Garment costing calculator

How a garment is actually costed

Almost every factory in the world builds a price the same way. Fabric first, because it is usually the largest single line; then the cost of making; then everything bought in; then a percentage on top to keep the lights on and the business solvent.

1. Fabric. Consumption per piece in kilograms, multiplied by the price per kilogram of knitted, dyed and finished cloth, plus cutting wastage. On a plain garment this is typically 50–65% of the ex-factory cost.
2. CMT. Cut, make and trim — the sewing floor's charge per piece. Driven by the number of operations, not by the size of the garment. A baby romper with poppers can cost more to sew than a plain adult tee.
3. Trims and accessories. Zips, cords, buttons, elastic, labels, hangtags, polybags, cartons. Easy to underestimate, and it is often where a costing goes wrong.
4. Value addition. Print, embroidery, appliqué, garment wash. Priced per piece and per placement.
5. Overhead and margin. Factory running cost and profit, applied as a percentage of everything above.

What moves the number most

Fabric consumption, not fabric price. Shaving 5% off consumption usually saves more than negotiating 5% off the price per kilogram, because consumption also drags wastage down with it. Better marker planning is the cheapest saving available to any brand.

Colour count. Splitting an order across many colours means more dye lots, smaller lots, and a higher fabric price per kilogram. See the MOQ and dye-lot planner for what that does.

Operations, not weight. If a costing looks high for a light garment, count the operations. Contrast binding, coverstitch hems, poppers and drawcords each add sewing time.

What this calculator does not include

This gives you an FOB estimate — the cost of the goods at the port of origin. It excludes ocean or air freight, insurance, duty and clearance in your market, any buying-agent commission, and the amortised cost of sampling and development. Add those before you set a retail price.

If you want a number you can plan against rather than an estimate, send us the style, the fabric and the quantity. We will come back with a costing we will stand behind.