Size & fabric
Cross Stitch Size Calculator
Enter your design’s stitch count and fabric to see the finished size, how much fabric to cut, and roughly how much thread you’ll need. Works in inches and centimetres.
| Fabric | Stitched area | Fabric with margins |
|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 9.1 in × 7.3 in | 15.1 in × 13.3 in |
| 14-count Aida | 7.1 in × 5.7 in | 13.1 in × 11.7 in |
| 16-count Aida | 6.3 in × 5.0 in | 12.3 in × 11.0 in |
| 18-count Aida | 5.6 in × 4.4 in | 11.6 in × 10.4 in |
| 22-count Hardanger | 4.5 in × 3.6 in | 10.5 in × 9.6 in |
| 25-count evenweave over 2 | 8.0 in × 6.4 in | 14.0 in × 12.4 in |
| 28-count evenweave over 2 | 7.1 in × 5.7 in | 13.1 in × 11.7 in |
| 32-count linen over 2 | 6.3 in × 5.0 in | 12.3 in × 11.0 in |
| 36-count linen over 2 | 5.6 in × 4.4 in | 11.6 in × 10.4 in |
| 40-count linen over 2 | 5.0 in × 4.0 in | 11.0 in × 10.0 in |
The formula
Finished size = stitches ÷ stitches per inch. On Aida, stitches per inch is simply the fabric count. On evenweave and linen you normally stitch over two threads, so stitches per inch is the thread count divided by two. To convert inches to centimetres, multiply by 2.54.
Fabric to cut = finished size + 2 × margin. The margin is the bare fabric you leave on each side for hooping, framing or finishing. It never changes the number of stitches.
Worked example
A chart is 126 × 98 stitches and you want to stitch it on 16-count Aida with 3-inch margins. Width: 126 ÷ 16 = 7.9 in. Height: 98 ÷ 16 = 6.1 in. Fabric: 7.9 + 6 = 13.9 in by 6.1 + 6 = 12.1 in, so cut a 14 × 12 in piece (36 × 31 cm). On 14-count the same chart would be 9.0 × 7.0 in, and on 18-count 7.0 × 5.4 in.
Common fabrics at a glance
| Fabric | Stitches per inch | 100 × 100 stitches |
|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 11 | 9.1 × 9.1 in (23.1 cm) |
| 14-count Aida | 14 | 7.1 × 7.1 in (18.1 cm) |
| 16-count Aida | 16 | 6.3 × 6.3 in (15.9 cm) |
| 18-count Aida | 18 | 5.6 × 5.6 in (14.1 cm) |
| 25-count evenweave over 2 | 12.5 | 8.0 × 8.0 in (20.3 cm) |
| 28-count evenweave over 2 | 14 | 7.1 × 7.1 in (18.1 cm) |
| 32-count linen over 2 | 16 | 6.3 × 6.3 in (15.9 cm) |
| 36-count linen over 2 | 18 | 5.6 × 5.6 in (14.1 cm) |
Choosing a count for your project
- 11-count: big, easy-to-see holes. Good for children, beginners and anyone who finds smaller counts tiring. Use three strands so the stitches cover the fabric.
- 14-count: the standard. Most charts are designed with it in mind, and two strands give good coverage.
- 16 and 18-count: finer detail in less space. Ideal for photo patterns and small gifts; use two strands (or one on 18-count for a lighter look).
- Evenweave and linen: a smoother, traditional look. 28-count over two is the same size as 14-count Aida but lets you add fractional stitches easily.
If you already have a frame or a hoop, work backwards: decide how wide the stitched area should be, multiply by the stitches per inch, and use that as the width in the photo converter or the text generator. The calculator’s “Working backwards” box does this for you.
How the thread estimate works
A full cross stitch puts two diagonals on the front and two short straight passes on the back, so each stitch uses roughly 4.8 times the width of one square per strand. We add 25% for starting, ending and moving between stitches, multiply by the number of strands, and divide by a standard 8-metre six-strand skein. The result is rounded up. For a per-colour list with DMC codes, open your chart in the Studio and use the Threads tab, which also downloads the list as a CSV file. Read more on how it works.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the finished size of a cross stitch pattern?
Divide the number of stitches by the number of stitches per inch of your fabric. On Aida that is the fabric count; on evenweave or linen stitched over two threads it is half the count. A 100-stitch-wide design on 14-count Aida is 100 ÷ 14 = 7.1 inches wide.
How much fabric should I buy?
Add a margin on every side to the stitched size. Three inches (about 7.5 cm) per side is a common choice for framing; use 2 inches for small hoop finishes and 4 inches or more for large pieces that will be laced or stretched.
Is 28-count evenweave the same size as 14-count Aida?
Yes, when you stitch over two threads. 28 threads per inch ÷ 2 = 14 stitches per inch, so the design comes out the same size as on 14-count Aida.
How many stitches do I need for an 8 by 10 inch picture?
Multiply inches by stitches per inch. On 14-count that is 8 × 14 = 112 stitches by 10 × 14 = 140 stitches. On 18-count it is 144 × 180.
How accurate is the skein estimate?
It is a planning figure. It assumes full crosses, 25% extra thread for starting and ending, and 8 m six-strand skeins. Tension and how far you travel between stitches change real use, so round up and buy an extra skein of large background colours.