Knife pleat fabric width calculator
Calculate repeated knife-pleat intake and the flat width required for a finished panel.
Your measurements
01 / INPUTUse the units shown beside each field. Whole counts must be whole numbers.
Your result
02 / PLANNo saved baseline.
What changes when…
Baseline comparison
Save a baseline, then change your inputs. The difference is current minus baseline. Saved values stay in this browser.
| Result | Baseline | Current | Difference |
|---|
Use the result
Make a three-pleat sample to verify the marking rhythm and finished width before marking the full length.
Assumptions that matter
- Underfold depth is the hidden return on one side of a knife pleat; total intake is twice that depth.
- The model assumes identical pleats across the entire finished panel.
- Closures, darts and unpleated sections should be removed from the target width and added separately.
- Fabric thickness can alter how tightly pleats lie.
Common questions
How is the result calculated?
The formula reference shows every equation and defines the input variables. Whole-item results explicitly round to whole quantities where needed.
How should I use the example?
The initial numbers are a worked example. Replace them with measurements from your own project before making a plan. Three calculated scenarios appear on the examples page.
Can I compare two plans?
Yes. Save a baseline, change one or more inputs, and compare the result table. The chart changes only one input at a time.
Does this upload my measurements?
No. Calculations run in this browser. Saving a baseline uses local browser storage; the scenario-link button includes entered numbers in a URL fragment you choose to share.
Need a paper record? Use the measurement worksheet.