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Circle Skirt Calculator

Enter your waist and skirt length to draft a full, three-quarter, half or quarter circle skirt. The calculator gives the waist and hem radii to mark on your fabric, how much fabric to buy and a cutting layout for your fabric width.

Last updated:

Skirt type
Units
Measurements

From the waist seam to the hem.

⅝ in = 1.5 cm is standard.

Fabric

Selvedge to selvedge minus trimming: 44 in, 58–60 in, 114 cm, 150 cm…

Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Circle Skirt Calculator

  1. Choose the skirt type: full circle for the most swing, half or quarter for less fullness and less fabric.
  2. Measure your waist where the skirt will sit and decide the finished length.
  3. Enter seam and hem allowances and the usable width of your fabric.
  4. Mark the radii from a corner or fold of the fabric with a tape measure, following the layout diagram.
  5. Buy the fabric length shown, plus a little extra for shrinkage and a waistband.

Circle skirt formulas

  • Waist radius r = waist ÷ (2π × fraction), where the fraction is 1 for a full circle, 0.75 for ¾, 0.5 for a half and 0.25 for a quarter circle
  • Waist cutting radius = r − seam allowance
  • Outer radius R = r + skirt length + hem allowance
  • Hem circumference = 2π × (r + length) × fraction

Example: a 28 in waist and 22 in length for a full circle: r = 28 ÷ 6.283 = 4.46 in, cut the waist at 4.46 − 0.625 = 3.83 in, and R = 4.46 + 22 + 0.5 = 26.96 in. One full circle needs a 54 in square, which fits on 58 in wide fabric: about 1½ yards.

Waist radius quick reference

WaistFull circleHalf circleQuarter circle
24 in (61 cm)3.82 in (9.7 cm)7.64 in (19.4 cm)15.28 in (38.8 cm)
26 in (66 cm)4.14 in (10.5 cm)8.28 in (21.0 cm)16.55 in (42.0 cm)
28 in (71 cm)4.46 in (11.3 cm)8.91 in (22.6 cm)17.83 in (45.3 cm)
30 in (76 cm)4.77 in (12.1 cm)9.55 in (24.3 cm)19.10 in (48.5 cm)
32 in (81 cm)5.09 in (12.9 cm)10.19 in (25.9 cm)20.37 in (51.7 cm)
34 in (86 cm)5.41 in (13.7 cm)10.82 in (27.5 cm)21.65 in (55.0 cm)
36 in (91 cm)5.73 in (14.6 cm)11.46 in (29.1 cm)22.92 in (58.2 cm)

Radii are before seam allowance. Centimetre values are converted from the inch radius.

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate the waist radius for a circle skirt?

For a full circle skirt, radius = waist ÷ 2π (about waist ÷ 6.283). A half circle uses waist ÷ π, and a quarter circle waist ÷ (π ÷ 2). A 28 in waist gives a full circle radius of 4.46 in.

How much fabric do I need for a circle skirt?

The pieces need squares or rectangles of side R, where R = waist radius + length + hem allowance. A full circle cut in one piece needs a 2R square; on narrower fabric it is cut as two halves or four quarters. The calculator picks the layout that uses the least length for your fabric width.

Why is the cutting radius smaller than the waist radius?

The seam allowance is added inside the circle, so the cutting line sits one seam allowance closer to the centre. When you sew the waistband on at the seam line, the waist opening is the right size.

Should I make the waist smaller for stretchy fabric?

Many sewists subtract 1–2 in (2–5 cm) from the waist measurement because the curved waist edge is on the bias and stretches. Stay-stitch the waist right after cutting and try it on before attaching the waistband.

What is the difference between a full, half and quarter circle skirt?

A full circle skirt is a complete ring of fabric with lots of swing and drape. A half circle uses half the fabric and is less full; a quarter circle is closer to an A-line skirt. A ¾ circle is in between.

Why does my circle skirt hem look uneven?

Parts of the hem fall on the bias and stretch more than the straight-grain parts. Let the skirt hang for 24 hours before hemming, then level the hem from the floor.

Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?

Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.

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