Fabric Shrinkage Calculator
Calculate the percentage change between a measured fabric specimen before and after washing, then estimate the pre-wash length needed for a target finished length.
Use one unit consistently (cm, inches, or another unit). A negative result means the specimen expanded in that direction.
Measured change
4.00% length
2.00% width
Estimated pre-wash length for the target: 104.17 units
Decision boundary
This is arithmetic from one specimen. It does not establish a fabric-wide or production-lot shrinkage rate.
Record fibre, construction, specimen dimensions, sampling, conditioning, wash or test method, drying, pressing, measurement points, and the applicable product tolerance.
Fabric shrinkage FAQ
How do you calculate fabric shrinkage?
Subtract the after-wash measurement from the before-wash measurement, divide by the before-wash measurement, and multiply by 100. Calculate lengthwise and widthwise change separately.
Does this predict how a whole garment will shrink?
No. It calculates the change you entered for one specimen. Fibre, construction, finishing, garment shape, seams, conditioning, and the test method can change the result.
What should I record with a shrinkage result?
Record the specimen, dimensions, sampling, conditioning, wash or test method, drying, pressing, measurement points, and the product-specific tolerance. A percentage without that context is not a comparable test record.