Find out how much binding a quilt needs and how much fabric to buy. Enter the quilt size, your strip width and the fabric width, and get the total length, the number of strips to cut and the yardage, with straight-grain or bias options.
Last updated:
Quilt
in
in
Binding
in
2½ in is standard for double-fold; 2¼ in gives a narrower binding.
in
Cut strips
in
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Quilt Binding Calculator
Enter the quilt width and length after quilting and trimming.
Choose the strip width and binding type (double-fold is most common).
Pick the fabric width and whether you cut straight strips or bias.
Press Calculate binding to see the strips to cut, the total length and the fabric to buy.
Cut, join and press the strips, then sew them on with mitred corners.
Quilt binding formulas
Binding length = 2 × (width + length) + 10 to 12 in for corners and the final join. Strips = binding length ÷ usable strip length, rounded up (about 40 in per strip from 42–44 in cotton; each diagonal join uses roughly the strip width). Fabric = strips × strip width, rounded up to the next ⅛ yard. Continuous bias square ≈ √(binding length × strip width), plus a little for the seam.
Example: a 60 × 72 in throw needs 264 + 12 = 276 in. With 2½ in strips joined on the diagonal each strip adds about 37 in after the first, so 8 strips make about 300 in.
That is 8 × 2.5 = 20 in of fabric, so buy ⅝ yard.
Binding for standard quilt sizes
2½ in double-fold strips from 42–44 in fabric with diagonal joins, including 12 in extra and 2 in for straightening the fabric.
Quilt
Typical size
Binding length
Strips
Fabric
Baby
36 × 52 in
188 in
5
½ yd
Crib
45 × 60 in
222 in
6
½ yd
Lap / throw
50 × 65 in
242 in
7
⅝ yd
Twin
70 × 90 in
332 in
9
¾ yd
Full / double
84 × 90 in
360 in
10
¾ yd
Queen
90 × 108 in
408 in
11
⅞ yd
King
108 × 108 in
444 in
12
1 yd
Binding tips
Press double-fold strips in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, before sewing.
Start in the middle of one side, not at a corner, and leave a 6–8 in tail to join the ends neatly.
Buy a little extra if the fabric is directional or you want the joins to fall away from the corners.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much binding I need?
Add the four sides of the quilt (2 × width + 2 × length) and add about 10 to 12 inches for mitring the corners and joining the ends. A 60 × 72 inch quilt has a 264 inch perimeter, so you need about 276 inches of binding.
How many binding strips do I need?
Divide the binding length by the usable length of one strip. Strips cut across 42–44 inch quilting cotton give about 40 usable inches, or about 37 inches each once diagonal joins are taken off. For 276 inches of binding that is roughly 276 ÷ 37 ≈ 7.5, so cut 8 strips.
How much fabric do I need for binding?
Multiply the number of strips by the strip width. Eight 2½ inch strips need 20 inches of fabric, which rounds up to ⅝ yard (18 inches is ½ yard). Most throw and twin quilts need ½ to ¾ yard; queen and king quilts usually need ¾ to 1 yard.
What width should I cut binding strips?
2½ inches is the standard for double-fold binding on quilts with ordinary cotton batting, giving roughly a ⅜ inch finished binding. Many quilters use 2¼ inches for a narrower, snugger edge and 2¾ to 3 inches for thick or wool batting.
When should I use bias binding?
Bias strips stretch and ease around curves, scalloped edges and rounded corners, and wear well because no single thread runs along the fold. Straight-grain binding is quicker to cut and is fine for quilts with straight edges.
Why join binding strips with a diagonal seam?
A 45° seam spreads the bulk of the seam allowance along the binding instead of stacking it in one spot, so the joins lie flat and are almost invisible. Each diagonal join uses a little more length than a straight join, which the calculator allows for.
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.