What are standard quilt sizes?

Standard quilt sizes are: Crib (36×52 inches), Lap/Throw (50×65 inches), Twin (60×80 inches), Full/Double (80×90 inches), Queen (90×108 inches), and King (108×108 inches). These dimensions include overhang but vary by bed height and personal preference.

How much fabric do I need for a queen quilt?

For a queen quilt (90×108 inches), you need approximately 6.5 yards of fabric for the quilt top (using 44-inch wide fabric with piecing), 7.5 yards for the backing (seamed), and a 94×112 inch batting. Always buy 10–15% extra for shrinkage and cutting errors.

Batting (also called wadding) is the middle layer of a quilt sandwich, between the quilt top and backing. It provides warmth and loft. Batting comes in polyester, cotton, wool, and blends. Polyester batting is lightweight and doesn't shrink; cotton batting gives a flatter, vintage look and may shrink 3–5% when washed.

How much extra fabric should I buy for shrinkage?

Buy 10–15% more fabric than your calculated requirement to account for shrinkage after pre-washing, cutting errors, and seam allowances. For quilting cotton, expect 3–5% shrinkage. Pre-wash all fabrics before cutting to prevent the finished quilt from distorting.

Quilt Size Guide

Choosing the right quilt size is the first step in any quilting project. Standard sizes vary by bed type, and the amount of fabric you need depends on whether you're making a simple whole-cloth quilt or a pieced design. Use this guide for quick reference, then use our calculators for precise yardage.

Standard Quilt Sizes

Fabric requirements below assume 44-inch wide quilting cotton with standard ¼-inch seam allowances. Buy 10–15% extra for shrinkage and waste.

Name	Dimensions	Fits	Fabric Top	Fabric Back	Batting
Crib	36×52"	Crib	1.5 yds	3.5 yds	40×56"
Lap / Throw	50×65"	Armchair	3 yds	4 yds	54×69"
Twin	60×80"	Twin bed	4 yds	5 yds	64×84"
Full / Double	80×90"	Full bed	5.5 yds	6 yds	84×94"
Queen	90×108"	Queen bed	6.5 yds	7.5 yds	94×112"
King	108×108"	King bed	8 yds	9 yds	112×112"

Calculating Fabric Yardage

Pieced quilt tops require more fabric than their finished size suggests, because each seam consumes fabric. The standard quilting seam allowance is ¼ inch, and each seam uses ½ inch total (¼ inch on each side). For a 10-inch finished block, you cut 10½-inch squares to account for seam allowances.

To estimate yardage for a patchwork top, calculate the total cut area of all your pieces, add 15% for waste and miscuts, then divide by the usable fabric width (typically 40 inches for 44-inch fabric after prewashing).

Use our calculators for precise numbers:

Fabric Yardage Calculator →Quilt Size Calculator →

Batting Basics

Batting is the insulating middle layer of the quilt sandwich. The thickness (loft) determines how warm and puffy the finished quilt feels.

Polyester batting— lightweight, doesn't shrink, easy to quilt through, suitable for machine quilting.
Cotton batting — gives a flatter, vintage look; shrinks 3–5% when washed (pre-wash or expect intentional crinkle).
Wool batting — warm, breathable, and drapes beautifully; more expensive; hand-wash recommended.
Cotton/poly blends — combine low shrinkage with a natural drape; popular for everyday quilts.

Batting should extend 2–4 inches beyond the quilt top on all sides before basting, to allow for take-up during quilting.

Batting Calculator →

Tips for Backing Fabric

Most quilting cotton is 44 inches wide, which is narrower than any quilt larger than a lap throw. For twin, full, queen, and king quilts, you will need to seam backing panels together to reach the required width.

The standard approach is to cut the backing yardage in half crosswise, seam the two pieces together lengthwise, and trim to size. This creates a vertical center seam. For very wide quilts (king size), cut the yardage into thirds and seam two panels on either side of a center panel to distribute the seams symmetrically.

Wide-back quilting fabrics (90–108 inches wide) are available and eliminate the need for seaming, but cost more per yard.

Backing yardage in the table above accounts for standard seaming of 44-inch fabric.

Related calculators

Quilt Size Calculator →Batting Calculator →Fabric Yardage Calculator →How to Measure Guide →