A fabric yardage chart earns its place at the cutting table because fraction math is the last thing anyone wants to do with scissors in hand. This page covers two things: a straightforward yards-to-inches conversion table, and a quick-reference chart for common projects so you have a starting number before you dig into the specifics. For the full formulas behind any of these numbers, the linked guides throughout cover the step-by-step math.
Table of Contents
Quick Answer
One yard of fabric equals 36 inches. A quarter yard is 9 inches, a half yard is 18 inches, and a fat quarter is roughly 18 by 22 inches rather than a plain strip. For project-specific numbers, quilts typically need 2 to 9 yards depending on size, dresses run 2 to 5 yards by style, and curtains and tablecloths vary widely based on window size or table size and your chosen fullness or drop.
Yards to Inches Conversion Chart
According to Wikipedia, one yard has been standardized as exactly 36 inches (0.9144 meters) since 1959, which is the figure every fraction in the chart below is built from.
| Yardage | Inches |
|---|---|
| 1/8 yard | 4.5 inches |
| 1/4 yard | 9 inches |
| 1/3 yard | 12 inches |
| 3/8 yard | 13.5 inches |
| 1/2 yard | 18 inches |
| 5/8 yard | 22.5 inches |
| 2/3 yard | 24 inches |
| 3/4 yard | 27 inches |
| 7/8 yard | 31.5 inches |
| 1 yard | 36 inches |
| 1.5 yards | 54 inches |
| 2 yards | 72 inches |
| 3 yards | 108 inches |
Quilt Yardage Chart by Size
These figures assume standard 42-inch quilting cotton for the top, with backing pieced from the same width where the quilt is wider than a single fabric width.
| Quilt Size | Finished Size | Top Fabric | Backing Fabric | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 36 x 52 in | 1.5 yards | 1.75 yards | 0.5 yard |
| Throw | 50 x 65 in | 2.5 yards | 3.5 yards | 0.5 yard |
| Twin | 60 x 80 in | 3.5 yards | 5 yards | 0.75 yard |
| Full/Queen | 80 x 90 in | 5.5 yards | 8 yards | 0.75 yard |
| King | 108 x 92 in | 7 yards | 9 yards | 1 yard |
Backing yardage drops significantly if you switch to 90 to 108-inch wide-back fabric, since it removes the need to piece multiple widths together for anything up to king size.
Fabric Yardage Chart by Common Project
These are starting points rather than exact figures — each project type has its own factors, like style, fullness, or drop length, that shift the final number.
| Project | Approximate Yardage |
|---|---|
| Dress (shift to maxi) | 2 to 5 yards |
| Curtains (per panel) | 4 to 8 yards |
| Throw pillow cover (18×18) | 0.5 to 0.6 yard |
| Tablecloth (6 ft table) | 2 to 3.5 yards |
| Baby quilt top | 1.5 to 2 yards |
| Twin quilt top | 3.5 to 4 yards |
For the full calculation behind any of these, see our dedicated guides on how much fabric for a dress, how much fabric for curtains, how much fabric for pillows, and how much fabric for tablecloth projects.
How to Use This Chart With Your Fabric’s Actual Width
Every table above assumes a specific fabric width, and your actual fabric may run narrower or wider than that. If your fabric’s width doesn’t match what a chart assumes, the yardage needs to be adjusted proportionally rather than used as-is. Our fabric conversion chart walks through that adjustment step by step.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating a project chart’s numbers as exact rather than as a starting estimate
- Using a quilt yardage chart built for 42-inch fabric without adjusting for a different width
- Forgetting that binding and backing are calculated separately from the quilt top
- Not rounding up to the nearest quarter or eighth yard your fabric store sells in
- Skipping the pattern repeat or directional print adjustment that project-specific guides cover in more detail
FAQs
How many inches are in a quarter yard of fabric?
A quarter yard is 9 inches, since a full yard equals 36 inches. This measurement runs along the fabric’s length, not its width, so a quarter yard is still the full bolt width by 9 inches long.
How much fabric is a fat quarter compared to a quarter yard?
Both contain the same amount of fabric, but a standard quarter yard is a long, narrow strip, while a fat quarter is cut as a roughly 18 by 22 inch rectangle, which gives quilters more usable width for cutting shapes.
How much fabric do I need for a queen size quilt?
A queen quilt top typically needs about 5.5 yards on standard 42-inch quilting cotton, with backing running closer to 8 yards since it usually requires piecing multiple widths together.
Do these charts work for any fabric width?
Not directly. Each chart assumes a specific width, usually 42 to 45 inches for quilting projects, so a wider or narrower fabric needs the yardage adjusted proportionally rather than used exactly as listed.
Where can I find the exact formula behind these numbers?
Our pillar guide on how much fabric do I need covers the general formula, and each project type dresses, curtains, pillows, and tablecloths has its own dedicated guide with the specific factors that change that project’s total
Conclusion
A fabric yardage chart is meant to get you close fast, whether you’re converting a stubborn fraction of a yard into inches or getting a rough number before you commit to a project’s exact calculation. For anything beyond a quick estimate, the dedicated guides linked throughout this chart cover the full formula for your specific project and fabric width.
If you’d rather skip the charts entirely, the SewSmartHub fabric yardage calculator runs the exact numbers for your project in seconds.