Quick answer
How do I calculate yarn requirement for knit fabric?
Yarn = finished fabric ÷ (1 − dyeing loss) ÷ (1 − knitting loss).
Finished fabric = Qty × Weight × (1 + Cutting%)
How it works
Yarn Consumption Calculator
Work backwards from finished garments to the yarn you need to buy — through cutting, dyeing and knitting losses.
Process and knitting losses are a share of the input, so each stage is divided by (1 − loss) rather than multiplied by (1 + loss).
Formula
The formula, in full
- Finished fabric
- Qty × Weight × (1 + Cutting%)
- Greige fabric
- Finished ÷ (1 − Process loss%)
- Yarn
- Greige ÷ (1 − Knitting loss%)
Example
T-shirt order
- 01Finished = 20,000 × 0.21 × 1.08 = 4,536 kg
- 02Greige = 5,040 kg
- 03Yarn = 5,142.9 kg
Use “Load Example” above to run this example in the calculator.
Industry tip
Industry tip
“Dyeing loss for dark shades and reactive dyes on cotton often runs 8–12%; light shades 5–7%.”
Assumptions
What this calculator assumes
- Losses are percentages of the input to each stage.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate yarn requirement for knit fabric?
Yarn = finished fabric ÷ (1 − dyeing loss) ÷ (1 − knitting loss).
Formula and worked example checked by the TextileSuite team on 17 October 2026. Results are planning estimates — confirm critical numbers against your own samples and lab reports.