Craft & Making
Fabric Meterage Calculator
Enter piece count, cut length and fabric width to estimate metres to buy.
How much fabric should I buy?
Fabric buying mistakes usually come from ignoring bolt width: wide cloth fits more pattern pieces across each row, so you need less length for the same cut list. Enter how many pieces you need, each piece’s cut length and width, and the usable fabric width. The tool finds pieces per row (floor of fabric width ÷ piece width), rows required, then metres as rows × piece length with an optional waste percentage for matching, nap and shrinkage. Pattern repeats and one-way prints need extra length that plain maths will miss unless you raise waste. Cross-check the pattern envelope when sewing garments. For other flat-layout packing ideas see labels per sheet.
Worked example
Four pieces each 60 × 45 cm on 140 cm-wide fabric fit 3 per row, so 2 rows. Length = 2 × 0.60 m = 1.20 m; with 10% waste ≈ 1.32 m. At £12/m ≈ £15.84.
Limits and assumptions
Ignores pattern repeats, directional prints and nap unless you increase waste. Selvedge reduces usable width versus the nominal bolt width.
Frequently asked questions
What is selvedge?
The finished factory edges of the bolt. Usable cutting width is often a little less than the labelled fabric width — measure what you can actually place pieces on.
Do I calculate lining separately?
Yes — run lining as its own fabric width, piece count and waste.
How much extra for shrinkage?
Pre-wash fabric when the project allows, or add a few percent to waste for fabrics that tighten in the laundry.
What if pieces are different sizes?
Group identical pieces per run, or use the largest piece dimensions as a conservative single estimate.