How to Figure Out How Much Upholstery Fabric You Need

Estimating yardage is one of the most common questions in reupholstery and home decor. The amount of fabric you need depends on the size of your furniture, the fabric width (most upholstery fabric is 54 inches wide), and whether your fabric has a pattern repeat that needs matching. Our calculator above gives you an instant estimate based on furniture style, arms, skirts, and cushion sizes.

How many yards of fabric to reupholster a sofa?

A standard three-seat sofa typically needs about 16–18 yards of 54-inch fabric. A loveseat usually needs around 14 yards, and a large four-seat sofa can require 20–22 yards. Styles like Tuxedo, Camelback, and Sectional, along with rolled arms or a skirt, add to the total. Always add roughly 10–15% extra for pattern matching and seams.

How much fabric for a chair?

An armchair generally needs about 6–7 yards, a wingback chair around 7 yards, a club chair about 7.5 yards, and a dining chair seat as little as ¾ yard. Recliners use more — usually around 8 yards because of the moving parts.

How much fabric for cushions?

Box cushions use fabric for the top, bottom, and a boxing strip around the sides. Enter each cushion's width, length, and depth in the calculator and it works out the total for you. If your fabric has a large pattern, add the repeat size so each cut lines up.

How much fabric for curtains?

For curtains, multiply your window width by your desired fullness (2 to 2.5 times is standard for a gathered look), divide by the fabric width to get the number of panels, then multiply by the length plus about 16 inches for hems. The calculator does this math for you automatically.

A note on pattern repeats

If your fabric has a large pattern, you'll need extra yardage so the design lines up across cushions and panels. Turn on the pattern repeat option in the calculator and enter the repeat size. When in doubt, order a sample first or contact our Los Angeles showroom — we're always happy to help.

These estimates are a starting guide. Actual yardage varies by furniture style, fabric width, and pattern. For large projects we recommend confirming with a professional upholsterer.