Sewing & Fabric Calculators
Clothing Fabric Yardage Calculator
Use this clothing fabric yardage calculator to estimate how much fabric you need to sew a garment when you don't have the pattern envelope handy. Choose the garment, size, and fabric width, and get yardage for both 44-inch and 60-inch fabric so you can shop with confidence.
Last reviewed: June 2026
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Your result will appear here after you press Calculate.
These are estimates for woven fabric without a pattern. Always check the pattern envelope when you have it; ease, style lines, and seam allowances vary.
Formula used
The calculator starts from a typical yardage and adjusts for your choices:
- Base yards = typical fabric for the garment on 44-inch fabric (adult medium)
- × size factor (smaller sizes use less, larger sizes more)
- 60-inch fabric ≈ 72% of the 44-inch yardage
- +10% for napped or one-way fabric
- Rounded up to the nearest 1/8 yard
Worked examples
Knee-length dress, size M, 44-inch fabric
A knee-length dress in medium needs about 2.75 yards of 44-inch fabric, or roughly 2 yards on 60-inch fabric.
Button-up shirt, size XL, napped fabric
An XL button-up shirt in a directional corduroy needs about 3.25 yards of 44-inch fabric once the size and 10% nap allowance are included.
How to use this calculator
- Choose the garment you want to sew.
- Select the size — the estimate scales from child up to adult 3XL.
- Pick the fabric width you plan to buy (44 or 60 inches).
- Tell the calculator whether the fabric is napped or directional, then press Calculate.
Reference chart
| Garment | Approx. yards (44") | Approx. yards (60") |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirt | 1.5 | 1.125 |
| Button-up shirt | 2.5 | 1.75 |
| A-line skirt | 1.75 | 1.25 |
| Trousers | 2.5 | 1.75 |
| Knee-length dress | 2.75 | 2 |
| Maxi dress | 3.75 | 2.75 |
Frequently asked questions
How much fabric do I need to make a dress?
A knee-length dress in a medium size usually needs about 2.5–3 yards of 44-inch fabric, while a maxi dress needs around 3.5–4 yards. Wider 60-inch fabric reduces these by roughly a quarter. Enter your garment and size for a tailored figure.
How many yards to make a shirt?
A simple T-shirt needs about 1.5 yards of 44-inch fabric, and a button-up shirt about 2.5 yards in a medium size. Long sleeves, larger sizes, and directional prints all add a little. The calculator adjusts for each.
Does fabric width change how much I buy?
Yes. Wider fabric lets you fit pattern pieces side by side, so 60-inch fabric typically needs about 28% less length than 44-inch fabric for the same garment. The calculator shows both so you can compare prices.
What is napped fabric and why does it need more?
Napped or one-way fabrics — like velvet, corduroy, and many printed designs — look different depending on direction, so every pattern piece must be cut the same way. That layout wastes a little fabric, so add about 10%.
Is this as accurate as the pattern envelope?
The pattern envelope is always the most accurate source because it accounts for the exact pattern pieces and layout. This calculator is a reliable estimate for shopping or planning when you don't have the pattern in front of you.
Should I buy extra fabric just in case?
Buying a quarter to half a yard extra is wise. It covers prewash shrinkage, cutting errors, pattern matching, and lets you make a coordinating accessory or test your stitches on a scrap first.