AA Enterprises · Buyer Tools
Shrinkage Percentage Calculator
Work out the shrinkage percentage from before and after (finished) dimensions.
Shrinkage % = (before − after) ÷ before × 100. Use the same units on both. To work back to greige from a finished target, use the Shrinkage Allowance Calculator.
Need this quantity quoted?
Send your count, blend and quantity and we will come back with firm pricing ex-Delhi and a lead time, within one working day.
Get a quote Ask on WhatsAppMeasuring shrinkage correctly
Shrinkage percentage is (original minus final) divided by original, times 100. The arithmetic is simple; the measurement discipline is where results go wrong.
Mark a known distance on the fabric before washing — usually 50 cm in both warp and weft — then measure the same marks after washing and drying. Never measure the whole panel edge to edge, because edges distort.
Test conditions matter
This is why shrinkage figures must always come with the test method attached. A 3 per cent figure at 40 degrees line-dried and a 3 per cent figure at 60 degrees tumble-dried describe very different fabrics.
| Variable | Effect on result |
|---|---|
| Water temperature | Hotter water increases shrinkage markedly |
| Tumble vs line dry | Tumble drying adds several per cent |
| Number of wash cycles | Most shrinkage occurs in the first wash, some in the next two |
| Agitation level | Higher agitation increases felting in cotton and wool |
| Relaxation time | Fabric continues to relax for hours after drying |
Worked example
A 50 cm marked length measures 47 cm after washing. Shrinkage = (50 − 47) ÷ 50 × 100 = 6 per cent.
If your tolerance is 5 per cent, this fabric fails — but before rejecting it, confirm the test was run to the same method the tolerance was written against.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate shrinkage percentage?
Subtract the final measurement from the original, divide by the original, and multiply by 100. From 50 cm to 47 cm is 6 per cent shrinkage.
What is an acceptable shrinkage percentage?
It depends on end use. Woven shirting is usually specified at 2 to 3 per cent, knitted garments at 5 per cent or less after compacting.
Does shrinkage happen only in the first wash?
Most of it does, but fabric continues to move for two or three cycles. Standard tests usually specify three washes.
Why do my shrinkage results differ from the mill test?
Almost always test conditions. Water temperature, drying method and agitation all change the result. Match the method before comparing figures.
Can you supply fabric to a shrinkage tolerance?
Yes. Give us the tolerance and the test method it is measured against and we will quote fabric finished to meet it.