FAS Calculator
Disclaimer: All calculators in the Textile Calculator have been reviewed by the relevant textile industry experts.
Formula for “FAS Calculator”
FAS (Fabric Area Shrinkage) Formula:
FAS (%) = [(Before Wash Area - After Wash Area) / Before Wash Area] × 100
Where:
- Before Wash Area = Length Before Wash × Width Before Wash
- After Wash Area = Length After Wash × Width After Wash
Table of Contents
What is FAS in Textile?
FAS stands for Fabric Area Shrinkage. It shows the percentage of area lost after washing a fabric. It is a common factor in garment and fabric production. Fabric often changes shape after washing. FAS helps measure how much the area reduces. It helps manufacturers control fabric quality.
Why is FAS Important?
FAS shows how stable the fabric is. A fabric with high shrinkage can cause defects in garments. It can make clothes lose shape or size. Measuring FAS before production helps reduce waste. It also helps ensure good fit and finish. Customers want clothes that do not shrink. So FAS helps maintain product quality.
How to Calculate FAS?
To calculate Fabric Area Shrinkage (FAS), you need four values:
- Length before wash
- Width before wash
- Length after wash
- Width after wash
Use this formula:
FAS (%) = [(Before Wash Area - After Wash Area) / Before Wash Area] × 100
Here is the step-by-step:
- Multiply length and width before washing to get the total area before washing.
- Multiply length and width after washing to get the total area after washing.
- Subtract the after-wash area from the before-wash area.
- Divide the result by the before-wash area.
- Multiply the result by 100 to get the percentage.
Example:
- Length before wash = 100 cm
- Width before wash = 50 cm
- Area before wash = 100 × 50 = 5000 cm²
- Length after wash = 98 cm
- Width after wash = 49 cm
- Area after wash = 98 × 49 = 4802 cm²
- FAS = [(5000 – 4802) / 5000] × 100 = 3.96%
This means the fabric shrinks about 4% after washing.
Use of FAS Calculator in Production
FAS calculator is a quick tool for textile engineers. It helps save time in calculating area shrinkage. In factories, production officers use this during sample testing. It ensures the fabric meets quality standards.
In production, even small shrinkage can affect cutting and stitching. The FAS calculator helps reduce fabric wastage. It also improves the sizing accuracy in garments.
When to Use the FAS Calculator
Use the FAS calculator after washing fabric samples. It helps during:
- Lab dips and trial tests
- Bulk fabric approval
- Washing tests in garment production
- Fabric inspection
It is useful for knit, woven, and denim fabrics. Different fabrics shrink in different ways. This tool helps to compare fabric performance easily.
Benefits of Using a FAS Calculator
Accuracy
Manual calculations can cause mistakes. The FAS calculator gives quick and accurate results. It reduces errors and saves time.
Speed
In busy factories, speed matters. This tool gives instant results. Engineers can check multiple samples in minutes.
Easy to Use
You do not need to be a math expert. Just enter four numbers. The result shows automatically.
Consistent Quality
By tracking shrinkage, you can reject unstable fabric. This keeps your product quality high. It reduces customer complaints.
FAS in Garment Fit and Finish
FAS directly affects garment measurements. If fabric shrinks after cutting, the garment will not fit. For example, a T-shirt might become too tight after washing. This causes customer dissatisfaction.
Brands expect suppliers to test shrinkage in advance. Using a FAS calculator before cutting helps maintain the right shape and size. It also supports better grading and pattern making.
Common Shrinkage Range by Fabric Type
| Fabric Type | Typical FAS (%) |
|---|---|
| Cotton Knit | 3–7% |
| Denim | 2–5% |
| Polyester | 0–2% |
| Viscose | 4–8% |
| Woven Cotton | 1–4% |
This table helps compare how different fabrics behave after washing.
Final Thoughts
FAS calculator is a useful tool for every textile professional. It ensures product stability, fit, and quality. Whether you are a fabric merchandiser or a garment technician, you should use this tool in your daily operations. It saves time, improves accuracy, and maintains customer satisfaction.
Always test shrinkage before going to bulk production. It is one of the key steps in quality control. Keep using the FAS calculator to support smooth production and high product standards.