Best for: Wallets • Cost: $10/sq ft
Accounts for cutting inefficiency, mistakes, and pattern matching
| Weight | Thickness | Best For | Cost/sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2-3 oz | 0.8-1.2mm | Garments | $8 |
| 3-4 oz | 1.2-1.6mm | Wallets | $10 |
| 4-5 oz | 1.6-2.0mm | Bags | $11 |
| 5-6 oz | 2.0-2.4mm | Belts | $12 |
| 7-8 oz | 2.8-3.2mm | Holsters | $14 |
| 8-10 oz | 3.2-4.0mm | Armor | $15 |
Always buy extra: Leather hides have natural variations, scars, and unusable areas. A 20-25% waste factor is realistic for most projects.
Match weight to purpose: Thinner leather (2-4 oz) for flexible items, thicker (5-10 oz) for structural pieces like belts and holsters.
Hide sizes vary: Full hides range from 20-25 sq ft, half hides 12-15 sq ft. Sides and shoulders have different characteristics.
Consider pattern layout: Plan your cuts to avoid weak spots and maximize usable leather. Draw patterns on paper first.
Quality affects cost: Premium vegetable-tanned leather costs more but is easier to tool and mold. Chrome-tanned is cheaper and more water-resistant.
Buy from reputable suppliers: Quality varies significantly. Good suppliers grade their hides and provide accurate square footage measurements.
Inputs
Result
Area per wallet: (8 x 4) / 144 = 0.22 sq ft. Total for 15 wallets: 0.22 x 15 = 3.33 sq ft. Adding 25% waste factor: 3.33 x 1.25 = 4.16 sq ft. At $10/sq ft for 3-4 oz leather, the total cost is approximately $42. You would need 1 half hide (13.5 sq ft average) which provides plenty of material.
Inputs
Result
Belt area: (44 x 1.5) / 144 = 0.46 sq ft. With 20% waste: 0.46 x 1.20 = 0.55 sq ft needed. At $12/sq ft for 5-6 oz leather, the material cost is approximately $6.60. A small scrap piece or a portion of a hide is sufficient for a single belt.
Inputs
Result
Main panel area: (14 x 10) / 144 = 0.97 sq ft. Side panels area: (2 x 4 x 10 + 2 x 4 x 14) / 144 = 1.33 sq ft. Total area: 0.97 + 1.33 = 2.30 sq ft. With 30% waste for a complex pattern: 2.30 x 1.30 = 2.99 sq ft. At $11/sq ft for 4-5 oz leather, the cost is approximately $33.
Measure your project's length and width in inches, then multiply to get square inches. Divide by 144 to convert to square feet. Multiply by the number of items and add 20-30% for waste. For example, a 8"x4" wallet = 32 sq inches = 0.22 sq ft. For 10 wallets with 25% waste: 0.22 x 10 x 1.25 = 2.75 sq ft needed.
Leather weight refers to thickness: 2-3 oz (0.8-1.2mm) is thin for garments, 3-4 oz (1.2-1.6mm) is ideal for wallets, 4-5 oz (1.6-2.0mm) for bags, 5-6 oz (2.0-2.4mm) for belts, 7-8 oz (2.8-3.2mm) for holsters, and 8-10 oz (3.2-4.0mm) for armor and heavy-duty items. Heavier leather is more rigid and durable.
A full cowhide typically contains 20-25 square feet (averaging 22.5 sq ft), while a half hide contains 12-15 square feet (averaging 13.5 sq ft). Actual sizes vary based on the animal's size and how the hide is cut. Sides and shoulders are other common cuts with different sizes.
Leather hides have natural imperfections like scars, brands, holes, and thin areas that are unusable. Additionally, cutting inefficiency and the natural shape of hides means you can't use 100% of the material. A 20-25% waste factor is standard for most projects, while complex patterns may need 30% or more.
Leather prices vary by weight, quality, and type. Generally: 2-3 oz costs $8/sq ft, 3-4 oz costs $10/sq ft, 4-5 oz costs $11/sq ft, 5-6 oz costs $12/sq ft, 7-8 oz costs $14/sq ft, and 8-10 oz costs $15/sq ft. Premium vegetable-tanned leather costs more than chrome-tanned, and exotic leathers are significantly more expensive.
Wallets work best with 3-4 oz (1.2-1.6mm) leather, which is thin enough to fold easily but thick enough to be durable. Belts require 5-6 oz (2.0-2.4mm) or heavier leather for structural support and longevity. Using leather that's too thin will result in a floppy, short-lived product.
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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2026
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