Fabric Shrinkage Calculator
Fill in the values and the answer updates as you type.
How the Fabric Shrinkage Calculator works
Shrinkage % = (before − after) ÷ before × 100. Fabric to buy = amount needed ÷ (1 − shrinkage). Measure a washed and dried test square, using the same wash and dry settings you will use on the finished item. Shrinkage can differ between the length and the width of the fabric. Example: with Length before washing 10 in, Length after washing 9.5 in, and Fabric the project needs 3 yd, the result is Shrinkage = 5%; Fabric to buy (yards) = 3.16; Extra to buy (yards) = 0.16.
Inputs and results
The Fabric Shrinkage Calculator takes 3 inputs and gives 4 results.
What you enter
- Length before washing (in) — starts at 10.
- Length after washing (in) — starts at 9.5.
- Fabric the project needs (yd) — starts at 3.
What you get
- Shrinkage
- Fabric to buy (yards)
- Extra to buy (yards)
- Fabric to buy (meters)
Example: Fabric Shrinkage Calculator with the starting values
With length before washing 10 in, length after washing 9.5 in and fabric the project needs 3 yd, the calculator returns:
| Shrinkage | 5% |
|---|---|
| Fabric to buy (yards) | 3.16 |
| Extra to buy (yards) | 0.16 |
| Fabric to buy (meters) | 2.89 |
Change any value above and the results update straight away.
Fabric Shrinkage Calculator FAQ
How do I use the Fabric Shrinkage Calculator?
Enter length before washing, length after washing and fabric the project needs in the fields, then read shrinkage, fabric to buy (yards), extra to buy (yards) and fabric to buy (meters) in the result panel. The answer updates as you type, and you can press Calculate or Enter to refresh it. Use “Copy link” to share your exact numbers with someone else.
What does the Fabric Shrinkage Calculator calculate?
Shrinkage percentage and extra fabric to buy before washing. It returns shrinkage, fabric to buy (yards), extra to buy (yards) and fabric to buy (meters) from the 3 values you provide.
What values does the Fabric Shrinkage Calculator start with?
It opens with length before washing 10 in, length after washing 9.5 in and fabric the project needs 3 yd so you can see a working result straight away. Replace them with your own numbers, or press Reset to return to these starting values.
Is the Fabric Shrinkage Calculator free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account, and runs in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to or stored on our servers. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Can I rely on the Fabric Shrinkage Calculator for important decisions?
Treat the result as a well-rounded estimate. Real situations often have details a general calculator cannot know, so confirm important decisions with a qualified professional. See the Disclaimer for more.