Quilt Planning Guide

Free quilt planning calculator

Quilt Planner & Fabric Calculator

Plan your quilt top, backing, batting, binding, and shopping list in one place.

  • Quilt size
  • Fabric estimate
  • Backing
  • Batting
  • Binding
  • Square count
  • Shopping list
  • Printable plan

Start your quilt estimate

Quilt goal
1 Quilt goal

Not sure? Start with a 45" x 55" lap quilt.

Common beginner planning sizes, not official quilt standards.

Quilt top method
2 Quilt top method

Simple Square Layout

A 10" cut square finishes about 9.5" after 1/4" seams on each side.

Cut square size

Fewer pieces, faster for many beginners.

Number of quilt-top fabrics Squares are divided as evenly as possible; fabric is calculated per color.
Backing fabric type
3 Backing fabric type
Binding strip width
4 Binding strip width

Project details

Project overview

Quilt type
Lap Quilt
Target finished size
45" x 55"
Calculated top size
47.5" x 57"

Closest whole-block layout after 1/4" seams.

This square size creates a noticeable difference from your target. Try another square size for a closer fit.

Quilt-top plan

Cut square size
10" cut squares
Finished square size
9.5" after seams
Grid
5 columns x 6 rows
Squares needed
30 squares

Finishing materials

Backing cut size
55.5" x 65"
Batting minimum size
At least 55.5" x 65"
Binding length
About 229 inches

Shopping list to take to the fabric store

Backing, batting, and binding estimates use the planned top size: 47.5" x 57".

Quilt-top fabrics

Color A Buy 1 1/4 yards 15 squares · Cut 4 WOF strips Color B Buy 1 1/4 yards 15 squares · Cut 4 WOF strips

Finishing materials

  • Backing fabric Buy 3 1/4 yards Required size: 55.5" x 65" Cut 2 lengths at least 55 1/2" · Join with horizontal seams Directional fabric may require the alternate orientation: 3 3/4 yards. Check the print direction before cutting.
  • Batting Buy: package at least 55.5" x 65" Minimum size: 55.5" x 65"
  • Binding fabric Buy: 1/2 yard Cut 6 strips at 2 1/2" wide. Use: edge binding strips, about 229 inches.
Quilt Shopping List
Quilt Planning Guide · quiltplanningguide.com

Generated from the Quilt Planner · Beginner fabric estimate

This square size creates a noticeable difference from your target. Try another square size for a closer fit.

Quilt type
Lap Quilt
Target size
45" x 55"
Planned top
47.5" x 57"
Required backing
55.5" x 65"
Binding length
About 229 inches
Cut square
10" cut squares
After seams
9.5" after seams
Columns x rows
5 columns x 6 rows
Total squares
30 squares

Backing, batting, and binding estimates are based on the planned layout size.

  • Quilt-top fabrics
    Color A 15 squares · Cut 4 WOF strips Buy 1 1/4 yards Color B 15 squares · Cut 4 WOF strips Buy 1 1/4 yards

    Bought / notes:

  • Backing fabric

    Buy 3 1/4 yards

    Required size: 55.5" x 65"

    Cut 2 lengths at least 55 1/2" · Join with horizontal seams

    Directional fabric may require the alternate orientation: 3 3/4 yards. Check the print direction before cutting.

    Bought / notes:

  • Batting

    Size: 55.5" x 65"

    Choose a package at least this size.

    Bought / notes:

  • Binding fabric

    Amount: 1/2 yard

    Length: About 229 inches

    Strip width: 2 1/2"

    Cut 6 WOF strips

    Bought / notes:

Check fabric width before buying backing Add extra for shrinkage, cutting mistakes, or directional prints Follow your pattern if using one

Planning assumptions: 42" usable regular cotton; 104" usable wide backing; 1" total width per backing seam; quilt-top, backing, and binding yardage rounded up to 1/4 yard; backing and batting add 4" per side; binding adds 20". A cut square finishes 1/2" smaller after seams. Planning estimates only.

Quilt Planning Guide · quiltplanningguide.com

Planning with standard 2:1 geese? Calculate Flying Geese cut sizes and batches before building your quilt layout.

Starting with 5" Charm Pack squares? Find a practical quilt-top size or pack count before planning fabric.

How these estimates work

How calculated

  • Rows and columns use the closest whole-square count, so the planned top may be slightly smaller or larger than the target.
  • Cut squares finish 1/2 inch smaller after 1/4-inch seams on every side.
  • Quilt-top fabric is calculated separately for each color, using 42" of usable width and rounding up to the next 1/4 yard.
  • Backing and batting add 4" on every side of the planned top.
  • Binding length uses the planned top perimeter plus 20" for corners and joining.
Assumptions
  • Regular quilting cotton usable width: about 42"
  • Wide backing usable width: about 104"
  • Backing and batting: 4" extra on each side
  • Binding strips: 2.5" wide
  • Binding length includes 20" extra
  • Each backing seam uses 1" total width from the joined panels.

FAQ

The planner estimates quilt-top fabric, backing, batting, and binding. It also reminds you when extra fabric may be useful for shrinkage, cutting mistakes, or fabric matching.

The square count depends on the finished quilt size, cut square size, and 1/4" seam allowance. The calculator supports 5", 10", and custom cut squares.

It is a planning calculator for beginner quilts and simple square layouts, not a replacement for a detailed quilt pattern.

Half Square Triangle CalculatorQuilt Size ChartBest Quilt Size for BeginnersQuilt Backing Size ChartQuilt Batting Size ChartQuilt Binding Size ChartBeginner Quilting Checklist