Cloth & Chalk walks through four short steps to turn a set of measurements into a fabric yardage estimate. Here's what each one does.
Body Measurements are the customer's actual measurements — the calculator adds the wearing ease a garment needs on top. Finished Garment is for entering the dimensions of an existing, well-fitting piece of clothing directly, with no ease added. If you're unsure which to use, Body Measurements is the more common starting point; see the measuring guide for how to take each one.
Choose from a two- or three-piece suit, sport coat, slacks, waistcoat, or dress shirt. A three-piece suit includes a waistcoat; the two-piece doesn't.
Fit (slim, modern, or classic) changes how much wearing ease is added in Body Measurements mode. Lapel style, pocket style, pleats, and fabric type (plain, stripe, or check) all affect the layout and how much cloth is needed — pattern-matching for striped or checked fabric adds extra yardage automatically.
Only the fields relevant to your chosen garment are shown. Tap any field's label for a short description of exactly where to measure. Switch between inches and centimeters using the unit toggle in the top corner.
You'll get separate totals for shell fabric, lining, and interfacing, plus a Suggested Order — the shell total with a 10% buffer built in for cutting and handling. Below that, a to-scale pattern layout diagram shows how the pieces fit across your chosen fabric width (54″, 58″, or 60″).
Most suiting fabric runs 58″ or 60″ wide; some shirting and lighter cloth runs 54″. Picking the correct width matters — the calculator lays pattern pieces out across whatever width you choose, and a narrower bolt of cloth needs more total length to fit the same pieces.
The pattern layout is a guide, not a cutting pattern. Piece shapes and proportions are derived from your measurements and aim to be as accurate as possible, but actual requirements vary by seam allowances, pattern repeat, and individual working methods. Always confirm yardage with your tailor before ordering fabric.
Need help with a specific measurement? Read the measuring guide, or head back to the calculator to get started.