Upholstery Fabric Yardage Calculator

How it works

Yards = base yardage × pieces × repeat factor (1.10 for ≤ 3″, 1.15 for 4–14″, 1.25 for 15–27″, 1.35 over 27″) + skirt (1.75) + self-welt (1) + 1 per extra cushion, × width factor (45″ 1.25, 60″ 0.95, 108″ 0.65), rounded up to ½ yd

Upholsterers estimate from long-established averages for each furniture type on 54-inch fabric — about 14 yards for a standard sofa, 7 for a club chair — and then add for everything that consumes extra cloth: a patterned fabric whose repeat must be centred and matched (10–35% more depending on repeat size), a tailored skirt, self-welting cut on the bias, and any cushions beyond the usual set. Narrower fabric needs proportionally more; wide or railroaded fabric less, since long pieces can be cut across the width without seams. These figures err on the generous side because running short means a second dye lot that will not match; leftovers become arm caps and spare cushion covers. For anything unusual — a curved back, deep tufting, oversized cushions — measure the old cover or ask for a cut list.

Worked example

A standard three-seat sofa in a solid 54″ fabric with self-welt and no skirt: 14 + 1 = 15 yards (13.7 m), $630 at $42 a yard. The same sofa in a fabric with a 24″ repeat would need 14 × 1.25 + 1 = 18.5 yards.

Frequently asked questions