How Many Inches Are in a Yard of Fabric?

By Staff WriterLast Updated March 25, 2020

A yard of fabric has 36 inches. Fabric is measured by yards or whole “bolts,” depending on the project size it is being used for.

Fabric is measured in length as opposed to width when it is cut at the store. General sizes for one yard of fabric are 36 inches long by 32 to 60 inches wide. One yard of fabric is enough to create a small pillow cover, a baby outfit or a small purse. Larger projects such as curtains, bedspreads and quilts require half or full bolts of fabric. A bolt is an entire spool or reel of fabric.