Quilt Binding Calculator
Binding wraps the raw edges of a quilt, so you need enough to circle the perimeter plus a margin for the corners and the join. Enter your quilt's finished width and length, your strip width, the usable fabric width and a corner-and-join margin, and this tool returns the binding length, the number of strips to cut and the fabric needed.
Quilt binding formula
Binding length = 2 * (width + length) + margin
Strips to cut = ceil(binding length / usable fabric width)
Fabric inches = strips * strip width
Fabric yards = fabric inches / 36
The margin covers mitred corners and the diagonal join. Strips are cut selvage to selvage and seamed end to end into one continuous binding.
Worked example
A 60 by 80 inch quilt has a perimeter of 2 times (60 plus 80) = 280 inches; add a 12 inch margin for 292 inches of binding. With 40 inch usable fabric width, strips = ceil(292 / 40) = ceil(7.3) = 8 strips. At 2.5 inch strip width that is 8 times 2.5 = 20 inches of fabric, or 20 / 36 = 0.56 yards.
Quilt binding: frequently asked questions
How much binding does a quilt need?
The binding must go all the way around the quilt's perimeter plus extra for corners and the join. Perimeter is two times (width plus length). Add a margin (commonly about 10 to 12 inches) for mitred corners and the closing seam.
How many binding strips do I cut?
Divide the total binding length by the usable width of your fabric (typically about 40 inches of usable width on 42 to 44 inch fabric after selvages), then round up. Each strip is cut to your chosen strip width across the fabric.
How much fabric does the binding use?
Multiply the number of strips by the strip width to get the fabric length needed down the bolt, then divide by 36 for yards. This calculator reports both inches and yards so you can buy with a little extra.
What strip width should I use?
Common double-fold (French) binding strips are cut about 2.25 to 2.5 inches wide. Enter your preferred width. Wider strips give a fuller binding and use more fabric. The default here is editable.
Sources and notes
- The calculation is geometry: binding equals the quilt perimeter plus a margin, and strips equal binding length divided by usable fabric width.
- Strip width, usable width and margin are your choices; this tool assumes no fixed fabric width.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 19 June 2026. See our methodology.