Quilt binding calculator
Find straight-grain binding strip count, joined length and fabric yardage. Include diagonal or straight strip joins and a separate allowance for corners, tails and the final closure.
Plan binding strips
Enter the actual quilt dimensions and the cut width of your strips. Common double-fold cut widths are 2¼ or 2½ inches, but use the width required by your technique. Usable fabric width is what remains after removing selvages. This planner cuts strips across the grain; it does not calculate continuous bias binding.
Planned borders increase the outer top size automatically. For a quilt that already has borders, enter its measured size and set planned border widths to zero. The outer top is a planning estimate: quilting can change its size, so remeasure before cutting binding.
Method and example
The required joined length is 2 × (outer width + outer length) plus your total working allowance. A square-overlap diagonal join loses one cut-strip width from the chain; a straight join loses twice its seam allowance. For n strips, joined length is n × usable fabric width − (n − 1) × join loss. We find the smallest whole strip count that covers the target.
The working allowance separately covers the final closure join, corners and tails. Its default is an editable 10 in, not a universal sewing requirement. Fabric cut depth is strip count × cut width. Add the optional bolt-length reserve and round the purchase upward.
Example: a 48 × 60 in quilt has a 216 in perimeter. With 10 in extra, 42 in usable fabric width and 2½ in strips joined diagonally, six strips provide 239½ in after five joins. Cut depth is 15 in; buying in ⅛ yd increments rounds that to ½ yd.
Technique and limits
Diagonal joins between crossgrain strips do not turn them into bias binding. Curved or scalloped edges need a different plan. This tool does not account for pattern matching, shrinkage or binding made from mixed scraps.
Independent references: Sewing & Craft Alliance’s binding guide (PDF) explains crossgrain strips and diagonal joins; the APQS binding strip chart (PDF) accounts for length consumed by joins.