Fabric and curtains
Sizes are in inches (or cm): type 84, 84 1/2 or 84.5. Add one item for each window, or pick Piece to cut for cushions, tablecloths and other sewing. Everything is saved on this device.
About the fabric calculator
This free fabric calculator tells you how many yards (or metres) of fabric to buy. It is made for curtains and drapes first: enter the rod width and the length, pick the fullness, and it works out how many widths of fabric you need, how long to cut each one, and the total to buy.
It also works for any sewing project. Add pieces like cushion covers, a tablecloth or napkins, and it lays them out across the fabric width to find the length you need.
Features
- Curtain widths — rod width × fullness ÷ panels, plus side hems, in whole or half widths of fabric
- Cut length — finished length + bottom hem + top hem or heading
- Pattern repeat — each cut is rounded up to whole repeats, plus one repeat to match the pattern
- Fullness presets — 1.5× flat panels, 2× gathered, 2.5× pinch pleats, 3× sheers
- Pieces to cut — any list of rectangles laid across the fabric width, turned when the print allows it
- Fabric widths — 45, 54, 60 and 108 in (110, 140, 150 and 280 cm), or your own
- Yards and metres — rounded up to the next 1/4 yard (or 10 cm) to buy, with the cost
- Saved on this device — your list is still there in the fabric shop
How curtain fabric is worked out
Curtains are made of widths: lengths of fabric cut from the bolt and sewn side by side. Three numbers decide how many you need:
- Width of one panel = rod width × fullness ÷ number of panels + side hems. A pair of 2× curtains on a 60 in rod: 60 × 2 ÷ 2 + 6 = 66 in per panel.
- Widths per panel = panel width ÷ fabric width, rounded up to a half. 66 ÷ 54 = 1.22, so 1.5 widths. Half widths are fine: you cut one width down the middle and share it between the two panels.
- Cut length = finished length + bottom hem + top hem. 84 + 8 + 6 = 98 in.
So a pair of curtains needs 3 widths × 98 in = 294 in = 8.17 yd. With 5% extra that is 8.58 yd, and you buy 8.75 yd.
The hems the calculator starts with:
- Bottom hem: 8 in (20 cm) — a double 4 in hem, which helps the curtain hang straight
- Top hem or heading: 6 in (15 cm) — a rod pocket or the fold for heading tape
- Side hems: 6 in (15 cm) for one panel — a double 1.5 in hem on each side
Change them under Hems if your pattern says something else.
How much fullness do I need?
Fullness is how much wider the fabric is than the rod. More fullness gives deeper folds.
| Curtain style | Fullness |
|---|---|
| Flat panel, tab top, grommets | 1.5–2× |
| Gathered rod pocket, pencil pleat tape | 2–2.5× |
| Pinch pleats | 2.5× |
| Sheers and voile | 2.5–3× |
For the rod width, measure the rod or track from end to end. Add the returns (the ends that bend back to the wall) and an overlap in the middle if your curtains meet there.
Worked examples
These numbers come from the calculator: 54 in fabric, the hems above and 5% extra.
| Window | Fullness | Widths × cut length | To buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 in rod, 84 in long, a pair | 2× | 3 × 98 in | 8.75 yd |
| 96 in rod, 84 in long, a pair | 2.5× | 5 × 98 in | 14.5 yd |
| 60 in rod, 84 in long, 27 in pattern repeat | 2× | 3 × 108 in + 1 repeat | 10.25 yd |
| 72 in rod, 95 in long sheers, a pair | 3× | 5 × 109 in | 16 yd |
| 40 in rod, 63 in long, one panel | 1.5× | 2 × 77 in | 4.5 yd |
| 3 windows of 60 in × 84 in | 2× | 9 × 98 in | 25.75 yd |
With a pattern repeat: a cut of 98 in becomes 4 repeats of 27 in = 108 in, so every width starts at the same point of the print. One more repeat per window lets you choose where the pattern starts. 3 × 108 + 27 = 351 in = 9.75 yd, and 10.24 yd with 5% extra — buy 10.25 yd.
In metres: a pair of 2× curtains on a 150 cm rail, 220 cm long, from 140 cm fabric: 1.5 widths per panel, 3 widths of 255 cm = 7.65 m, and 8.1 m to buy with 5% extra.
Fabric for other sewing
Pick Piece to cut and enter each piece (width × length) and how many. The calculator puts the pieces in rows across the fabric, longest first, and adds up the rows.
| Project | Fabric | Fabric to buy |
|---|---|---|
| 8 squares of 17 × 17 in (4 cushion covers, front and back) | 54 in | 3 rows of 17 in = 51 in → 1.5 yd |
| Tablecloth 60 × 108 in + 4 napkins 20 × 20 in | 60 in | 108 + 20 + 20 = 148 in → 4.5 yd |
Tick Pieces can be turned only for plain fabric without a nap or a one-way print. The calculator then tries the pieces both ways and keeps the shorter layout. Remember to add seam allowances to each piece before you type it.
Frequently asked questions
How much fabric do I need for curtains?
Multiply the rod width by the fullness, divide by the fabric width and round up: that is the number of widths. Multiply by the cut length (finished length + hems). A pair of 2× curtains on a 60 in rod, 84 in long, needs 3 widths of 98 in — about 8.75 yards of 54 in fabric.
What is a "width" of fabric?
A width is one piece cut from the bolt. It is as wide as the fabric (from selvage to selvage) and as long as your cut length. Three widths of 98 in are 294 in, or 8.17 yards.
How do I add the pattern repeat?
Round each cut length up to a whole number of repeats, and add one repeat per window. The calculator does both when you type the repeat.
What fabric width should I use?
Use the width on the bolt label. Home decor fabric is usually 54 in (140 cm). Quilting cotton is 44/45 in (110 cm), so you need more widths. Extra wide fabric (108 in or 280 cm) is often used for sheers.
How much extra fabric should I buy?
About 5% for small mistakes. Cotton and linen can shrink 3–5% in the first wash, so wash the fabric first or buy 10%.
Does the calculator include lining?
Not as its own line. Lining is usually a little narrower and shorter. Add a second window item with the lining sizes, or use the same numbers for a close guess.
Related tools
- Wallpaper Calculator — rolls for the walls, with the pattern repeat
- Knitting Gauge Calculator — stitches and rows for knitting
- Inches to cm — measurements from a pattern
- Online Ruler — a ruler on your screen
- Unit Converter — yards, metres, inches and cm
How to use it
- Choose Feet & inches or Metres & cm
- Enter the rod or track width and the finished length of the first window. Use Add another window or piece for more
- For other sewing, change the item to Piece to cut and enter its width and length
- Pick the fabric width, the fullness and panels per window
- Type the pattern repeat if the fabric has one, and a price per yard if you want the cost
- Read the yards to buy and the cut lengths, then press Copy the list
