About the Quilt Binding Calculator
This quilt binding calculator tells you how many binding strips to cut and how much fabric to buy. Enter the quilt width and length, the width you cut your binding strips, and how much extra length you like for mitred corners and joining the ends. It returns the total binding length, the number of width-of-fabric (WOF) strips and the yardage rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard.
It suits straight-grain double-fold binding, the most common finish for bed quilts, throws, wall hangings and table runners. Popular strip widths are 2 1/4" for a slim binding and 2 1/2" for a fuller one; wider strips such as 2 3/4" are used for thick battings or wool quilts.
The usable length per strip defaults to 40": standard 42–44" quilting cotton loses a little to selvages and to the diagonal seams used to join strips. If you cut from a fat quarter or a longer remnant, change that figure to match the length you can actually use.
With the default inputs, the binding fabric to buy is 0.5 yd. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the quilt binding calculator
- 1Measure the quilt after quilting and trimming, or use the planned top size.
- 2Choose your strip width — 2 1/2" is the most common double-fold binding.
- 3Keep the default 10" extra unless your method needs more.
- 4Check the usable strip length matches your fabric (40" for standard cotton).
- 5Buy the yardage shown and cut the listed number of strips.
Formula and method
The binding has to travel all the way around the quilt, so the starting point is the perimeter, 2 × (width + length). Extra length is added for the fold at each mitred corner and for overlapping and joining the two ends — 10" to 12" is the usual allowance.
That total is divided by the usable length of one width-of-fabric strip and rounded up to whole strips, since you cannot cut a partial strip across the fabric. The fabric you need is simply the number of strips multiplied by the strip width, converted from inches to yards and rounded up to the nearest ⅛ yard for buying. Bias binding is calculated differently; use the bias tape calculator for that.
- W, L
- Quilt width and length (inches)
- extra
- Allowance for corners and joining the ends
- usable
- Usable length of one strip (≈ 40" from 42–44" fabric)
Worked examples
60" × 72" throw, 2 1/2" strips
The perimeter is 2 × (60 + 72) = 264", plus 10" extra makes 274". At 40" per strip that is 6.85, so cut 7 strips. Seven 2.5" strips use 17.5" of fabric (0.49 yd), so buy 1/2 yard.
Queen 90" × 108", 2 1/4" strips, 12" extra
A queen quilt has a 396" perimeter; with 12" extra you need 408" of binding. That is 10.2 strips, rounded up to 11. Eleven 2.25" strips need 24.75" of fabric (0.69 yd), so buy 3/4 yard.
36" square baby quilt
A 36" square has a 144" perimeter; adding 10" gives 154", which needs 4 strips. Four 2.5" strips are 10" of fabric (0.28 yd), so a 3/8 yard cut — or a single fat quarter cut lengthwise with more strips — is enough.
Frequently asked questions
How wide should I cut quilt binding strips?+
For double-fold binding, 2 1/2" strips are the most popular and give a finished binding about 3/8" wide with a 1/4" seam. Cut 2 1/4" for a narrower, tighter binding or 2 3/4" to 3" for thick batting.
How much binding do I need for a queen quilt?+
A 90" × 108" queen quilt needs about 408" of binding including extra for corners and joins — 11 width-of-fabric strips. That is 3/4 yard of fabric for 2 1/4" strips (24.75") or 7/8 yard for 2 1/2" strips (27.5").
How much extra should I add for quilt binding?+
Add 10" to 12" to the perimeter. Each mitred corner uses a little extra length and you need a tail of several inches at each end to join the binding neatly.
Should binding be cut on the bias or straight grain?+
Straight-grain strips cut across the width of fabric are fine for quilts with straight edges and use less fabric. Bias binding stretches around curves and scalloped edges and wears more evenly, so use it for curved quilts or plaid fabrics.
How do I join binding strips?+
Place two strips right sides together at a right angle, sew diagonally from corner to corner, trim to 1/4" and press open. Diagonal seams spread the bulk so they are almost invisible once the binding is folded.