Softwiro
Free tool

Fabric consumption calculator

Enter the marker length and how many pieces it holds to get fabric per piece in metres, in kilograms if you add width and GSM, and the fabric to buy for the whole order.

The example figures are for illustration only, not market averages.

1. Marker
You buy fabric by
m
pieces

All pieces across the sizes laid in the marker.

cm

What is left at the start and end of each ply when spreading.

2. Fabric
cm

The net width the marker was made for. For tubular fabric, enter the opened width.

g/m²

GSM from the supplier invoice or a GSM cutter. Needed for kilograms, or to convert between metres and kilograms.

3. Other losses
%
4. Order (optional)
pieces
%

How the calculator works

  • Metres per piece: (marker length + end loss) ÷ pieces in the marker × (1 + other losses).
  • Weight of a metre: width in metres × weight in g/m² ÷ 1000, in kilograms.
  • Kilograms per piece: metres per piece × weight of a metre.
  • Order: pieces needed = quantity ÷ (1 − reject rate); plies = pieces ÷ pieces in the marker, rounded up; fabric = plies × (marker length + end loss) × (1 + other losses).

Getting the number right

  • Take the marker length from the actual marker or the pattern software, not from a similar style.
  • Use the usable width the marker was made for, without the selvedges.
  • A part ply counts as a whole one: if the pieces do not divide by the marker's pieces, the last ply is still spread in full and cuts a few extra.
  • Check the GSM of every lot when you buy by weight: it varies between lots, and that changes the metres in a kilogram.

This calculator is for one style. As orders multiply, MESwiro's material requirements planning breaks planned orders into components and nets shortages against stock, so you know what to buy before a job waits for material.

See MESwiro · Work out cost per piece

Questions

How do I find the GSM?

From the supplier invoice or fabric card. To check it, cut a 100 cm² disc with a GSM cutter, weigh it in grams and multiply by 100.

Why are plies rounded up?

Because a ply is spread in full. Need 1,031 pieces from a 5-piece marker and you spread 207 plies and cut 1,035 pieces.

Does it work for woven and knit fabric?

Yes. Woven fabric sold by the metre needs only the marker length and pieces. Knit sold by the kilogram also needs the width and GSM, to turn metres into kilograms.

Do you store the figures I enter?

No. The calculation runs in your browser and the figures are not sent to us. To come back to them, use "Copy link to this calculation".

Want this in a spreadsheet you can keep? Download the free Excel template (in Arabic).

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