How it works
1 yd = 36 in, exactly. 1 in = 2.54 cm, exactly. Convert yards to inches by ×36 and yards to centimeters by ×91.44.
— YARDS TO INCHES / FREE ONLINE TOOL
Fabric yards to inches: fractions and fabric size.
Use fractions exactly as you see them on fabric shop labels. One yard equals 36 inches, regardless of how wide the fabric bolt is.
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DEFAULT EXAMPLE
¼ yd = 9 in = 22.86 cm; ⅜ yd = 13.5 in = 34.29 cm; ⅞ yd = 31.5 in = 80.01 cm.
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— UNDER THE STITCHES
Clear math. Better cuts.
Understand the calculation before cutting into fabric.
From measurements to fabric
Type a whole number, decimal or fraction such as 3/8 or 1 3/8. See the result and a compact reference chart for common fabric-store cuts.
What it does not assume
A yard specifies LENGTH of fabric, never its WIDTH. The actual usable WOF depends on your material.
— THE WORKED EXAMPLE
Start with something familiar.
¼ yd = 9 in = 22.86 cm; ⅜ yd = 13.5 in = 34.29 cm; ⅞ yd = 31.5 in = 80.01 cm.
— PRACTICAL MEASUREMENT GUIDE
Fabric yard to inch chart, fractions and actual fabric size
A yard is a unit of length, not a universal size of cloth. One linear yard is exactly 36 inches or 91.44 centimeters along the bolt; its usable width depends on the fabric you buy.
How big is a yard of fabric?
One yard of fabric measures 36 inches in the direction the bolt unwinds. If you have 43 inches of usable WOF, one linear yard is a 36 × 43 inch rectangle. Two yards have 72 inches of length, while the width remains 43 inches. Your particular bolt may be narrower or wider.
A half yard is 18 inches long; a quarter yard is 9 inches long; a third of a yard is 12 inches long. A yard and a half is 54 inches long. “How much is one yard of fabric?” can also mean price, which varies by seller and material; length conversion alone cannot quote a price.
How to calculate a fraction or a mixed yard amount
Multiply the number of yards by 36 for inches, or by 91.44 for centimeters. For example, 5/8 × 36 = 22.5 inches; 2/3 × 36 = 24 inches; 1¼ × 36 = 45 inches. To convert inches back to yards, divide by 36. You can enter decimals, fractions or mixed fractions in the interactive converter above.
Store-bought cuts are typically specified by a linear length. A “fat quarter” is cut from a different rectangle than a standard quarter-yard strip; the same linear-yard conversion does not describe the resulting shape. This table is for standard linear measurements, not fat quarters.
Can square inches be converted to fabric yards?
Not without a width assumption. At 43 inches of usable WOF, one linear yard contains 36 × 43 = 1,548 square inches. You could divide an area by 43 × 36 to get an area-equivalent linear-yard estimate—but that is not proof that a collection of pieces can physically fit, and it ignores grain and cutting waste.
For actual quilt purchasing, use the Fabric Yardage Calculator with cut width, cut height, piece count and rotation permission. If you are calculating backing, use the separate quilt backing panel model so that seam joins and overage are included.
Yards to inches and centimeters: common fabric cuts
This is an exact length conversion, not a price chart or a promise of a particular bolt width. Centimeters use exactly 2.54 cm per inch.
| Yards | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 yard | 4.5 in | 11.43 cm |
| 1/4 yard | 9 in | 22.86 cm |
| 1/3 yard | 12 in | 30.48 cm |
| 3/8 yard | 13.5 in | 34.29 cm |
| 1/2 yard | 18 in | 45.72 cm |
| 5/8 yard | 22.5 in | 57.15 cm |
| 2/3 yard | 24 in | 60.96 cm |
| 3/4 yard | 27 in | 68.58 cm |
| 7/8 yard | 31.5 in | 80.01 cm |
| 1 yard | 36 in | 91.44 cm |
| 1 1/4 yards | 45 in | 114.3 cm |
| 1 1/2 yards | 54 in | 137.16 cm |
| 2 yards | 72 in | 182.88 cm |
| 4 yards | 144 in | 365.76 cm |
Examples include 1/3 yard = 12 inches, 2/3 yard = 24 inches, 1½ yards = 54 inches and 4 yards = 144 inches. Fabric width must still be measured separately.
— COMMON QUESTIONS
A little clarity goes a long way.
How many inches is 1/4 yard?
Exactly 9 inches.
How long is half a yard?
18 inches along the length of the bolt.
What is 1/3 yard or 2/3 yard in inches?
One-third yard is 12 inches and two-thirds yard is 24 inches.
How big is a yard of fabric?
One yard is 36 inches long along the bolt. The fabric width depends on the material; a yard does not have a universal width.
Can I convert square inches directly to fabric yardage?
Only with an assumed usable width, and area alone cannot prove that the actual pieces fit the bolt. Use the Fabric Yardage Calculator for a cutting layout.