The Fabric Shrinkage Calculator helps you find out how much fabric has shrunk after it goes through a wash or drying cycle. This is useful for clothing manufacturers, tailors, fabric buyers, and home sewers who want to make sure their fabric measurements stay accurate after treatment. Using this tool ensures that you can plan for shrinkage and avoid size or fitting issues in the final product.
This tool belongs to the textile quality control and fabric measurement calculators category. It helps reduce guesswork and prevent fabric waste by offering a simple way to track shrinkage percentage based on your fabric's pre- and post-treatment dimensions.
formula of Fabric Shrinkage Calculator
Shrinkage Percentage = ((Original Measurement − Final Measurement) / Original Measurement) × 100
Where:
Shrinkage Percentage = How much the fabric has shrunk, expressed as a percentage. If the result is negative, it means the fabric has stretched.
Original Measurement = The length or width of the fabric before washing or treatment (in inches, cm, or mm)
Final Measurement = The new size of the fabric after it has been washed, dried, or treated
Detailed Calculation Steps:
- Prepare a Fabric Sample
Cut a square sample like 10 inches by 10 inches or 50 cm by 50 cm. Use a fabric-safe marker to mark the points you’ll measure from. - Measure Original Dimensions
Before washing, measure the marked length and width accurately and note them down. - Wash and Dry the Fabric
Follow the care instructions or testing standards like AATCC or ISO for washing and drying. Let the sample dry completely. - Measure Final Dimensions
After drying, lay the fabric flat and remeasure using the same marked points. - Calculate Shrinkage for Each Dimension
Length Shrinkage = ((Original Length − Final Length) / Original Length) × 100
Width Shrinkage = ((Original Width − Final Width) / Original Width) × 100
Fabric Shrinkage Reference Table
| Fabric Type | Average Shrinkage After Wash | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Cotton | 4% to 10% | Shrinks more when not pre-shrunk |
| Linen | 3% to 5% | Needs gentle care to limit shrinkage |
| Wool | 7% to 15% | Hand wash or dry clean preferred |
| Polyester | <2% | Low shrinkage, heat-sensitive |
| Rayon | 3% to 8% | Needs cold wash and flat dry |
| Denim | 6% to 10% | Often pre-treated to reduce shrinkage |
This table helps users estimate typical shrinkage percentages before testing.
Example of Fabric Shrinkage Calculator
Suppose you cut a 50 cm × 50 cm cotton fabric sample. After washing and drying, it measures 47 cm × 48.5 cm.
Length Shrinkage = ((50 − 47) / 50) × 100 = 6%
Width Shrinkage = ((50 − 48.5) / 50) × 100 = 3%
So, the fabric shrank 6% in length and 3% in width. This tells you to allow extra fabric if you’re making fitted garments or items with exact dimensions.
Most Common FAQs
It helps you plan ahead for size changes that occur after washing, avoiding fitting problems in clothes or covers.
No, different fabrics shrink differently. Natural fibers like cotton and wool shrink more than synthetic ones like polyester.
While you can’t always stop it completely, pre-washing and air drying your fabric can help reduce future shrinkage during use.