How to Calculate Quilt Binding
Binding is the fabric strip that wraps the raw edges of your quilt to give it a clean, durable finish. The math is short, but it is easy to run short if you forget the joining allowance, so plan a little extra every time.
Step 1: Find the Perimeter
Add the quilt width and length, then multiply by two. For a 60" × 72" quilt that is (60 + 72) × 2 = 264 inches of perimeter.
Step 2: Add Joining Allowance
Add 10 to 12 extra inches for joining the binding ends and easing around corners. A practical planning total is the perimeter plus 12 inches, so 264 + 12 = 276 inches of binding.
Step 3: Count Strips and Yards
Divide total binding length by your usable WOF (about 40 to 42 inches). 276 ÷ 42 ≈ 6.6, so you need 7 strips. At a 2.5-inch strip width that is 17.5 inches of fabric width, or about 0.5 yard, so buy 1 yard to be safe.
Strip Count by Quilt Size
| Quilt size | Perimeter + 12" | 2.5" strips |
|---|---|---|
| Baby 36×45 | 174" | 5 |
| Throw 50×60 | 244" | 6 |
| Twin 70×90 | 344" | 9 |
| Queen 90×108 | 422" | 11 |
| King 108×108 | 456" | 11 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quilt binding formula?
Binding length equals the quilt perimeter (width plus length times two) plus 10 to 12 inches of extra length for joining the ends and easing around corners. Divide that total by your fabric width of fabric (WOF) to get the number of strips.
How wide should quilt binding strips be?
Most quilters cut 2.5-inch strips for double-fold binding, which finishes at about 0.375 to 0.5 inch on the quilt edge. For a wider, chunkier look, 2.75-inch strips are common on larger bed quilts.
How much extra length do I add for joining binding?
Add 10 to 12 inches to the raw perimeter. This covers the diagonal join where the starting and ending strips meet, plus a little easing so corners stay crisp.
How do I convert binding strips to yards?
Multiply the number of strips by the strip width, then divide by 36 to get yards. For example, 10 strips at 2.5 inches equals 25 inches of width, or about 0.7 yard, so you would buy 1 yard to be safe.