What strip width should I use for double-fold binding?

Most quilters use 2.25 to 2.5 inches for a double-fold (French) binding sewn with a 1/4-inch seam. A 2.5-inch strip gives a slightly fuller binding on thicker quilts.

Why is a 12-inch joining allowance added?

The extra 12 inches accounts for diagonal seams when joining strips end-to-end and for starting and finishing the binding at the corners. It is better to have a little extra than to run out.

What usable fabric width should I enter?

Most quilting cotton is 42 to 44 inches wide off the bolt, but after washing and removing selvedges the usable width is typically 40 to 42 inches. Enter the actual width of your pressed, trimmed fabric.

How do I convert the yardage to meters?

Multiply the yardage by 0.9144 to convert to meters. For example, 0.5 yards equals about 0.46 meters.

Does this work for bias binding?

Yes. Enter the same dimensions. The only difference for bias binding is that you cut strips on the diagonal, which gives more stretch. The total length calculation is identical.

Quilt Binding Calculator

Enter your quilt dimensions and binding strip width to get the exact yardage of binding fabric you need.

Quilt & Fabric Dimensions

Quilt Width (inches)

Quilt Height (inches)

Binding Strip Width (inches)

Standard double-fold: 2.25 – 2.5 inches

Usable Fabric Width (inches)

Typically 40 – 42 inches after washing

Results

Fill in the fields and click Calculate.

Summary

This quilt binding calculator figures out exactly how much binding fabric you need by computing the quilt perimeter, adding a joining allowance, then telling you how many strips to cut from your fabric and the total yardage required. Just enter the quilt dimensions, your strip width, and the fabric width to get precise results every time.

How it works

Enter the quilt width and height in inches.
Set the binding strip width (typically 2.25 to 2.5 inches for double-fold binding).
Enter the usable fabric width (usually 40 to 44 inches after washing).
The calculator computes the perimeter plus a 12-inch joining allowance.
It divides the total by fabric width to find the number of strips to cut.
The result shows total binding length, number of strips, and yardage needed.

Use cases

Plan fabric purchases before starting a quilt project.
Calculate binding strips for quilts of any size — from baby to king.
Avoid running short of binding midway through finishing a quilt.
Compare different strip widths to decide on binding style.
Quickly estimate binding for multiple quilts in a batch.
Double-check a pattern's binding yardage estimate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-05-28 · Reviewed by Nham Vu