Understanding Leather Hide Cuts

Leather is different from other materials like fabric, rope, or wood, that can be sold with consistent measurements. Due to their natural shape and uneven edges, leather hides are often measured and sold by square footage. In this way, tanneries and sellers can account for the irregular (but still usable) edges that leather has. Some tanneries actually utilize a laser scanner to account for holes and rough edges when measuring a hide's square footage. Let's go over the average square footage of the most common cow leather hide cuts, and what those hides are most often used for in leather craft, so you can order what you need with confidence. 

WHOLE HIDE

• Approximately 42-60 sq. ft. 
• Comes in lighter weights most of the time
• Usually available as chrome-tan or hair-on
• Great for upholstery, clothing, bags and other bigger projects that require seamless cuts

SIDE OR HALF HIDE

• Approximately 21-30 sq. ft. (about the size of a twin bed)
• Wide availability in chrome-tan and veg-tan
• Versatile in what can be crafted due to the piece size and cost effective prices
• Comes in various weights, colors, finishes and qualities
• Ideal for almost any sort of crafting you can imagine!

DOUBLE SHOULDER

•  Approximately 10-18 sq. ft. 
• Available in chrome-tan and veg-tan
• Includes both of the animal shoulders, offering good length particularly for belts or straps

SINGLE SHOULDER

• Approximately 7-12 sq. ft.
• Typically only available in veg-tan
• Somewhat oddly shaped, as it comes from one shoulder and includes the neck
• Sometimes has stretch marks and blemishes
• Tend to be low cost with much less left over for single or small projects

BELLY

• Approximately 4-7 sq. ft. 
• Great for small projects and practicing or testing
• Weight can be inconsistent and the fibers are softer, causing more stretching
• Great value!

SMALL SKINS

• Approximately 3-7 sq. ft. 
• Can be found in veg-tan, however, more often found in chrome-tans
• Great product for jewelry, accent pieces, fashion statements, wallets and other accessories

• Range in size from .5 sq. ft up to larger scrap pieces around 8 sq. ft.
• Can be veg-tan or chrome-tan
• Similar to the small skins, these are great for jewelry, accent pieces, fashion statements, wallets and other accessories