Quilt batting calculator
Enter your quilt size and see the batting size you need, plus the smallest packaged batting that covers it.
Enter your numbers
How it is calculated
Like backing, batting must be bigger than the quilt top: add your overhang to each side (4 in per side is typical, 8 in for longarm quilting). The tool then checks the standard packaged batting sizes, in both orientations, and names the smallest one that covers your quilt: Crib 45 x 60, Throw 60 x 60, Twin 72 x 90, Full 81 x 96, Queen 90 x 108, King 120 x 120.
It also shows the by-the-yard amount, using common bolt widths of 90, 96, 108 and 120 inches, in case cutting from a bolt is cheaper at your shop.
Worked example
A 60 x 70 in throw with 4 in overhang needs 68 x 78 in of batting. The smallest packaged size that fits is a Twin (72 x 90 in). From a 90 in wide bolt, a 78 in cut does it: buy 2.25 yards.
Common questions
- What size batting do I need for a queen quilt?
- A 90 x 95 in queen top with 4 in overhang needs 98 x 103 in, which is bigger than a standard Queen batting (90 x 108). Step up to King (120 x 120) or buy from a 108 or 120 in bolt. Smaller queen tops around 84 x 92 fit Queen batting fine.
- Can batting be pieced together from scraps?
- Yes. Butt two straight edges together (do not overlap) and join them with a wide zigzag stitch or fusible batting tape. Many quilters build whole throw battings from leftovers.
- Does batting shrink?
- Cotton batting can shrink 3 to 5 percent on first wash, which creates the soft crinkled look many quilters like. Polyester barely shrinks. If you plan to prewash the finished quilt and want it flat, choose a low-shrink batting.
- Which side of the batting goes up?
- For needle-punched batting with a visible scrim (a thin stabilizer layer), quilt with the scrim side down. If you cannot tell the sides apart it will not make a practical difference.
Related tools
SewCalc results are careful estimates based on standard practice. Fabrics, brands and personal technique vary, so always confirm measurements against your own pattern or project before cutting.