Hexagon Quilt Calculator
Calculate how many full and half hexagons you need for your quilt. Estimate rows, columns, and total fabric yardage.
How to Calculate Pieces and Fabric for a Hexagon Quilt
Hexagon quilts (often referred to as grandmother's flower garden or mosaic quilts) are beautiful, classic quilting projects. Because hexagons interlock rather than stack in simple squares, calculating the number of hexagons and half-hexagons needed can be geometrically challenging. Our Hexagon Quilt Calculator takes the guesswork out of the math, planning the perfect columns, rows, and fabric yardage for you.
Understanding Hexagon Layout Math
To make a straight edge on the top, bottom, and sides of a rectangular quilt, you will need both **full hexagons** and **half hexagons** (cut flat side to flat side). Here is how the calculator computes the layout:
- Hexagon Size: Measured as the finished side length (from center to point or length of any edge).
- Columns: Vertically stacked columns are spaced horizontally by
d * sqrt(3)(flat-to-flat spacing). The number of columns needed is calculated to fill the quilt width. - Rows: The vertical offset for nested rows is
1.5 * d. The rows count is calculated to fill the quilt length. - Fabric Yardage: Estimates standard fabric requirements (typically 44" wide quilting cotton) including a safety margin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hexagons do I need to make a 90" by 90" quilt with 4" hexagons?
You will need 184 full hexagons and 14 half hexagons to make a 90" by 90" quilt with 4" hexagons. Your quilt layout will comprise 13 columns and 15 rows.
What size is standard for a hexagon template?
In quilting, hexagons are measured by their side length. For example, a "1-inch hexagon" has sides that are exactly 1 inch long. The point-to-point width of a 1-inch hexagon is 2 inches, and the flat-to-flat height is approximately 1.73 inches.
Do I need half-hexagons for my quilt?
Yes, if you want your quilt to have straight, rectangular edges. Half-hexagons are placed along the left and right sides to fill in the zig-zag gaps between columns. You will typically need Y - 1 half-hexagons, where Y is the number of rows.
How much fabric should I buy for a hexagon quilt?
It depends on the size of your hexagons and how you cut them. Generally, you should add at least a 10% to 15% extra safety margin to your fabric calculations to account for cutting errors, misaligned prints, and seam allowances (typically 1/4 inch on all sides of each hexagon).
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