Bag

Calculate Fabric for Your Perfect Tote Bag

Making your own bag is a rewarding project that lets you create something unique and personalized. Whether you are sewing a grocery tote, a work bag, or a simple storage basket, knowing exactly how much fabric you need is the first step. Our Bag Calculator takes the guesswork out of fabric estimation by doing the math for you.

Simply enter your desired bag dimensions (height, width, and depth), choose whether you want box corners, and the calculator instantly tells you the fabric width and height you need to cut. You can switch between centimeters and inches to match your measuring tools.

How to Use the Bag Calculator

Start by selecting your preferred unit of measurement (centimeters or inches). Enter the desired height, width, and depth of your finished bag. The depth determines how wide the base of your bag will be. If you want a flat-bottomed bag, enable the box corners option. The calculator will then display the fabric dimensions you need to cut and, if applicable, the box corner size.

A half-inch seam allowance is included in all calculations, so you can cut your fabric directly according to the results without adding extra.

Bag Measurement Formulas

Our calculator uses two simple formulas to estimate the required fabric:

Fabric Width = (2 x Width) + (2 x Depth) + Seam Allowance

Fabric Height = Height + (0.5 x Depth) + Seam Allowance

Box Corner = Depth / 2

The seam allowance is 1 unit (1 cm or 1 inch depending on your selection). For example, if you want a bag that is 40 cm wide, 35 cm tall, and 15 cm deep, the fabric width needed is 2 x 40 + 2 x 15 + 1 = 111 cm, and the fabric height is 35 + 7.5 + 1 = 43.5 cm. Box corners would be 15 / 2 = 7.5 cm.

Types of Tote Bags You Can Make

Tote bags come in many styles, and our calculator works for all of them. Picnic tote bags, cotton grocery bags, canvas work totes, market bags, and even fabric storage baskets all share the same basic measurement approach. The key dimensions are always height, width, and depth. Once you know these, you can determine the fabric needed for any style. For a different sewing project, check out our Circle Skirt Calculator.