Quilt Blueprint

Quilt binding calculator

How many binding strips to cut, and how much fabric that takes.
Quilt size
Width
in
Length
in
Strip width
in
2½ in (6.4 cm) is the usual double-fold binding
Binding fabric to buy
½

yd

7 strips 2½ in wide, cut across the fabric and joined: 240 in of binding for a 230 in edge.
Strips to cut

7 strips

How this is worked out

Binding goes all the way round the quilt: the perimeter is twice the width plus twice the length. Add about 10 in for the corners and for joining the ends.
Strips are cut across the fabric (about 42 in long) and joined end to end with diagonal seams; each join uses about one strip-width of length, so each strip counts as 42 in minus the strip width.
The fabric to buy is the number of strips times the strip width, rounded up to the next ⅛ yd. 2½ in strips make a standard double-fold binding; 2¼ in a slimmer one.

Questions

How many binding strips for a throw quilt?

A 50 × 65 in throw needs 7 strips 2½ in wide — ½ yd of fabric.

How many binding strips for a queen quilt?

A 90 × 95 in queen needs 10 strips 2½ in wide — ¾ yd of fabric.

What width should binding strips be?

2½ in is the most common for a double-fold binding on a cotton quilt with standard batting. Use 2¼ in for a narrower look, 2¾ in for a thick batting.

Plan the whole quilt

Plan a quilt
Size, block and layout in — every cut, the fabric to buy, backing, binding and batting out.

More calculators

Quilt size chart
Standard quilt sizes from baby to king, in inches and centimetres, and a size for your own bed.
Quilt backing calculator
How much fabric the back of your quilt needs, and how to piece it.
Quilt batting calculator
Which batting size to buy for your quilt, or how much off the roll.