Quilt binding calculator
Buy 0.625 yd of binding fabric. The quilt needs 290.0 in of binding; the strips joined end to end make 302.5 in, which leaves 12.5 in to spare.
Result
Binding fabric to buy
yd
Strips to cut
pcs
Binding length needed
in
Length the joined strips make
in
Spare length
in
Fabric the strips take up
in
How it works
Binding runs all the way around the quilt, so the length is the perimeter plus extra for turning the four corners and for joining the two ends. The strips are cut across the fabric and sewn end to end, and every join uses up some length: a diagonal join, the usual kind because it spreads the bulk, takes about one strip width. Charts that simply divide the length by the fabric width come out a strip short on some sizes. The tool answers how many binding strips you need and how much fabric for quilt binding that is, for example binding yardage for a queen quilt, and it shows the spare length so you can judge the quilt binding strips yourself.
Formula
binding length = 2 × (width + length) + extra. Each strip is as long as the usable fabric width. A diagonal join uses up one strip width of length; a straight join uses 1/2 in. Strips = the fewest whose total length, less the joins, reaches the binding length. Fabric = strips × strip width, rounded up to the buying step.
Worked example
The calculator opens with this example; the result above is computed from it.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Quilt width | 60 in |
| Quilt length | 80 in |
| Width of the binding strips | 2.5 in |
| Usable fabric width | 40 in |
| Extra length | 10 in |
| How the strips are joined | Diagonal joins |
| Round the amount up to | The next eighth of a yard |
| Binding fabric to buy | 0.625 yd |
| Strips to cut | 8 pcs |
| Binding length needed | 290.0 in |
| Length the joined strips make | 302.5 in |
| Spare length | 12.5 in |
| Fabric the strips take up | 20.00 in |
Common cases
| Case | Starting values | Binding fabric to buy | Strips to cut | Binding length needed | Length the joined strips make | Spare length | Fabric the strips take up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Throw quilt | Quilt width 60 in; Quilt length 72 in; Width of the binding strips 2.5 in; Usable fabric width 40 in; Extra length 10 in | 0.625 yd | 8 pcs | 274.0 in | 302.5 in | 28.5 in | 20.00 in |
| Queen quilt | Quilt width 88 in; Quilt length 104 in; Width of the binding strips 2.5 in; Usable fabric width 40 in; Extra length 10 in | 0.875 yd | 11 pcs | 394.0 in | 415.0 in | 21.0 in | 27.50 in |
| Baby quilt with narrow binding | Quilt width 45 in; Quilt length 45 in; Width of the binding strips 2.25 in; Usable fabric width 40 in; Extra length 10 in | 0.375 yd | 5 pcs | 190.0 in | 191.0 in | 1.0 in | 11.25 in |
| Full quilt on wider fabric | Quilt width 82 in; Quilt length 96 in; Width of the binding strips 2.5 in; Usable fabric width 42 in; Extra length 10 in | 0.750 yd | 10 pcs | 366.0 in | 397.5 in | 31.5 in | 25.00 in |
Questions and answers
How many binding strips do I need for a queen quilt?
A quilt of 88 in by 104 in needs 394.0 in of binding. Strips 2.5 in wide, cut across 40 in of fabric and joined on the diagonal, make 415.0 in between them. They take up 27.50 in of fabric, so buy 0.875 yd.
How much fabric do I need for quilt binding?
For a throw quilt of 60 in by 72 in, the binding is 274.0 in long. Cut in strips 2.5 in wide it takes up 20.00 in of fabric: buy 0.625 yd.
Assumptions and limits
- A diagonal join overlaps two strips by one strip width; a straight join uses a quarter inch from each strip.
- The extra covers the four mitered corners and the final join. Thick batting or a wide binding may need more.
- Strips are cut across the fabric from selvage to selvage and are as long as the usable width.
- The tool is for straight-grain binding. Bias binding for curved edges is cut differently and is not covered.
The result is an estimate for planning, not professional advice.
Sources
- Linda's: quilt binding size chart (perimeter + 10 in, divided by 42 in, 2.5 in strips)retrieved 2026-10-13
- My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe: how to calculate quilt binding (10 to 12 in extra, 40 in usable width, worked example)retrieved 2026-10-13
Last updated:
Method in depth: Quilt binding: strips, joins and extra length
Cite this page: Quilt Math, “Quilt binding calculator”, https://quilt-math.pages.dev/backing-and-binding/quilt-binding-calculator/ (updated 13 October 2026).
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