A yard of fabric is always 36 inches (3 feet, 91.44 cm) long. The width depends on the bolt it is cut from: usually 42 to 45 inches for quilting cotton and 54 to 60 inches for apparel fabric.
When you buy a yard, the store cuts 36 inches off the end of the bolt, straight across, so you get the full width of the fabric. The width is set by the bolt, not by the yard. The finished edges along each side are the selvages.
| Fabric width | Size in inches | Area | Size in cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 in wide | 36 x 44 in | 1,584 sq in | 91.44 x 111.76 cm |
| 60 in wide | 36 x 60 in | 2,160 sq in | 91.44 x 152.4 cm |
Usable width is what is left after you trim off the selvages, which are not printed evenly and do not stretch like the rest of the fabric.
| Fabric type | Width on the bolt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Quilting cotton | 42 to 45 in (107 to 114 cm) | About 40 to 42 in usable after the selvages |
| Apparel fabric | 54 to 60 in (137 to 152 cm) | Includes many knits, linens and suitings |
| Home decor and upholstery | About 54 in (137 cm) | Heavier weaves for curtains and furniture |
| Fleece and minky | About 58 to 60 in (147 to 152 cm) | Wide enough for a throw blanket without a seam |
| Extra-wide quilt backing | 108 in (274 cm) | Backs most quilts in one piece |
Pre-cuts are cut from quilting cotton, so they assume a width of about 44 inches.
| Pre-cut | Size | How it is cut |
|---|---|---|
| Fat quarter | 18 x 22 in | A half yard cut in half along the width |
| Fat eighth | 9 x 22 in | A fat quarter cut in half |
| Half yard | 18 in long, full width | 18 x 44 in on quilting cotton |
Amazon search results for quilting cotton and pre-cuts
How many yards for any project: enter fabric width and piece sizes. Open the fabric calculator
Backing, batting and binding for crib to California king quilts. Open the quilt calculator
Yards of minky or fleece for throw to king size blankets. Open the blanket calculator
Bias strip width, strip length and fabric for piping. Open the piping calculator