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How Many Quilt Blocks Do I Need? Blocks Across, Down and Total for 11 Quilt Sizes

Last updated Researched from specs, manuals and owner reviews We earn from qualifying purchases
Quick answer

Divide the quilt width by the finished block size for blocks across, and the length for blocks down, then multiply. A 90 x 95 inch queen quilt needs 64 blocks of 12 inches (8 x 8), making a 96 x 96 inch top, or 49 blocks (7 x 7) if the top must not exceed the target.

Pick your finished block size and the quilt you are making. The calculator counts blocks across and down, gives the total to cut and sew, and shows the real size of the finished top, so you know exactly how much border you need to make up the difference.

Your blocks

Finished, each side

Your results

Blocks to make

64 blocks

8 across x 8 down

Actual top size96 x 96 in
Versus target+6 in wide, +1 in long
Cut blocks (unfinished)12 1/2 x 12 1/2 in
Blocks with one more row72

Machines that handle this quilt comfortably

Baby, crib and wall quilts fit through almost any machine. A good computerized machine with a walking foot and wide table is plenty.

Prices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

How do you calculate how many quilt blocks you need?

Treat each block and the sashing beside it as one repeating unit, count how many units fit in the space inside the borders, and multiply across by down. Here is the math for a 68 x 90 inch twin quilt with 10 inch finished blocks, 2 inch sashing and 4 inch borders.

  1. Remove the borders. 68 minus 8 = 60 inches wide, and 90 minus 8 = 82 inches long.
  2. Add one sashing width, because there is one fewer strip than blocks, and divide by the unit of block plus sashing (12 inches). Across: (60 + 2) / 12 = 5.17. Down: (82 + 2) / 12 = 7.
  3. Round to whole blocks. Nearest gives 5 across and 7 down.
  4. Multiply. 5 x 7 = 35 blocks.
  5. Rebuild the real size. 5 blocks x 10 plus 4 sashing strips x 2 plus 8 inches of border = 66 inches wide; the same math gives 90 inches long.

The rebuilt size is the number to trust, not the target you typed in. If it lands a few inches off, widen or narrow the borders. Borders are the easiest part of a quilt to change, and changing them does not touch a single block.

How many 12 inch blocks does each quilt size need?

Every row uses the calculator with 12 inch finished blocks and nearest-block rounding, the most common block size in patterns. The last two columns show how 2 inch sashing, then 2 inch sashing plus 4 inch borders, reduce the count. Sizes follow our quilt size chart.

12 in blocks needed by quilt size
QuiltTarget (in)No sashingTop (in)2 in sashingSashing + 4 in border
Mini / Wall Hanging 24 x 24 2 x 2 = 4 24 x 24 2 x 2 = 4 1 x 1 = 1
Baby 40 x 40 3 x 3 = 9 36 x 36 3 x 3 = 9 2 x 2 = 4
Crib 36 x 52 3 x 4 = 12 36 x 48 3 x 4 = 12 2 x 3 = 6
Lap 45 x 60 4 x 5 = 20 48 x 60 3 x 4 = 12 3 x 4 = 12
Throw 50 x 65 4 x 5 = 20 48 x 60 4 x 5 = 20 3 x 4 = 12
Twin 68 x 90 6 x 8 = 48 72 x 96 5 x 7 = 35 4 x 6 = 24
Twin XL 68 x 95 6 x 8 = 48 72 x 96 5 x 7 = 35 4 x 6 = 24
Full / Double 83 x 90 7 x 8 = 56 84 x 96 6 x 7 = 42 6 x 6 = 36
Queen 90 x 95 8 x 8 = 64 96 x 96 7 x 7 = 49 6 x 6 = 36
King 106 x 95 9 x 8 = 72 108 x 96 8 x 7 = 56 7 x 6 = 42
California King 102 x 99 9 x 8 = 72 108 x 96 7 x 7 = 49 7 x 7 = 49

How does block size change the number of blocks?

Block count falls fast as blocks get bigger, because it depends on the square of the size. Halving the block from 12 to 6 inches roughly quadruples the blocks. That is the difference between a weekend of piecing and a season of it.

Blocks needed by finished block size, no sashing or borders
BlockThrow 50 x 65Queen, nearestQueen, never bigger
6 inch 8 x 11 = 88 240 (90 x 96 in) 225 (90 x 90 in)
8 inch 6 x 8 = 48 132 (88 x 96 in) 121 (88 x 88 in)
9 inch 6 x 7 = 42 110 (90 x 99 in) 100 (90 x 90 in)
10 inch 5 x 7 = 35 90 (90 x 100 in) 81 (90 x 90 in)
12 inch 4 x 5 = 20 64 (96 x 96 in) 49 (84 x 84 in)
14 inch 4 x 5 = 20 42 (84 x 98 in) 36 (84 x 84 in)
16 inch 3 x 4 = 12 36 (96 x 96 in) 25 (80 x 80 in)

Each block size links to a page with its unfinished size, the grids it divides into cleanly, and nine patch yardage. If you already know the look you want, the quilt block size calculator works backward from a layout to the block size.

Nearest versus never bigger

For a queen with 12 inch blocks, nearest rounding gives 64 blocks and a 96 inch wide top. Never bigger gives 49 blocks and an 84 inch wide center, which a 3 inch border on each side brings back to 90 inches.

Is it better to add blocks or add borders?

Both reach the same size, and each has a cost. An extra row of 12 inch blocks on a queen means 8 more blocks to cut, piece, press and trim. A wider border is a few long strips. On the other hand, a border wider than about a third of the block size can look like an afterthought on a busy quilt, and a very wide border on a bed quilt hides the pieced center over the edge of the mattress.

A good rule is to use blocks to get within one unit of the target, then borders for the rest. The results panel shows how many blocks one more row would take, so you can weigh that against a border. Once the count is set, plan the strips with the sashing and border calculator and the fabric with the quilt fabric yardage calculator.

What block size is best for a first quilt?

Bigger blocks mean fewer seams and fewer points to match, which is why most beginner patterns use 10 or 12 inch blocks. A 50 x 65 inch throw in 10 inch blocks is only 35 blocks, a very achievable first project. Small blocks of 6 inches or less look intricate but multiply the cutting, and every 1/8 inch of seam error shows up more often across the quilt.

Simple blocks also forgive a less accurate 1/4 inch seam. A plain square, a four patch or a nine patch built on a 12 inch block has pieces 6 or 4 inches finished, large enough to handle comfortably and press flat. Once your seams are consistent, move to smaller blocks and sashing, which add structure and hide small size differences between blocks.

Can your machine handle the finished quilt?

A block count is also a workload. Sixty-four blocks on a queen means hundreds of seams to piece, and then a 96 inch quilt to push through your machine. Straight-stitch machines built for quilters piece faster and give more room to the right of the needle. If the top will be wider than about 65 inches, look at the throat space calculator or compare hiring a longarmer with owning a machine in the longarm cost calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How many 12 inch blocks do I need for a queen quilt?

For a 90 x 95 inch queen with no sashing or borders, 8 blocks across and 8 down, or 64 blocks, makes a 96 x 96 inch top. If you would rather stay under the target and add borders, use 7 x 7, which is 49 blocks and an 84 x 84 inch center. Adding 2 inch sashing changes it to 49 blocks.

How many 10 inch blocks make a throw quilt?

A 50 x 65 inch throw takes 5 blocks across and 7 down, 35 blocks in all, for a 50 x 70 inch top with no sashing or borders. A layer cake of 42 squares 10 inches wide is a popular way to make a throw, though each square needs to be trimmed since the finished block is 1/2 inch smaller than the cut square.

Do borders reduce the number of blocks I need?

Yes. Borders take up width and length on both sides before any blocks are counted. A 68 x 90 inch twin with 10 inch blocks, 2 inch sashing and 4 inch borders needs 5 x 7 = 35 blocks. Wide borders are a quick way to reach a bed size with fewer pieced blocks, which saves cutting and sewing time.

Should I round the number of blocks up or down?

Rounding to the nearest block keeps the top closest to your target, sometimes a little bigger. Rounding down guarantees the top is never larger than planned and leaves room for borders to finish the size. Choose "never bigger" when the quilt must fit a specific bed or wall, and "nearest" when you just want the right general size.

How do I calculate blocks for a quilt with sashing?

Add the sashing width to the block size to get one repeating unit. Add one sashing width to the quilt width, since there is one fewer strip than blocks, and divide by the unit. Five 12 inch blocks with 2 inch sashing use 60 inches of block plus 8 inches of sashing, 68 inches in all. The calculator does this for both directions.

How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.