Quilt Binding Calculator
Estimate straight-grain binding strips, including the length lost at each diagonal join.
Calculator
Calculated in your browser. These measurements are not sent to the server.
Result
- Required binding
- 292 in (741.68 cm)
- Strips
- 8
- Usable binding
- 318.5 in (808.99 cm)
- Purchase
- 5/8 yd (0.625 yd). Exact length 0.5556 yd, rounded up to the next 0.125 yd.
This is straight-grain binding. Each diagonal strip join consumes one strip width of running length.
Usable binding is n × width of fabric − (n − 1) × strip width.
Required binding is the perimeter plus the extra length you enter.
Continuous bias yield is not calculated here.
Cut / purchase plan
Strips8
Joins7
Join loss each2.5 in (6.35 cm)
Fabric length20 in (50.8 cm)
Purchase5/8 yd (0.625 yd). Exact length 0.5556 yd, rounded up to the next 0.125 yd.
| Strips | Joins | Join loss each | Fabric length | Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 2.5 in (6.35 cm) | 20 in (50.8 cm) | 5/8 yd (0.625 yd). Exact length 0.5556 yd, rounded up to the next 0.125 yd. |
How this calculation works
Required binding is twice the width plus height, plus the extra length you enter. Twelve inches is the suggested extra length on this site. It is not a universal binding rule.
Usable binding from n strips is n × usable width − (n − 1) × strip width. Each diagonal join consumes about one strip width.
Fabric length is the strip count times the strip width. That length is converted to yards or meters and rounded up.
Worked example
60 by 80 in quilt, 12 in extra, 2.5 in strips, 42 in usable width
Required binding is 2 × (60 + 80) + 12 = 292 in.
Seven strips give 279 in, which is short. Eight strips give 318.5 in.
Eight strips at 2.5 in use 20 in of fabric, 0.556 yd, which rounds up to 5/8 yd.
Assumptions and limitations
- Joins are diagonal. A straight join would lose a different amount and is not modeled.
- Strip width, usable width, extra length, and the purchase increment can all be changed.
- Suggested starts are 2.5 in strips, 42 in usable width, and 12 in extra length.
- Continuous bias yield is not calculated on this page.
- Binding finish width after folding is not derived from the cut strip width.
Common questions
Is 12 inches of extra binding required?
No. It is this site’s conservative starting value. Some published examples use 10 inches. Change the field to match the overlap you want.
Does this include bias binding?
No. This is straight-grain binding. The bias page shows only a theoretical minimum square and does not promise a cutting yield.