Fabric Yardage Calculator
Find out exactly how much cloth to buy for a shalwar kameez suit, kurta, shalwar, shirt or coat. Enter the wearer height, pick the fabric width, and get the needed yards and meters with a simple cutting guide.
| Part | Body Length (in) | Cut Length (in) | Cloth Needed (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | - | ||
How to use
- Select the garment type: full shalwar kameez suit, kurta, shalwar, shirt or coat.
- Enter the wearer height in inches (for example 68).
- Optional: enter the chest size in inches if the body is wider than standard.
- Select the fabric width: 36, 44, 54 or 60 inches.
- Click Calculate Yardage to see yards, meters, a part-by-part breakdown and cutting steps.
How the yardage is calculated
Garment length is estimated from height with standard tailor ratios: a kameez is about 56 percent of height, a kurta 60 percent, a shirt 45 percent, a coat 52 percent, and a shalwar 58 percent plus 2 inches. Sleeve length is about 36 percent of height. Hem, cuff and waist-casing allowances are then added: 2 to 4 inches for hems, 2 inches for cuffs, and 6 inches for the shalwar waist casing.
Fabric width decides the sleeve allowance. On 54 or 60 inch wide fabric, sleeves are cut from the width beside the body panels, so no extra length is added. On 44 inch fabric, half a sleeve length is added. On 36 inch narrow fabric, a full sleeve length is added, and a shalwar needs 25 percent extra length.
The grand total in inches is divided by 36 to get yards and multiplied by 0.9144 to get meters. The buy figure rounds up to the nearest quarter yard so you have a safe margin for cutting and shrinkage. If you enter a chest size above 40 inches, an extra width allowance is added.
Note: this is a practical estimate used by tailors. Patterned or checked fabric that needs pattern matching can require more cloth, so confirm with your tailor.
Frequently asked questions
How is the required fabric calculated?
Garment length is estimated from height using standard tailor ratios, then hem and sleeve allowances are added. The result is adjusted for fabric width, because wider cloth lets sleeves be cut beside the body panels. Total inches are divided by 36 for yards and multiplied by 0.9144 for meters.
Does fabric width change how much cloth I need?
Yes. On 54 or 60 inch wide fabric, sleeves are cut from the width beside the body, so no extra length is added. On 44 inch fabric, half a sleeve length is added. On 36 inch narrow fabric, a full sleeve length is added, and a shalwar needs 25 percent extra length.
What is the difference between exact yards and the buy figure?
Exact yards is the precise computed need. The buy figure rounds up to the nearest quarter yard so you have a safe margin for cutting mistakes and shrinkage.
Why do you ask for height?
Garment length is estimated from height using standard tailor ratios. For example, a kameez is about 56 percent of height and a sleeve about 36 percent. This keeps the tool quick. For exact tailoring, measure the real garment length and compare.
Is the chest measurement required?
No, it is optional. If you enter a chest size above 40 inches, the tool adds extra allowance for a wider body. Leave it blank for a standard size.