Cross stitch fabric calculator
Work out how big a counted design will finish and how much Aida to cut before you thread a needle. Enter the stitch count and fabric count to get the design size, the cut size with margin, and a floss skein estimate.
Working backwards from fabric you already have
Largest design that fits
84 x 84 stitches
Using the Aida count and margin from the calculator above.
Cross stitch size chart by Aida count
Design size is the stitch count divided by the Aida count. A square design that is 100 stitches wide finishes at 7.1 inches on 14 count Aida, and you would cut fabric 3 inches larger on every side. The table below shows finished widths for common design sizes, in inches and centimeters.
| Design width | 11 count | 14 count | 16 count | 18 count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 stitches | 4.5 in / 11.5 cm | 3.6 in / 9.1 cm | 3.1 in / 7.9 cm | 2.8 in / 7.1 cm |
| 100 stitches | 9.1 in / 23.1 cm | 7.1 in / 18.1 cm | 6.3 in / 15.9 cm | 5.6 in / 14.1 cm |
| 150 stitches | 13.6 in / 34.6 cm | 10.7 in / 27.2 cm | 9.4 in / 23.8 cm | 8.3 in / 21.2 cm |
| 200 stitches | 18.2 in / 46.2 cm | 14.3 in / 36.3 cm | 12.5 in / 31.8 cm | 11.1 in / 28.2 cm |
| 250 stitches | 22.7 in / 57.7 cm | 17.9 in / 45.4 cm | 15.6 in / 39.7 cm | 13.9 in / 35.3 cm |
| 300 stitches | 27.3 in / 69.3 cm | 21.4 in / 54.4 cm | 18.8 in / 47.6 cm | 16.7 in / 42.3 cm |
Stitches per inch and floss coverage
| Aida count | Stitches per inch | Stitches per 10 cm | Stitches per skein (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 count | 11 | 43 | 1,200 |
| 14 count | 14 | 55 | 1,700 |
| 16 count | 16 | 63 | 2,000 |
| 18 count | 18 | 71 | 2,400 |
Coverage figures are conservative estimates for full cross stitches with 2 strands of a standard 8 meter six-strand skein. Fractional stitches, backstitch, and generous thread tails all lower them, so treat the skein numbers as a starting point for your shopping list.
Fabric calculator FAQ
How much extra fabric should I add around a cross stitch design?
A common rule is 3 inches on every side, which is what this calculator uses by default. The margin gives you enough fabric to hold in a hoop or frame and to stretch or lace the finished piece. For very small designs or tight framing you can reduce it, but 2 inches per side is a sensible minimum.
What does Aida count mean?
Aida count is the number of stitches per inch of fabric. On 14 count Aida, 14 stitches fit in one inch, so a 140 stitch wide design comes out 10 inches wide. Higher counts pack more stitches per inch and produce a smaller, finer finished piece from the same chart.
How many skeins of floss will I need?
It depends on how many stitches use each color and on your fabric count, since smaller stitches use less thread. As a conservative estimate with 2 strands and full cross stitches, one DMC skein covers roughly 1,200 stitches on 11 count, 1,700 on 14 count, 2,000 on 16 count, and 2,400 on 18 count. Enter the stitch count for a single color in the calculator to get its skein estimate.
Does the calculator work in centimeters?
Yes. Switch the unit toggle to cm and every size, including the fabric margin, is shown in centimeters. The math is the same: stitches divided by Aida count gives inches, and one inch is 2.54 cm.