How much binding fabric for a quilt? (by size)
The amount of binding you need depends on the perimeter of your quilt, not its area. The table below estimates the strip count and binding-fabric yardage for common quilt sizes, using 2½-inch double-fold strips cut across 42-inch quilting cotton with 12 inches added for corners and joins (the calculator's defaults). Enter your exact size above to match your quilt.
| Quilt size | Quilt (in) | Strips (2½") | Binding fabric* |
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| Crib / Baby | 36 × 52 | 5 | ⅜ yd |
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| Throw / Lap | 50 × 65 | 6 | ½ yd |
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| Twin | 70 × 90 | 8 | ⅝ yd |
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| Full / Double | 85 × 108 | 10 | ¾ yd |
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| Queen | 90 × 108 | 10 | ¾ yd |
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| King | 108 × 108 | 11 | ⅞ yd |
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*Straight-grain 2½" strips from 42" wide cotton, 12" added for corners and diagonal joins, rounded up to the nearest ⅛ yard. Bias binding uses roughly 20% more.
How to calculate quilt binding
Binding wraps the entire edge, so the math starts with the perimeter (twice the width plus twice the length). Add a buffer for turning the four corners and joining the strip ends on the diagonal, divide by your usable fabric width to get the number of cross-grain strips, then multiply by the strip width to find the total fabric length. The "How it's calculated" panel above shows every step.
Straight-grain vs. bias binding
This tool calculates straight-grain (cross-grain) binding, which is the most common and the most fabric-efficient choice for quilts with straight edges. Choose bias binding, cut at 45°, only when you have curved or scalloped edges or want stripes and plaids to run diagonally; it uses about 20% more fabric, so multiply the result above by roughly 1.2.
Common questions
How much binding do I need for a quilt?
Binding has to wrap the whole edge, so you need at least the quilt perimeter (2 x width + 2 x length) plus about 12 inches (30 cm) extra for turning the four corners and joining the strip ends. A typical throw needs around ½ yard of binding fabric and a queen around ¾ yard at 2½-inch strips. Enter your quilt size above for the exact strip count and yardage.
How wide should quilt binding strips be?
2.5 inches (6.5 cm) is the most common choice for standard double-fold binding on a quilt with medium-loft batting. For thinner batting, try 2.25 inches; for thick or puffy batting, go up to 2.75 inches so the binding wraps cleanly around the edge.
What is double-fold binding?
Double-fold (also called French binding) means each strip is folded in half lengthwise before attaching to the quilt, so there are four fabric layers on the edge. This creates a durable, smooth binding. This calculator uses that convention for its strip-width math.
What does "extra for corners and joins" mean?
Binding turns four corners and has one diagonal join where the two ends of the strip are sewn together. 12 inches (30 cm) is a comfortable buffer for both. If you're binding a quilt with unusually thick corners or bulky seams, add a few extra inches.
Can I make a scrappy binding from multiple fabrics?
Absolutely. The "strips to cut" number tells you the total cross-grain strips you need. You can cut them from as many fabrics as you like, sew them end-to-end on the diagonal, and the total binding length will be the same.
Should I use straight-grain or bias binding?
Use straight-grain (cross-grain) binding for quilts with straight edges. It is the most common choice, the most fabric-efficient, and what this calculator estimates. Choose bias binding, cut at 45°, only when your quilt has curved, scalloped, or rounded edges, or when you want stripes and plaids to run diagonally. Bias gives the binding more stretch to ease around curves.
How does bias binding affect yardage?
This calculator is for straight-grain (cross-grain) binding, which is most common. Bias binding (cut at 45°) uses roughly 20% more fabric because of the diagonal cut. If you need bias binding, multiply the yardage result by about 1.2 as a rough guide.
How do I calculate binding for a quilt with rounded corners?
Estimate the binding length the same way (the perimeter plus a buffer), but use bias binding so it can curve smoothly around the corners without puckering, and add a little extra length for easing. Because bias uses about 20% more fabric, take this calculator's straight-grain result and multiply the yardage by roughly 1.2.
How do I calculate quilt binding by hand?
Add up the perimeter (twice the width plus twice the length) and add about 12 inches for corners and joins. Divide that total by your usable fabric width and round up to get the number of cross-grain strips. Multiply the strips by your strip width (usually 2½ inches) to get the fabric length, then divide by 36 and round up to the nearest ⅛ yard.