Fabric Calculator
Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator
How much fabric do I need for cross stitch? Enter your pattern's stitch count below and this free Aida cloth calculator will tell you your finished design size on any fabric count — plus exactly how big to cut your fabric, margin included.
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How to Calculate Cross Stitch Fabric Size
The formula behind every cross stitch fabric size calculation is simple: divide your stitch count by your fabric count. A 140-stitch-wide design on 14-count Aida finishes at 10 inches wide (140 ÷ 14 = 10). On 18-count Aida, that same design finishes at about 7.8 inches. Higher fabric count means smaller stitches and a smaller finished piece.
How Much Fabric Do I Need for Cross Stitch?
Your finished design size is only half the answer — you also need extra fabric around the design for framing, finishing, or hooping. The standard recommendation is 3 inches of margin on every side (so add 6 inches to both the width and height of your finished design size). The calculator above adds this margin for you automatically, and you can adjust it if your frame needs more or less.
What Fabric Count Should I Use?
14-count Aida is the most popular choice for beginners — the holes are easy to see and count. 16- and 18-count Aida give a more refined look with smaller stitches and are favorites for detailed designs. Higher counts like 22-count work beautifully for miniature projects. If you stitch on evenweave or linen, you will usually stitch "over two" threads, which means a 28-count linen stitched over two gives you the same finished size as 14-count Aida.
Stitching Over One vs. Over Two
On Aida cloth, you stitch over one block. On evenweave and linen, most stitchers go over two fabric threads per stitch, which effectively halves the fabric count: 32-count linen over two stitches up at the same size as 16-count Aida. Use the "Over 2" option in the calculator above when planning evenweave or linen projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert stitch count to inches?
Divide the stitch count by the fabric count. For example, a design that is 112 stitches wide on 14-count Aida will be 8 inches wide (112 ÷ 14).
How much extra Aida cloth should I leave around my design?
Leave at least 3 inches on all four sides for framing or finishing. For pieces going into a hoop or sewn into something, 2 inches per side is usually enough.
What size is a 100 x 100 stitch design on 14-count Aida?
About 7.1 x 7.1 inches of stitched area. With a 3-inch margin on each side, cut your fabric to about 13.1 x 13.1 inches.
Is 14-count or 18-count Aida better?
Neither is better — they give different looks. 14-count is easier on the eyes and faster to stitch; 18-count gives finer detail in a smaller finished size. Try the calculator above to compare both side by side.
Free cross stitch fabric calculator by PinoyStitch — makers of unique counted cross stitch patterns.