← Back to Black Dog Upholstery
Resource Guide

Measurement Guide

Bring these numbers when you come in — or email them to us — and we'll give you a faster, more accurate estimate.

Sofa / Sectional

Take these 6 measurements before calling for an estimate.

Front View
A — Overall Width B — Back Height C — Seat Ht D
Side View — Depth
E — Seat Depth
What to Measure
  • A
    Overall Width
    Measure from the outside of one arm to the outside of the other arm. Include any flared or rolled arm detail in this measurement.
  • B
    Back Height
    From the floor to the top of the back cushion (or the top of the frame if there are no cushions). Measure at the tallest point.
  • C
    Seat Height
    From the floor to the top of the seat cushion. If cushions are removable, measure to the top of the deck fabric.
  • D
    Arm Height
    From the seat level (not the floor) to the top of the arm. This helps us understand the arm style and fabric needed.
  • E
    Seat Depth
    From the front edge of the seat to the back (where the cushion meets the back). Best measured from the side.
  • F
    Number of Cushions
    Count seat cushions and back cushions separately. Note if any are attached (attached back or tufted).
Pro Tips for Sofas
  • Measure at the widest point — arm styles vary and the widest measurement matters most for yardage.
  • Note whether the back cushions are attached or removable — this affects how the fabric is cut and installed.
  • For sectionals, treat each section (corner piece, armless piece, end piece) as a separate unit and measure each one.
  • If the piece has a skirt, measure its height separately from the seat height.

Armchair / Club Chair

Five key measurements covers most chair styles.

Front View
A — Overall Width B — Back Height C — Seat Ht
What to Measure
  • A
    Overall Width
    Measure from the outermost point of one arm to the other. Include any roll or flare in the arm style.
  • B
    Back Height
    Floor to the top of the chair back. Measure at the highest point, including any button or tufting detail.
  • C
    Seat Height
    Floor to the seat surface. If there's a cushion, measure to the top of the cushion in its normal state.
  • D
    Seat Depth
    Front edge of seat to where the seat meets the back. Easiest to measure from the side of the chair.
  • E
    Arm Height
    From the seat level (not floor) to the top of the arm. This tells us the arm profile and how much fabric it needs.
Pro Tips for Chairs
  • Barrel chairs and wingback chairs require additional measurements — call us and we can walk you through it.
  • Note the arm style: T-arm, waterfall arm, box arm, or rounded — this affects yardage significantly.
  • If the chair has a loose seat cushion, remove it and measure the seat platform separately.

Ottoman / Bench

Three simple measurements is all we need.

3/4 View
A — Width B — Depth C — Height
What to Measure
  • A
    Width
    The full length of the ottoman or bench from side to side at its widest point.
  • B
    Depth
    Front to back at the deepest point. For round ottomans, measure the diameter instead.
  • C
    Height
    Floor to the top of the upholstered surface. Include leg height in this total measurement.
  • +
    Leg Style
    Note whether legs are separate (wood, metal) or upholstered. If upholstered, describe the skirt or leg style.
Pro Tips for Ottomans & Benches
  • For tufted ottomans, the depth of the button tufting adds yardage — let us know if it's tufted.
  • Storage ottomans with lids are measured the same way; just note that it has a hinged lid so we can plan the fabric layout accordingly.
  • For round ottomans, diameter and height is all we need.

Dining Chair

Whether it's a drop-in seat or full upholstery, here's what to bring.

Front View
A — Seat Width B — Full Height C — Back D — Seat Ht
What to Measure
  • A
    Seat Width
    Measure the upholstered seat panel at its widest point, front edge. If it tapers, note both front and back widths.
  • B
    Seat Depth
    Front edge of seat to back edge. For drop-in seats, remove the seat and measure the panel directly.
  • C
    Back Panel Height
    The height of the upholstered back only — not the full chair height. From where the back upholstery starts to where it ends.
  • D
    Back Panel Width
    The width of the upholstered back panel. Measure at the widest point of the padded area only.
  • +
    Quantity
    How many chairs in the set? We factor this into yardage — matching patterns across a full set of 6 or 8 takes more fabric.
Pro Tips for Dining Chairs
  • Drop-in seat pads are the simplest upholstery job — pop the seat out and bring just the seat pad for an easy same-day quote.
  • If you want a pattern to match across all chairs, let us know early — it takes more yardage to align repeats across multiple pieces.
  • For chairs with upholstered backs, note whether the back is padded on one or both sides.
← Back to Black Dog Upholstery