Circle Skirt Calculator

Draft a circle skirt pattern by calculating the waist radius, hem radius, and fabric width from your measurements.

Choose the fullness you want, then the calculator converts your waist and length into a clean pattern layout.

Result

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Run the calculation to see the skirt draft measurements.

Quick Answer

The waist opening radius is based on the chosen circle fraction, and the hem radius is the waist radius plus the skirt length and allowances.

How to Use It

  1. Choose centimeters or inches.
  2. Enter your waist circumference and desired skirt length.
  3. Select the fullness and add seam or hem allowance if needed.
  4. Click Calculate to get the cut radii and fabric width.

Formula

Inner radius = waist circumference / (2 x pi x fullness) + seam allowance

Outer radius = inner radius + skirt length + hem allowance

Worked Examples

Example 1: A 72 cm waist on a full circle skirt gives an inner radius of about 11.46 cm before seam allowance.

Example 2: A half-circle skirt needs a larger waist radius because only half the circle carries the waist length.

Example 3: Adding seam and hem allowances increases the cut radius, not the wearer's waist measurement.

How to Interpret Your Results

OutputMeaningAction
Inner radiusThe waist opening draft radius.Mark this first on your pattern paper.
Outer radiusThe hem radius after length and allowances.Use it to draw the outer cutting line.
Fabric diameterTwice the outer radius.Check whether your fabric width is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use a smaller fullness setting, shorten the skirt, or cut the skirt in panels to fit your fabric width.

No. Keep the body measurement separate and add seam allowance as pattern extra so the waist opening stays accurate.

Not always. A quarter or half circle can use less fabric and create a less dramatic silhouette while still following the same drafting idea.

Related Calculators

References

  • OmniCalculator reference page
  • The calculator uses the selected fullness fraction to calculate the skirt's drafting radius.
  • Last reviewed: March 2026.