Quilt Backing & Binding Calculator
Enter your quilt top size — get backing yardage (with the piecing layout), batting size, and binding strips & yardage instantly. Works at the cutting table, no signup.
width
×
length
Backing piece needed
Backing layout
Backing fabric to buy
Batting size
Binding strips
Binding fabric to buy
Total fabric (backing + binding)
How the math works
All the calculator does is honest craft geometry — here's every formula, so you can double-check it against the back of an envelope:
- Backing piece = quilt top + your overhang on all four sides (top + 2×overhang by length + 2×overhang).
- Piecing: if the backing width doesn't fit in one usable width-of-fabric, it's pieced with vertical seams — 2 panels for standard widths, so backing yardage = 2 × backing length ÷ 36.
- Batting = quilt top + 2″ overhang per side on all four sides (packaged batting sizing).
- Binding: perimeter = 2×(width + length) + your extra; strips = perimeter ÷ usable WOF, rounded up; binding yardage = strips × strip width ÷ 36.
- All yardage rounds up to the nearest 1/8 yard — shops cut generously and you'll never regret having a strip left over.
New to backings? Read our guide on quilt sizes and how pre-cuts compare to yardage.