QuiltMeasure

Quilt Binding Calculator

Enter your quilt size and fabric details to see how many binding strips to cut, how they join together, and exactly how much fabric to buy.

Measurements

Measurement system

Enter inches as a decimal or fraction, like 42, 42 1/2, 42-1/2, or 1/2. In centimeters, enter a decimal like 106.5.

The cuttable width after removing selvage.

The width of each binding strip before folding. A 2.5-inch strip is a common starting point, but the calculator uses the entered cut width directly.

Not sure what width to enter? Compare common options in the Quilt Binding Width Chart.

Additional working length for turning corners and closing the two binding tails. The default is 15 inches, a practical starting point rather than a fixed quilting rule — it's adjustable, including down to zero.

Purchase amount

Rounding always goes upward, so the recommended purchase amount never falls below the calculated requirement.

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Understanding the terms

Full-width strips, strip-to-strip joins, and closing the binding

A strip is one length of fabric cut straight across the usable fabric width.The strip-join count covers joins made before attaching the binding. The two binding tails are joined or overlapped separately when the binding is closed.

Extra binding allowance

This is working length added on top of the quilt's perimeter, covering both turning the four corners and closing the two tails. The default of 15 inches (38.1 cm) is a practical starting point, not a universal quilting rule — adjust it for more handling room or a preferred closing method, including down to zero.

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About the results

What this calculator covers

This calculator covers rectangular quilts with straight edges and continuous binding made from full-width fabric strips, using double-fold construction and mitered corners.

It does not calculate bias binding, curved or scalloped edges, single-fold binding, flange binding, or self-bound finishes.