How many squares from a fat quarter?

A US fat quarter (18″ × 21″) gives 12 squares of 5″, 6 of 6½″ or 2 of 10½″. Set the size of your piece and watch the fat quarter cut up, with the leftover shaded.

Fat quarter cutting simulator

Units Inches & yards Centimetres & metres

Piece width

Piece height

Fat quarter US · 18 × 21″UK / EU · 50 × 55 cm Pieces you need

Try: 2½″ square5″ charm6½″ square10½″ square2½″ × 6½″ rectangle

▶ Play the steps ‹ Back Next ›

1. Start with a fat quarterPressed flat, one edge squared up.
2. Cut stripsAcross the fat quarter, as wide as your piece.
3. Cut the piecesCut each strip into pieces with a ruler and rotary cutter.
4. Count themWhatever is left is too small for another piece.

How to cut a fat quarter

1. Press the fat quarter and straighten one short edge with a ruler and rotary cutter.
2. Cut strips the width of your piece. For 6½″ squares, cut 6½″ strips across the 18″ side: you get 2 full strips (13″) and 5″ left over.
3. Cut each strip into squares of the same size: a 21″ strip gives 3 squares of 6½″ (19½″), with 1½″ left.
4. Count the leftover before you start. If a piece is just too big, try turning it 90° or cutting the other way: the simulator always picks the layout that gives most pieces.

Squares per fat quarter

How many fat quarters does a whole quilt take? See how many fat quarters for every size, or the pre-cut calculator for charm packs, layer cakes and jelly rolls.

Questions quilters ask

How many squares can I cut from a fat quarter?

A US fat quarter is 18 x 21 inches. It gives 56 squares of 2 1/2 inches, 12 of 5 inches, 6 of 6 1/2 inches and 2 of 10 1/2 inches.

What size is a fat quarter?

A US fat quarter is a quarter yard cut as a rectangle of about 18 x 21 inches (half a yard cut in half again along the fold), instead of a long thin 9 x 42 inch quarter yard. In the UK and Europe a fat quarter is about 50 x 55 cm, around 19.7 x 21.7 inches.

Is a fat quarter bigger than a quarter yard?

They hold the same amount of fabric (about 378 square inches), but a fat quarter is a more useful shape: 18 inches wide in one direction lets you cut larger squares and shapes than a 9 inch strip.

How do you cut a fat quarter efficiently?

Square one edge, then cut strips the width of your square across the 18 inch side, then cut each strip into squares. Before you cut, check whether turning the pieces 90 degrees gives you an extra row or column.

How many fat quarters do I need for 20 squares?

4 fat quarters if each square is 6 1/2 inches (6 per fat quarter), or 10 fat quarters for 10 1/2 inch squares (2 per fat quarter).

Keep learning

• Interactive How to calculate quilt backing Drag the quilt size and see the panels, the seams and the yardage change.
• Interactive How to calculate and make quilt binding Watch the strips get cut, joined at 45° and sewn around your quilt.
• Interactive How to make half-square triangles Pick a finished size and method: the cut size and every step, animated.
• Interactive What size quilt for a bed? Choose a mattress, a drop and a pillow tuck and see the quilt fall over the bed.
• Interactive How to set a quilt on point Turn blocks 45° and watch the side and corner triangles fill in.
• Free calculator How many fat quarters? Just want the number? Type your size and get it straight away.

Updated 2026-11-14.