Quilt Binding Calculator
Enter your quilt size and strip width — get the exact binding yardage, number of strips to cut and total joined length. Presets for baby to king quilts.
Calculate binding fabric
Double-fold binding cut from width-of-fabric strips.
How quilt binding math works
Binding covers the quilt's edge, so you need one length of it equal to the whole perimeter, plus a little for the diagonal joins and the start/finish overlap:
Strips are joined end-to-end with diagonal seams so the bulk never stacks in one spot, then pressed in half lengthwise for double-fold binding.
Worked example: 60 × 80 in quilt
Eight strips of 2.5-inch binding give 320 inches of joined length — about 30 inches of comfortable slack for seams, corners and the final join.
Binding yardage by quilt size
| Quilt | Finished size (in) | Binding length | Strips @ 40 in | Yardage (2.5 in) | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 36 × 48 | 186 in | 5 | ⅜ yd | ½ yd |
| Lap / throw | 52 × 65 | 230 in | 6 | ⅖ yd | ½ yd |
| Twin | 64 × 86 | 330 in | 9 | ⅝ yd | ¾ yd |
| Queen | 84 × 92 | 380 in | 10 | 11/16 yd | ¾ yd |
| King | 100 × 92 | 410 in | 11 | ¾ yd | ⅞ yd |
All rows assume 42-inch cotton (40 in usable) and the standard 2.5-inch strip. The calculator handles any size, strip width and fabric width.
Frequently asked questions
How much binding do I need for my quilt?
Add up the quilt's perimeter — 2 × (width + length) — then add about 10 inches for joins and corners. Divide by the usable fabric width and round up to get the number of strips, then multiply strips by strip width for yardage. A 60 × 80 inch quilt needs roughly ⅝ yard.
How wide should quilt binding strips be?
2.5 inches is the standard for double-fold (French fold) binding. Use 2.25 inches for mini quilts, 3 inches for high-loft batting where the fold has to reach further.
How many strips of binding do I need?
Binding length ÷ usable fabric width, rounded up. In 42-inch cotton you get about 40 usable inches per strip, so a 290-inch binding needs 8 strips.
Do I need bias binding?
Straight-of-grain strips are fine for straight edges. Bias binding is required for curved or scalloped edges and wears longer on bed quilts, but needs more fabric — cut from a square of side ≈ √(binding length × strip width).
How much extra binding fabric should I buy?
Round up to the next ⅛ yard and cut one extra strip if in doubt. Binding fabric is cheap insurance — leftover strips are never wasted on future quilts.