Quilt Batting Calculator (What Size Batting to Buy)
Batting is the middle layer of the quilt. Like the backing, it needs to be a little bigger than the quilt top on every side, because quilting draws the layers in and the edges get trimmed square at the end.
The formula
Batting width = quilt width + 2 × extra, and batting length = quilt length + 2 × extra.
| Quilt top | Batting needed (4 in extra per side) |
|---|---|
| 40 × 50 in | 48 × 58 in |
| 60 × 80 in | 68 × 88 in |
| 84 × 92 in | 92 × 100 in |
| 90 × 108 in | 98 × 116 in |
Buying batting
Batting comes packaged in pre-cut sizes or by the yard off a wide roll. Package sizes and roll widths differ between brands, so compare against the size you need:
- Package: both sides of the package must be at least as big as the batting needed. A package that is big enough one way but short the other way won't work without joining.
- Off the roll: if the roll is at least as wide as the shorter side of the batting you need, buy a length equal to the longer side. Enter the roll width in the calculator and it does this check. Example: 68 × 88 in needed from a 90 in roll: 90 in covers 68 in, so buy 88 in, about 2.44 yd.
Match it to the backing
Batting and backing are usually cut with the same extra on each side, so the backing calculator and this page should use the same number. Not sure of the finished quilt size yet? Start with the quilt size calculator.
Sources
- Computed with the formula above. The 4 in default is a starting point, not a standard.