House of Fabrika
International Fabric Conversion Guide
Our fabrics are measured the American way — in yards, inches, and ounces. This guide translates every measurement into metric, so you can order with confidence from anywhere in the world.
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01 — Fabric Weight
Ounces per square yard to grams per square meter
Fabric weight tells you how substantial a fabric feels in hand — its body, drape, and durability. We list weight in ounces per square yard (oz/yd²); most of the world uses grams per square meter (GSM). One ounce per square yard equals 33.9 grams per square meter.
| oz/yd² | GSM | Feels like |
|---|---|---|
| 4 oz | 136 g/m² | Airy — sheers, voiles, light linens |
| 5 oz | 170 g/m² | Light drapery, quilting-weight cotton |
| 6 oz | 203 g/m² | Everyday drapery, light curtains |
| 7 oz | 237 g/m² | Curtains, table linens, pillow shams |
| 8 oz | 271 g/m² | Pillows, Roman shades, bedding |
| 9 oz | 305 g/m² | Heavier pillows, light upholstery |
| 10 oz | 339 g/m² | Upholstery, slipcovers, ottomans |
| 11 oz | 373 g/m² | Durable upholstery, headboards |
| 12 oz+ | 407 g/m²+ | Heavy-duty upholstery, high traffic |
As a rule of thumb: lightweight fabrics fall between 4–6 oz/yd² (135–205 GSM), medium-weight fabrics between 6–9 oz/yd² (205–305 GSM), and heavyweight fabrics at 9 oz/yd² and above (305+ GSM). You'll find each fabric's exact weight listed in the specifications on its product page.
02 — Yardage
Yards to meters
All of our fabric is sold by the yard and cut in half-yard increments. One yard measures 36 inches — equal to 0.9144 meters, so a yard is slightly shorter than a meter. If your project calls for metric lengths, we recommend rounding up.
| You order | Inches | Meters | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|---|
| ½ yard | 18″ | 0.46 m | 45.7 cm |
| 1 yard | 36″ | 0.91 m | 91.4 cm |
| 1½ yards | 54″ | 1.37 m | 137.2 cm |
| 2 yards | 72″ | 1.83 m | 182.9 cm |
| 3 yards | 108″ | 2.74 m | 274.3 cm |
| 4 yards | 144″ | 3.66 m | 365.8 cm |
| 5 yards | 180″ | 4.57 m | 457.2 cm |
| 6 yards | 216″ | 5.49 m | 548.6 cm |
| 8 yards | 288″ | 7.32 m | 731.5 cm |
| 10 yards | 360″ | 9.14 m | 914.4 cm |
Ordering multiple yards of the same fabric? Your order ships as one continuous cut whenever possible.
03 — Fabric Width
Inches to centimeters
Fabric is sold by length — the width is fixed by how the fabric is woven. Most of our home décor fabrics are woven 54 inches wide, which is the industry standard for drapery and upholstery in the United States. To convert any width, multiply inches by 2.54.
| Width | Centimeters | Commonly used for |
|---|---|---|
| 44 / 45″ | 112–114 cm | Quilting cottons, craft fabrics |
| 54″Our standard | 137 cm | Home décor, drapery, upholstery |
| 58″ | 147 cm | Some upholstery and apparel weaves |
| 60″ | 152 cm | Apparel, outdoor fabrics |
| 108″ | 274 cm | Wide-width drapery lining, backing |
The exact width of each fabric is listed in the specifications on its product page. Usable width may be slightly less than the stated width once selvages are trimmed.
04 — Pattern Repeat
Repeat sizes, inches to centimeters
The pattern repeat is the distance before a printed or woven motif repeats itself — vertically along the length, and horizontally across the width. Larger repeats generally require extra yardage for pattern matching across seams, drapery panels, or cushion faces.
| Repeat | Centimeters | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5″ | 11.4 cm | Small — minimal extra yardage |
| 9″ | 22.9 cm | Small to medium |
| 13.5″ | 34.3 cm | Medium |
| 18″ | 45.7 cm | Medium to large |
| 27″ | 68.6 cm | Large — allow one extra repeat per cut |
| 36″ | 91.4 cm | Oversized statement patterns |
A quick rule for pattern matching: add one full vertical repeat per cut length beyond the first. For a 27″ repeat and three drapery panels, that's roughly 1½ extra yards.
05 — At a Glance
Quick formulas
Every conversion on this page, condensed to six multiplications.
06 — Good to Know
Before you order internationally
- Round up, not down. Because a yard is about 9 centimeters shorter than a meter, always convert your metric requirement to yards and round up to the next half yard.
- Yardage estimates are approximate. Every project is different — we always recommend confirming requirements with your workroom, upholsterer, or pattern before ordering.
- Cut fabric is made to order. Fabric is cut to your exact yardage, so cut orders cannot be returned or exchanged. When in doubt, start with a swatch.
- Swatches take the guesswork out. A swatch lets you confirm color, weight, and hand in person before committing to yardage.
- International orders require a recipient phone number for the carrier and customs. Duties and import taxes, where applicable, are the responsibility of the recipient.
Questions about a specific fabric's measurements? Reach out — we're happy to confirm before you order.