Quilt Binding Calculator
Enter the finished size of your quilt and the strip width you plan to cut. You will get the total binding length, the number of strips, and the yardage to buy.
By QuiltFigureUpdated 2 sources cited
2 1/2 in is standard for double-fold; 2 1/4 in gives a slimmer edge.
Width of fabric after trimming selvages (about 42 in for quilting cotton).
10 in is the usual minimum; add more if you are unsure.
Binding fabric to buy
½ yd
How much binding a quilt needs
Binding goes all the way round the quilt, so start with the perimeter: two times the width plus two times the length. Then add extra for the mitred corners and for joining the two ends. 10 inches is the usual minimum; many quilters add 12 to 20 to be safe.
Binding strips are cut across the width of fabric, about 42 inches for quilting cotton once the selvages are trimmed. Divide the binding length by that width and round up to get the number of strips. Multiply the strips by the strip width for the fabric length, then round up to the next 1/8 yard.
- Binding length = 2 × (width + length) + extra
- Strips = binding length ÷ usable fabric width, rounded up
- Fabric = strips × strip width, rounded up to 1/8 yard
Worked example
A 60 × 80 inch quilt has a perimeter of 280 inches. With 10 inches extra that is 290 inches. Divided by 42 inches that is 6.9, so cut 7 strips. Seven strips at 2 1/2 inches use 17 1/2 inches of fabric, so buy 1/2 yard.
How to make quilt binding strips
Cut the number of strips shown above across the width of fabric. Join them end to end with diagonal seams: lay one strip over another at a right angle, sew corner to corner, trim to 1/4 inch and press the seam open. Diagonal seams spread the bulk so they disappear once the binding is folded.
Press the long strip in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, to make double-fold binding. Sew it to the front of the quilt with raw edges together, mitre the quilt binding corners as you turn each corner, and join the two ends with one last diagonal seam. Then fold the binding to the back and stitch it down by hand or machine.
Quilt binding width: which strip size to cut
For double-fold binding, 2 1/2 inch strips are the most common and suit average-loft batting. Use 2 1/4 inches for a slimmer edge on thin batting, or 2 3/4 inches for a chunkier look on thick batting.
Planning the whole quilt? The quilt size chart gives the finished size for each bed, and the quilt backing calculator works out the back.
Common questions
How many binding strips do I need for a queen quilt?
An 84 × 102 inch queen quilt has a 372 inch perimeter. With 10 inches extra that is 382 inches, which needs 10 strips from 42 inch fabric. At 2 1/2 inches wide that is 25 inches of fabric, so buy 3/4 yard.
Does this work for bias binding?
This calculator is for straight-grain strips cut across the width of fabric. Bias binding is cut at 45 degrees and usually needs a little more fabric, so add an extra 1/4 yard to be safe.
Why do I need extra length?
Each mitred corner and the final join between the two ends uses some binding. Without the extra you can run short on the last side.
Can I use leftover fabric strips?
Yes. Scrappy binding made from leftover 2 1/2 inch strips works well. Just join enough strips to reach the binding length shown above.
Sources
- 1.Calculating Yardage for Binding — On Point Quilter — perimeter-based binding method: strips across the width of fabric, rounded up
- 2.Binding Calculator — Quilter's Paradise — straight-grain binding strips cut across the width of fabric
