Sewing & Fabric Calculators
Upholstery Fabric Calculator
Reupholstering and not sure how much fabric to buy? This upholstery fabric calculator estimates yardage by furniture type, then adjusts for your pattern repeat and fabric width. Use it to budget a project and avoid the costly mistake of running out of a discontinued fabric.
Last reviewed: June 2026
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Your result will appear here after you press Calculate.
Upholstery yardage varies widely with style. Treat this as a budgeting estimate and confirm with your upholsterer before cutting.
Formula used
The estimate starts from a typical yardage for the piece, then adjusts:
- Base yards = standard yardage for the furniture type on 54-inch fabric
- × pattern-repeat factor (matching a repeat wastes fabric)
- × fabric-width factor (narrower fabric needs more length)
- Result is rounded up to the nearest 1/2 yard
Worked examples
Accent armchair, solid fabric, 54-inch wide
A standard armchair takes about 6 yards of solid 54-inch upholstery fabric. The same chair in a large repeat could need closer to 7.5–8 yards to match the pattern.
3-seat sofa, small repeat, 54-inch wide
A typical 3-seat sofa needs about 17.5 yards once a small repeat is factored in — versus roughly 16 yards in a solid.
How to use this calculator
- Choose the piece of furniture you're recovering.
- Select the pattern repeat of your fabric — solids waste the least, large repeats the most.
- Pick the fabric width; most upholstery fabric is 54 inches.
- Press Calculate for an estimated yardage to budget your project.
Reference chart
| Piece | Approx. yards |
|---|---|
| Dining chair seat | 0.75 |
| Ottoman | 2 |
| Queen headboard | 4 |
| Accent / armchair | 6 |
| Wingback chair | 8 |
| Loveseat | 12 |
| Sofa (3-seat) | 16 |
| Sectional | 24 |
Frequently asked questions
How much fabric do I need to reupholster a chair?
A dining chair seat takes under a yard, while a fully upholstered accent chair typically needs about 6 yards and a wingback around 8 yards on 54-inch fabric. Add yardage for a pattern repeat. Use the calculator to match your exact piece.
How many yards to reupholster a sofa?
A standard 3-seat sofa usually needs about 16 yards of 54-inch fabric, a loveseat about 12 yards, and a large sectional 22–26 yards. Tufting, skirts, and matching a pattern can push these numbers higher.
Why does a pattern repeat need more fabric?
To make a print line up across cushions, arms, and the back, you have to cut each piece starting at the same point in the design. The fabric between usable cuts becomes waste, so a large repeat can add 20–30% to the yardage.
Does fabric width matter for upholstery?
Yes. Most upholstery fabric is 54 inches wide, which the base figures assume. If you use 44-inch apparel or quilting fabric, you'll need roughly 20% more length to cover the same area, so the calculator adjusts for width.
Should I buy extra upholstery fabric?
Always buy a little extra and from the same bolt or dye lot. Upholstery fabrics are often discontinued, and matching later is nearly impossible. A spare yard also covers mistakes, piping, and future repairs.
Is this estimate accurate enough to order fabric?
It's a solid budgeting estimate, but upholstery varies with frame style, cushion shape, and technique. For an expensive fabric, confirm the yardage with your upholsterer or make a muslin mock-up before ordering.