How Much Fabric Do I Need for a Pillow? Yardage Guide

If you're making new throw pillows or recovering existing ones, one of the first questions is usually how much fabric do I need for a pillow?

Fortunately, pillow fabric yardage is fairly easy to estimate once you know the finished pillow size, fabric width, number of pillows, and whether the fabric has a pattern or directional design.

For many standard square throw pillows made from 54-inch-wide upholstery fabric, you'll need approximately 1/2 to 3/4 yard of fabric per pillow. Larger pillows, patterned fabrics, lumbar pillows, welting, and multiple pillows can change that amount considerably.

This guide includes a quick pillow yardage chart, step-by-step calculations, pattern-repeat allowances, lumbar pillow estimates, and tips for avoiding one of the most frustrating upholstery mistakes: running out of fabric halfway through the project.

Quick Pillow Fabric Yardage Chart

The chart below is a good starting point for standard square throw pillows using approximately 54-inch-wide fabric.

*Why does the 26-inch pillow require more? A 26-inch finished pillow usually requires approximately 27-inch cut panels after seam allowance. Two 27-inch panels equal the full nominal width of 54-inch fabric, leaving no allowance for selvages or variations in usable width. Unless you've confirmed your fabric has enough usable width, plan on cutting the two faces one above the other rather than side by side.

Important: These are basic estimates for non-directional fabric without a large pattern repeat, piping, or other decorative details. Always check your exact fabric before ordering.

How Do You Calculate Fabric for a Pillow?

A basic square pillow requires two fabric panels: one for the front and one for the back.

For a pillow with a standard 1/2-inch seam allowance, add approximately 1 inch to both the finished width and height.

For example, a finished 20" × 20" pillow would normally require two pieces approximately:

21" × 21"

With 54-inch-wide fabric, two 21-inch pieces can fit side by side across the width:

21" + 21" = 42"

That means you only need approximately 21 inches of fabric length for one basic 20-inch pillow.

Since one yard equals 36 inches:

21 ÷ 36 = approximately 0.58 yard

Rounding up to a practical purchasing increment gives you approximately 5/8 yard.

How Much Fabric Do I Need for an 18-Inch Pillow?

An 18-inch finished pillow generally uses two approximately 19" × 19" fabric pieces when allowing for 1/2-inch seams.

Two 19-inch panels can easily fit next to each other across a 54-inch upholstery fabric.

For one 18-inch pillow, approximately 5/8 yard is a practical estimate for a plain or non-directional fabric.

If you're making multiple matching pillows, laying the pieces out together can often use fabric more efficiently than buying each pillow's yardage separately.

How Much Fabric Do I Need for a 20-Inch Pillow?

A 20" × 20" finished pillow is one of the most common decorative pillow sizes.

For a basic pillow using 54-inch-wide fabric:

• 1 pillow: approximately 5/8 yard
• 2 pillows: approximately 1 1/4 yards
• 4 pillows: approximately 2 3/8 yards
• 6 pillows: approximately 3 1/2 yards

If you're working with a large-scale floral, stripe, plaid, geometric, or other repeating design, plan on buying additional fabric for pattern placement and matching.

How Much Fabric Do I Need for a 22-Inch Pillow?

For a finished 22-inch pillow, your cut pieces will generally be approximately 23" × 23".

Two panels still fit comfortably across most 54-inch upholstery fabrics, making approximately 3/4 yard a useful starting point for one pillow.

For four 22-inch pillows, approximately 2 5/8 yards is a basic estimate before adding pattern-repeat allowances.

How Much Fabric Do I Need for a 24-Inch Pillow?

A 24-inch finished pillow generally uses two approximately 25" × 25" panels.

Two 25-inch panels total 50 inches, so they can usually be placed side by side on a 54-inch-wide fabric.

For one basic 24-inch pillow, plan on approximately 3/4 yard. For four pillows, approximately 2 7/8 yards is a useful starting estimate.

Why 26-Inch Pillows Can Require Much More Fabric

Large Euro-style pillows are where fabric-width calculations become especially important.

A 26-inch finished pillow generally requires panels approximately 27 inches square. Two panels would therefore require exactly 54 inches of width.

The problem is that a fabric advertised as 54 inches wide may not have a full 54 inches of usable patterned fabric once selvages are excluded.

For this reason, don't automatically assume two 27-inch panels will fit side by side.

If they don't, the front and back must be stacked vertically, requiring approximately 54 inches, or 1 1/2 yards, for one pillow.

Always measure the usable width before cutting large pillow panels.

How Much Fabric Do I Need for Multiple Pillows?

When you're making several pillows, don't simply multiply the single-pillow recommendation without considering the cutting layout.

Upholstery fabric is commonly around 54 inches wide, which allows many standard pillow fronts and backs to be placed side by side.

This makes multiple pillows surprisingly efficient to cut.

For example, four finished 20-inch pillows require eight approximately 21-inch-square panels. You can arrange two panels across each row, meaning four rows of approximately 21 inches:

4 × 21" = 84"

84 ÷ 36 = approximately 2.33 yards

Rounded up, approximately 2 3/8 yards would cover the basic panels before adding allowances for patterns, welting, mistakes, or shrinkage.

How Does Pattern Repeat Affect Pillow Yardage?

This is one of the biggest reasons actual pillow yardage can be higher than a simple size chart suggests.

Patterned upholstery fabrics have a vertical repeat and sometimes a horizontal repeat. If you want a floral motif, medallion, stripe, plaid, or geometric design centered and matched across several pillows, you'll need to position each panel according to the pattern rather than simply cutting the next available section of fabric.

Large pattern repeats can therefore increase the required yardage significantly.

When matching multiple pillows, allow additional fabric so the same portion of the design can appear consistently on each pillow.

Example

Suppose you're making four 20-inch pillows from a fabric with a large 27-inch vertical repeat.

A simple solid-fabric calculation may suggest approximately 2 3/8 yards, but your actual cutting layout may need to follow the 27-inch repeat rather than the 21-inch panel height.

The larger the repeat and the more precisely you want the pillows matched, the more extra fabric you should allow.

Directional Fabric vs. Non-Directional Fabric

A non-directional fabric can usually be rotated during cutting without noticeably changing the appearance of the finished pillow.

This gives you greater flexibility when arranging pieces across the width and can reduce waste.

A directional fabric has a clear top and bottom. Examples can include:

• Florals growing in one direction
• Animals or novelty designs
• Some stripes
• Scenic patterns
• Text or lettering

Directional fabric limits how panels can be rotated and may therefore require additional yardage.

How Much Extra Fabric Do You Need for Welting or Piping?

If you're adding welting, piping, or cord around the edge of the pillow, you'll need additional fabric to cover the cord.

The amount varies depending on pillow size, the width of the strips, whether the strips are cut straight or on the bias, and how many pillows you're making.

For a single pillow, leftover fabric from the main cutting layout may sometimes provide enough material for welt strips. For several pillows—or if you want bias-cut welting—it's safer to purchase additional fabric.

If your project is close to the calculated minimum, adding approximately 1/4 to 1/2 yard can provide useful insurance for piping and cutting mistakes.

How Much Fabric Do I Need for a Lumbar Pillow?

Lumbar pillows generally require less fabric than square pillows because of their narrower height.

For example, a finished 12" × 20" lumbar pillow with 1/2-inch seam allowances would use two approximately 13" × 21" pieces.

Because two 21-inch widths can fit side by side across 54-inch fabric, a basic 12" × 20" lumbar pillow may require only about 3/8 yard of non-directional fabric.

A larger 14" × 22" lumbar pillow will typically require approximately 1/2 yard before pattern matching, welting, or other allowances.

Does the Pillow Closure Change the Yardage?

It can.

Zipper Closure

A standard zipper closure normally uses two primary panels and usually doesn't add much yardage beyond the basic calculation.

Envelope Closure

An envelope-style back uses overlapping back panels instead of one solid back piece. Because of the overlap, it generally requires more fabric than a simple two-panel zipper pillow.

Decorative Flanges

Pillows with wide decorative flanges require larger front and back panels, which can increase yardage significantly—especially if the larger panel no longer fits efficiently across the fabric width.

Should You Buy Extra Pillow Fabric?

Usually, yes.

Fabric calculations assume everything goes exactly according to plan. Real projects can involve crooked cuts, pattern placement changes, damaged sections, shrinkage, or simply deciding you want another matching pillow later.

For a plain solid fabric, a modest extra allowance is generally sufficient.

For large patterns, stripes, plaids, or fabric you're unlikely to be able to reorder later, consider purchasing more generously.

It's much easier to have a little fabric left over than to discover that the exact dye lot or discontinued pattern is no longer available.

What Width Fabric Is Best for Making Pillows?

Many upholstery fabrics are approximately 54 inches wide, which works particularly well for pillows because two standard-size pillow panels can often fit across the width.

Narrower fabrics may require considerably more yardage because the front and back pieces may need to be cut one after another instead of side by side.

Always check the listed fabric width before using a general yardage chart.

Choosing Upholstery Fabric for Throw Pillows

Decorative pillows are a great way to use upholstery fabric because you can introduce color, pattern, and texture without committing to reupholstering an entire piece of furniture.

Depending on the room and intended use, you might consider:

• Chenille
• Velvet
• Linen blends
• Cotton blends
• Performance fabric
• Outdoor upholstery fabric
• Geometric patterns
• Floral designs
• Stripes
• Textured solids

Browse our upholstery fabric by the yard to find fabric for pillows, cushions, furniture, and other home décor projects.

Don't Forget the Pillow Insert

Your fabric isn't the only thing that determines how the finished pillow looks.

The insert size and fill also affect whether the pillow looks flat, structured, or full and luxurious.

For many decorative pillows, choosing an insert slightly larger than the finished pillow cover can create a fuller appearance. The exact choice depends on the insert material, desired firmness, and pillow construction.

If you're making new decorative pillows rather than simply recovering existing ones, browse our feather pillow forms for available sizes.

Use Our Complete Upholstery Fabric Yardage Guide

Pillows are only one part of upholstery yardage planning.

If you're also recovering dining chairs, an ottoman, bench, armchair, sofa, cushions, or other furniture, see our complete upholstery fabric yardage guide.

That guide serves as the main starting point for estimating fabric across many different upholstery projects.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pillow Fabric Yardage

How much fabric do I need for one 18-inch pillow?

For a basic 18" × 18" pillow made from approximately 54-inch-wide, non-directional upholstery fabric, about 5/8 yard is a useful starting estimate. Pattern matching, piping, or directional fabric may require more.

How much fabric do I need for a 20-inch pillow?

A basic 20" × 20" pillow generally requires about 5/8 yard of 54-inch-wide non-directional fabric when the front and back pieces can be cut side by side.

How much fabric do I need for four 20-inch pillows?

Approximately 2 3/8 yards of 54-inch-wide non-directional fabric is a basic estimate for four 20-inch pillows. Add more for large pattern repeats, matching, welting, or directional designs.

How much fabric do I need for a 24-inch pillow?

A basic 24" × 24" pillow usually requires approximately 3/4 yard of 54-inch-wide fabric before allowances for patterns, piping, or decorative details.

How much fabric do I need for a lumbar pillow?

A basic 12" × 20" lumbar pillow may require approximately 3/8 yard of 54-inch-wide non-directional fabric. Larger lumbar pillows generally require around 1/2 yard or more depending on size and construction.

Do I need extra fabric for pattern matching?

Yes. Large florals, geometrics, stripes, plaids, and other repeating patterns can require additional yardage so the design can be centered and matched across pillow panels.

Do I need extra fabric for piping?

Often, yes. Small amounts of straight-cut welting may fit into leftover fabric, but bias-cut piping or multiple pillows can require additional yardage. If your calculation is close, an extra 1/4 to 1/2 yard provides useful flexibility.

Is 54-inch-wide fabric good for pillows?

Yes. Fifty-four-inch fabric is especially convenient for decorative pillows because the front and back panels of many standard pillow sizes can be placed side by side across the width, reducing the total yardage required.

Shop Fabric for Your Next Pillow Project

Once you know your pillow size and estimated yardage, the fun part is choosing the fabric.

Explore upholstery fabric by the yard at Fabric & Supply for solids, textures, florals, geometrics, stripes, performance fabrics, and designer upholstery fabrics for pillows and other home projects.

Before ordering, remember to check the fabric width, pattern repeat, direction, and total number of pillows. A few minutes spent planning the cutting layout can save both fabric and money.