There is generally 40 squares in a layer cake (layer cake refers to Moda`s 10 inch square packages, other companies refer to them differently). Like charm squares and jelly rolls, the layer cake contains at least one fabric of the entire line of that fabric design. Most patterns that call for layer cakes specifically include instructions on how to cut up the fabric based on the 10 inch square. So a metre of fabric would be 40 x 40....therefore 16 squares. Does that help you. (I`ve lost my question mark for some reason tonight)