Free tool
4-point system calculator: points per 100 sq yd
Enter the total penalty points, the roll length and the width. The calculator returns points per 100 square yards (the figure nearly every export buyer specifies) and, in the second block, points per 100 square metres for metric buyers. No sign-up.
Imperial · per 100 square yards
points × 3600 ÷ (yards × width)
Roll area: 193.3 sq yd · Points to spare before the limit: 30.7
Metric · per 100 square metres
points × 10,000 ÷ (metres × cm)
Roll area: 161.7 sq m · Points to spare before the limit: 11.9
Worked example: 18 points on a 120 yd × 58 in roll = 18 × 3600 ÷ 6960 = 9.3 points per 100 sq yd. The same roll is 109.7 m × 147.3 cm, giving 18 × 10,000 ÷ 16,160 = 11.1 points per 100 sq m. A quick cross-check: multiply points per 100 sq yd by 1.196 to get points per 100 sq m.
How the formula works
The 4-point system (ASTM D5430, "Standard Test Methods for Visually Inspecting and Grading Fabrics") gives every visible defect 1 to 4 penalty points by its length, then normalises the total to a fixed area so that a 60-yard roll and a 150-yard roll can be judged against the same limit.
The constant 3600 is 36 inches per yard × 100 yards. Multiplying points by 3600 and dividing by (length in yards × width in inches) is the same as dividing points by the roll's area in square yards and multiplying by 100. For metric buyers the constant becomes 10,000 (100 cm per metre × 100 square metres).
Two rules matter as much as the formula. No single linear yard may carry more than 4 points, however many defects fall in it. And running defects such as needle lines, barre and creases earn 4 points for every yard they continue; most buyers reject the roll outright if a running defect exceeds a few yards. Fabric Inspection Software applies both rules automatically as defects are logged.
| Defect length (warp or weft) | Points |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 in (7.5 cm) | 1 |
| Over 3 in to 6 in (7.5–15 cm) | 2 |
| Over 6 in to 9 in (15–23 cm) | 3 |
| Over 9 in (23 cm) | 4 |
| Hole or opening, 1 in or less | 2 (many buyers: 4) |
| Hole or opening, over 1 in | 4 |
| Maximum per defect | 4 |
| Maximum per linear yard | 4 |
| Running defect (needle line, barre, crease) | 4 per yard it continues |
Typical buyer acceptance limits
Always use the limit in the buyer's own manual. These are the figures that come up most often in Indian export work, in points per 100 sq yd unless stated.
| Context | Roll limit | Lot / shipment average |
|---|---|---|
| Generic industry default | 40 | 20–30 |
| Cotton twill and denim | 28 (23 per 100 sq m) | — |
| Synthetics and blends | 20 (16 per 100 sq m) | — |
| Strict US and EU knitwear buyers | 20–28 | 15–20 |
| Made-ups and greige (per 100 sq m) | 15 / 10 | — |
| Linear-yard buyers (64–66 in wide) | 50 per 100 linear yd | — |
Many mills grade First quality (at or below the limit) and Second quality (above it) rather than Pass and Fail. Sampling: inspect at least 10 % of rolls per colour, width and construction in a lot, and 100 % when the previous lot failed.
Do this automatically on the floor
Fabric Inspection Software runs this calculation after every tap or voice entry, caps points per yard, applies each buyer's hole rule and limit, and prints the result with a roll map on the buyer PDF. Offline, on a ₹10k Android tablet.
Related: 4-point system explained · what a buyer report contains · inspecting knitted fabric step by step · pricing
4-point system questions
What is the 4-point system formula?
Points per 100 square yards = total penalty points × 3600 ÷ (roll length in yards × width in inches). The 3600 comes from 36 inches per yard × 100 yards. For metric: points per 100 sq m = total points × 10,000 ÷ (length in metres × width in cm).
How many points does a hole get?
Under most buyer manuals a hole or opening of 1 inch or less scores 2 points and anything larger scores 4 points, regardless of length. Many buyers simply score every hole as 4 points. Check the buyer manual; Fabric Inspection Software stores the rule per buyer.
What is the maximum points per yard?
Four. No matter how many defects fall within one linear yard, that yard can earn at most 4 points. Running defects such as needle lines or barre earn 4 points for every yard they continue, and many buyers reject the roll if a running defect exceeds a few yards.
What is a normal acceptance limit?
The generic industry default is 40 points per 100 sq yd per roll with a lot average of 20 to 30. Strict US and EU knitwear buyers use 20 to 28. Cotton twill and denim are often held to 28; synthetics to 20. Always use the limit in the buyer's own manual.
Is 4-point the same as the 10-point system?
No. The 10-point system (older, mostly woven) scores warp and weft defects separately with up to 10 points each and compares total points with total yards. The 4-point system is simpler, normalises to area and is what nearly all export buyers now specify.
Inspect the first roll the same day
We load your defect master, buyer limits and report layout, then train your inspectors on the floor in Tirupur, Surat or Ludhiana, or over a video call. 14-day pilot, no card. Plans start at ₹4,999 a month with unlimited rolls, and every result follows the ASTM D5430 4-point rules and your buyer's own limit.