№ / JOURNAL
Yards, Centimetres & Taiwanese Feet: The Complete Fabric Unit Conversion Guide


Start Here: 1 Yard = 91.44 cm ≈ 3 Taiwanese Feet
Whether you spot "only 5 yards left" on a product page or "20-yard minimum for custom printing" in the FAQ, one number anchors everything:
- 1 yard (yd) = 91.44 cm (exact)
- 1 yard ≈ 3 Taiwanese feet (台尺, tái chǐ — the unit still used in traditional Taiwanese fabric markets)
- 1 Taiwanese foot = 30.3 cm
The maths itself is straightforward. The real confusion comes from suppliers mixing units without warning. This guide covers every common scenario so you can order with confidence.

Why Does Fabric Still Use Yards?
The yard is an imperial unit that spread globally during the 18th and 19th centuries alongside the textile industry. The US, Japan (for imported fabric standards), and Taiwan's wholesale fabric markets all kept it because the entire supply chain — pricing, bolt winders, export documents — runs on yards. Converting to metres would add an extra calculation step at every link in the chain.
Taiwan adds one more layer: traditional fabric shops use the Taiwanese foot (台尺, also called 市尺). When an old-school pattern-maker says "give me 3 feet," they mean exactly 1 yard. Same length, different name.

Full Conversion Table: Yards / Taiwanese Feet / Centimetres / Metres
Bookmark or screenshot the table below for quick reference when you are planning a project or placing an order.
| Yards (yd) | Taiwanese Feet (台尺) | Centimetres (cm) | Metres (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.5 | 45.7 | 0.46 |
| 1 | 3 | 91.4 | 0.91 |
| 1.5 | 4.5 | 137.2 | 1.37 |
| 2 | 6 | 182.9 | 1.83 |
| 3 | 9 | 274.3 | 2.74 |
| 5 | 15 | 457.2 | 4.57 |
| 10 | 30 | 914.4 | 9.14 |
| 20 | 60 | 1828.8 | 18.29 |
※ Centimetre values rounded to one decimal place.
Fabric Width Matters Just as Much as Length
Every fabric purchase has two dimensions: length and width. cocochi's house fabrics come in two standard widths: 110 cm and 140 cm. The width you choose directly affects how many yards you need to buy.
- 110 cm width: Best for stuffed toys, small accessories, and pattern pieces that are relatively narrow.
- 140 cm width: Better for adult garments, bedding, and any project that needs wide continuous fabric panels.
Always confirm the width before you finalise your yardage. Getting the length right but buying a bolt that is too narrow means you cannot cut the pieces you need — and no amount of conversion maths will fix that.
Real-Project Yardage Estimates
The figures below are based on 140 cm wide fabric and standard seam allowances. Think of them as a solid starting point, not a guarantee — actual yardage varies with pattern style, seam width, and pattern matching.
- Adult short-sleeve T-shirt (sizes M–L): approx. 1.5 yards (≈ 137 cm)
- Adult long-sleeve top: approx. 2 yards (≈ 183 cm)
- Children's short-sleeve T-shirt (size 110 and under): approx. 0.8–1 yard
- Adult shorts / cropped trousers: approx. 1–1.2 yards
- Tote bag (outer + lining): approx. 0.8 yard outer + 0.8 yard lining
New to estimating fabric? Add a 10–15% buffer to every project. It is always easier to have a little left over than to run short mid-cut.
Quick Mental Maths: Converting Centimetres Back to Yards
If your pattern software says you need 160 cm of fabric, here is how to get to yards in two steps:
- 160 ÷ 91.44 ≈ 1.75 yards
- Round up → buy 2 yards to be safe.
Shortcut rule: cm ÷ 91 ≈ yards. Close enough for quick planning at any stage of a project.
How cocochi's House Sells Fabric: Open Yardage vs. Custom Printing
Knowing the units is step one. Knowing which purchase path fits your project is step two.
In-Stock Fabric (Open Yardage)
- All ready-to-ship fabric at cocochishouse.com is priced and sold by the yard. Each product page shows the per-yard price and any minimum purchase requirement.
- Limited-run prints may have a minimum yard requirement — check the product page for details.
- Domestic Taiwan orders over NT$1,500 ship free via home delivery (Black Cat / HCT).
Custom Digital Printing (Exclusive or Original Prints)
- Custom print runs start at a minimum of 20 yards (≈ 18.3 metres) — the standard small-batch threshold for quality digital fabric printing.
- Every order includes a colour-proof approval step before full production begins.
- This service is designed for indie textile designers, children's apparel brands, and boutique buyers who need a print no one else carries.
- Behind every order is cocochi's house's 40-year pattern-making team — the same craft that has served clients including Best Pale (百事特, a leading Taiwanese childrenswear brand) and Betty Boop licensed apparel.
Not sure whether open yardage or custom printing is right for your project? Get in touch via LINE @cocochishouse. Tell us your intended use and rough yardage, and we will point you in the right direction.
Three Unit Mistakes That Catch Buyers Off Guard
- Yards are not metres. 1 yard is only 0.914 m — nearly 9 cm short. That gap adds up fast when you are ordering 20 yards or more.
- Taiwanese feet are not metres. 1 Taiwanese foot is 30.3 cm. "3 feet" is about 91 cm, not 300 cm.
- Enough length does not mean enough fabric. Always check the bolt width (110 cm or 140 cm) before you commit to a yardage number.
№ / FAQ
FAQ
- Q. What is the minimum order for custom printed fabric at cocochi's house?
- Custom digital printing starts at 20 yards (approximately 18.3 metres). This is the standard small-batch minimum for quality fabric printing. Every custom order includes a colour-proof approval before full production begins. Get in touch via LINE @cocochishouse to start a custom print enquiry.
- Q. Can I order less than a full yard of fabric?
- In-stock fabric is sold by the yard through cocochishouse.com. Minimum purchase quantities vary by product and are listed on each product page. Some limited-edition prints may have a higher minimum. Check the individual listing or contact us for clarification.
- Q. How many yards of fabric do I need for a child's T-shirt?
- For a children's short-sleeve T-shirt in size 110 (roughly ages 4–5) or smaller, budget around 0.8 to 1 yard of 140 cm wide fabric. Smaller sizes need less; always add a 10–15% buffer if you are cutting a new pattern for the first time.
- Q. Does cocochi's house ship fabric internationally?
- cocochi's house is based in Taiwan and primarily serves domestic buyers, but international designers and indie children's apparel brands regularly enquire about custom printing and bulk orders. Get in touch via LINE @cocochishouse or through the website contact form to discuss international shipping options for your order.
- Q. Why do Taiwanese fabric suppliers quote prices in yards instead of metres?
- The yard has been the standard unit across global textile supply chains since the 18th and 19th centuries. Pricing, bolt winder specs, and export documentation all use yards, so switching to metres would add conversion cost at every step. Traditional Taiwanese fabric markets also use the Taiwanese foot (台尺), where 3 Taiwanese feet equal 1 yard — so both units point to the same physical length.
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