How to Calculate Fabric for a Sofa

Measure the widest width on the outside back of your sofa, the part of the sofa against the wall. For example, if the top of the sofa is wider than the bottom of the sofa, use the measurement for the top of the sofa. Make a note of this sofa measurement and what part of the sofa it belongs to.

Measure the height of the outside back of the sofa, from the floor to the top. Note this measurement.

Remove the cushions if they do not attach to the sofa. From the front of the sofa, measure the height of the sofa front from the seat to the top. Measure the width of the sofa along the widest part of the back above the seating area. Make a note of these two measurements.

Measure the widest width of the outside side of the sofa and the outside side height. Note these measurements and then double them for fabric-calculation purposes since the sofa has two sides.

Measure the depth of the sofa arm from front to back at its widest point. Note the measurements and double them to compensate for both arms.

Wrap the tape measure around the arm of the sofa from the seat to the outside of the arm. This allows you to get the measurement that includes the extra padding often found on the arms of sofas. Note the arm measurement and double to include the remaining sofa arm.

Measure the depth and width of the attached sofa seat. Measure the height, depth and width of each seat cushion if they do not permanently attach to the sofa. Remember to double the width and depth on cushions to compensate for the bottom of the sofa cushions. Note the measurements accordingly.

Measure the height and width of the sofa front beneath the seat. Make a note of these measurements.

Measure the height and width of the front of the sofa arm. Note the measurements and double them to include the front of the remaining sofa arm.

Add 2 1/2 inches to each measurement to accommodate for seam allowances. Add 5 inches to the measurements you doubled, such as the sides and the arms.

Add all the measurements together and divide the total by 36 to get the total yardage needed to recover your sofa. Add three additional yards of fabric to your final measurements to account for fabric repeats and mistakes.