Fabric Width Guide: 150cm vs 170cm & How It Affects Price

When comparing fabric quotes, width is the specification most buyers overlook — and the one that quietly changes price by 10-15%. 150cm vs 170cm is not a trivial detail: wider fabric contains more material per metre, and the choice affects cost, cutting yield and garment planning. Here is what you need to know.

What does fabric width mean?

Fabric width is the distance between the selvedges, measured in centimetres. The most common widths for apparel fabrics are 150cm and 170cm. The width is set on the loom by the number of warp threads — it cannot be changed after weaving.

150cm vs 170cm: the key differences

Feature	150cm	170cm
Material per metre	1.5 m²	1.7 m²
Price per metre	Lower	Higher (about 10-15% more)
Price per m²	Higher per m²	Lower per m² (usually)
Cutting yield	More waste on wide patterns	Better yield for garments
Availability	Standard, easy to source	Common for suiting and trousers
Freight per m³	More rolls per container	Fewer rolls per container

How width affects price

Wider fabric costs more per metre because it uses more yarn and loom width. But the right comparison is price per square metre:

• 170cm fabric at a higher per-metre price can be cheaper per m² because the mill spreads overhead over more area
• Always convert both quotes to per-m² before comparing — otherwise you compare apples to oranges

Which width should you choose?

Choose 150cm if:

• Your garment patterns are narrow (shirts, blouses, linings)
• You want the lowest per-metre price
• Your supplier stocks 150cm — faster lead time, easier reorders

Choose 170cm if:

• You make trousers, suits or wide garments — better cutting yield, less waste
• Your marker efficiency is higher on wider rolls
• You buy suiting-weight fabric (170cm is the suiting standard)

Cutting yield: the hidden cost

A 170cm roll can reduce fabric waste in cutting by 3-8% for trousers and suits because patterns lay out more efficiently. Over a 10,000-metre order, that saving can exceed the per-metre price difference — calculate yield, not just price.

How to compare quotes fairly

1. Convert every quote to price per square metre
2. Confirm the finished width — some suppliers quote grey width that shrinks after finishing
3. Ask about width tolerance (typically ±2cm)
4. Check that the width suits your marker — wider isn't automatically better

Frequently asked questions

Is 170cm fabric more expensive than 150cm?

Per metre, yes — roughly 10-15% more. Per square metre, it is often cheaper or equal because production costs spread wider.

What is the standard width for suiting fabric?

170cm is the common standard for suiting and trousers; 150cm for shirting and lighter fabrics.

Does width affect shipping cost?

Yes — wider rolls take more container volume per metre, so freight per metre rises slightly. Balance this against cutting yield.

Can you supply both widths?

Yes — we produce T/R fabric in 150cm and 170cm finished widths. Specify your width and we quote per metre and per m².