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How many yards of binding fabric for any quilt size. Quick reference table plus the step-by-step formula for custom sizes.
Buy ½ yd and cut 7 strips at 2½″ across the width of the fabric.
Length to make
274″ of binding — 264″ around the quilt plus 10″ for the starting and ending tails and the closing join.
The working
274″ ÷ 40″ usable per strip = 7 strips; 7 × 2½″ = 17½″ off the bolt, rounded up to the next quarter yard.
Join the strips end to end on the diagonal, press the whole length in half, and you have double-fold binding. Curved or scalloped edges need bias instead — see the bias binding calculator.
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| Quilt Size | Yards |
|---|---|
| Baby / Crib | ½ yd |
| Throw / Lap | ½ yd |
| Twin | ¾ yd |
| Full / Double | ¾ yd |
| Queen | 1 yd |
| King | 1 yd |
2.5″-wide strips, 40″ usable per strip from 44″-wide fabric, perimeter + 10″ for the join, rounded up to the quarter yard.
| Cut Width | Finished Width | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2" | ~1/4" | Narrow, delicate look; less durable |
| 2.5" | ~3/8" | Standard double-fold; most common |
| 3" | ~1/2" | Wide binding; prominent finish; heavier quilts |
| Bias-cut 2.5" | ~3/8" | Curved edges, scalloped borders, durable finish |
A coordinating solid or a scrappy strip set both work well for binding.
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A queen quilt (90×108") needs 11 strips of 2.5"-wide binding — 396" around plus 10" for the join and tails, divided by 40" of usable strip length. That is 27.5" of fabric, or 0.76 yards; fabric is cut in quarter yards, so buy 1 yard and the round-up is your safety margin.
The standard for double-fold binding is 2.5"-wide strips. This produces a binding that is approximately 3/8" wide on the front and back of the finished quilt. For a wider binding (1/2"), cut strips 3" wide. For narrow binding (1/4"), cut strips 2" wide.
Measure the quilt perimeter: (width + height) × 2. Add 10" for joining strips and starting/ending tails. Divide by 40 (the usable strip length from 44"-wide fabric) and round up to get the number of strips. Multiply strips × 2.5 (strip width), divide by 36 for yards. Add 10% safety margin.
Straight-grain binding is cut parallel or perpendicular to the fabric selvage. It is easier, uses less fabric, and works well for square-cornered quilts. Bias binding is cut at a 45° angle and has more stretch — it is ideal for curved edges like clamshell or scalloped borders, and for binding quilts that will see heavy wear since it distributes stress differently at fold points.
Yes. Many quilters use leftover strips from the quilt top to make a scrappy binding. Sew the strips end-to-end on the bias (45° angle joins), press the seams open, and press the whole strip in half lengthwise. The total length needed is the quilt perimeter plus 10".
Dimensions, bed fit, batting, and backing math for every size on the quilt sizes chart.