Bunting Calculator — Metres of Bunting Needed

Measure the walls you want to decorate in metres. For straight runs, add about 10% extra for tying and overlap. For a gentle draped or swag effect, add roughly 15-20% more than the wall length to allow for the dip in each loop. A deep, pronounced swag can need more.

Most UK bunting is sold in lengths of 3m, 5m, or 10m. Fabric bunting tends to come in longer lengths. Check the listing carefully as some cheaper options are shorter than expected.

Typical UK shop-bought bunting fits about 3 to 3.5 flags per metre — for example, cotton bunting has around 33 triangular flags on a 10m string (a 19cm flag plus a 10cm gap, about a 29cm pitch). So a 3m string holds roughly 10-12 flags. The flag count this calculator gives uses your flag pitch (flag width plus the gap between flags).

Absolutely. For DIY bunting, each flag triangle typically uses a 20cm x 20cm piece of fabric, with a gap of about 10cm between flags. That gives a pitch (flag plus gap) of around 28-30cm, so a 3m string fits about 10-12 flags.

Use cable ties, garden twine, or adhesive hooks. For outdoor events, secure bunting firmly as wind can pull it down. Nylon or plastic bunting withstands weather better than paper or fabric.