Border
The border is the visible breathing room between your stitches and the frame, hoop, or finished edge. Two inches per side is a practical starting point for many framed pieces.
Cross stitch calculator
Enter your pattern size, Aida or evenweave fabric count, and margins to instantly calculate the exact stitched area, fabric cut size, and estimated floss skeins for any counted cross stitch project, in inches and centimetres.
The recommended cut is always rounded up, so you do not accidentally cut your fabric too small.
One tool covers what stitchers usually search for separately: a cross stitch fabric calculator for the cut size, a stitch count calculator for any Aida or evenweave count, and a size calculator that converts a chart's stitch count into finished dimensions.
Calculate your cross stitch fabric size
Transparent calculation
How the counted cross stitch calculator works
Nothing is estimated in the size calculation. Every result follows the same fabric-count formulas, whether you stitch on Aida, linen, or evenweave.
1
Find the effective fabric count
effective count = fabric count ÷ threads per stitch
On 28-count linen worked over two threads, the effective count is 14 stitches per inch.
2
Calculate the exact stitched area
stitched size = stitch count ÷ effective count
A 140 × 100 stitch design on 14 effective count is exactly 10.00 × 7.14 inches.
3
Add fabric on all four sides
fabric size = stitched size + 2 × (border + finishing)
A 2-inch border and 1-inch finishing allowance add 6 inches to both dimensions.
4
Convert and round the recommended cut up
centimetres = inches × 2.54
Exact results keep two decimals. The cut size rounds up to 0.5 inch or 1 centimetre, never down.
Aida fabric calculator
Common Aida and evenweave fabric counts
Fabric count is the number of fabric threads or Aida squares per inch. Higher counts create smaller stitches and a smaller finished design. The calculator above works as an Aida cloth calculator for any count from 6 to 40, and handles linen and evenweave stitched over two threads.
| Fabric count | 140 stitches over 1 | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 6 count | 23.33 in / 59.27 cm | Large, easy-to-see stitches |
| 8 count | 17.50 in / 44.45 cm | Children and quick projects |
| 10 count | 14.00 in / 35.56 cm | Large-count Aida |
| 11 count | 12.73 in / 32.33 cm | Beginner-friendly Aida |
| 12 count | 11.67 in / 29.63 cm | Large, defined stitches |
| 14 count | 10.00 in / 25.40 cm | Most common Aida count |
| 16 count | 8.75 in / 22.23 cm | Balanced detail and coverage |
| 18 count | 7.78 in / 19.76 cm | Finer details and portraits |
| 20 count | 7.00 in / 17.78 cm | Fine Aida or evenweave |
| 22 count | 6.36 in / 16.16 cm | Detailed compact designs |
| 25 count | 5.60 in / 14.22 cm | Evenweave, often over 2 |
| 28 count | 5.00 in / 12.70 cm | Linen or evenweave, often over 2 |
| 32 count | 4.38 in / 11.11 cm | Fine linen, often over 2 |
| 36 count | 3.89 in / 9.88 cm | Experienced stitchers |
| 40 count | 3.50 in / 8.89 cm | Very fine linen |
When stitching over two threads, halve the listed fabric count. For example, 28 count over 2 gives the same finished size as 14 count over 1.
Floss skein calculator
How many skeins of floss do you need?
The floss estimate assumes a standard 8-metre six-strand skein, such as DMC Stranded Cotton. It combines your stitch count, stitched coverage, and the strand guideline for your fabric count, and includes thread lost to starting and finishing.
1
Count the stitches you will actually sew
total stitches = width × height × coverage
A 140 × 100 grid at full coverage is 14,000 full cross stitches. Patterns with open backgrounds often sit near 50 to 75 percent.
2
Work out the stitches one skein covers
stitches per skein ≈ working length ÷ thread per stitch
With 2 strands on 14-count Aida, one skein covers roughly 1,700 full stitches, including start and finish waste.
3
Round up, per color
skeins = total stitches ÷ stitches per skein, rounded up
The calculator shows one overall total. Because every color rounds up to a whole skein separately, designs with many colors need more skeins than the total alone suggests.
| Fabric setup | Strand guideline | Approx. full stitches per skein |
|---|---|---|
| 11 count Aida | 3 strands | ≈890 |
| 14 count Aida | 2 strands | ≈1,700 |
| 16 count Aida | 2 strands | ≈1,940 |
| 18 count Aida | 2 strands | ≈2,180 |
| 28 count evenweave, over 2 | 2 strands | ≈1,700 |
Floss use varies with tension, thread type, and how often you start and stop, so treat the skein figures as planning estimates and buy one spare skein of your main colors.
Plan with confidence
Border, finishing, needle, and floss
Finishing allowance
This is working fabric for lacing, mounting, hemming, or sewing. Keep it separate from the visible border so your finishing method never consumes the spacing you planned.
Needle and strands
The recommendations are guidelines based on fabric density. Thread type, desired coverage, and your pattern designer's instructions always take priority.
Questions, answered
Cross stitch calculator FAQ
How do I calculate the finished size of a cross stitch pattern?
Divide the number of stitches by the effective fabric count. For example, 140 stitches on 14-count Aida is 10 inches wide. Multiply inches by 2.54 for centimetres.
What does stitching over two threads mean?
On evenweave or linen, a cross stitch often spans two fabric threads. Divide the fabric count by two before calculating size, so 28-count fabric stitched over two has an effective count of 14 stitches per inch.
What is the difference between border and finishing allowance?
Border is the visible space between the stitched design and its frame or finished edge. Finishing allowance is extra fabric used for mounting, framing, hemming, or sewing. Both amounts are added on every side.
Why is the recommended fabric cut larger than the exact fabric size?
Fabric is easier to measure and cut in practical increments. The calculator rounds each exact dimension up to the next half inch or whole centimetre, so the recommendation never leaves you short.
How many floss strands and what needle size should I use?
The calculator gives a starting guideline based on fabric count and stitch density. Two strands with a size 24 tapestry needle is common on 14-count Aida, but coverage preference, thread type, and pattern instructions should take priority.
How many skeins of floss do I need for a cross stitch project?
The calculator estimates skeins from your stitch count, fabric count, stitched coverage, and strand guideline, assuming a standard 8-metre six-strand skein. Each color rounds up to a whole skein separately, so patterns with many colors usually need more skeins than the single total suggests.
How many cross stitches can you get from one skein of floss?
Roughly 1,700 full cross stitches with 2 strands on 14-count Aida, including thread used for starting and finishing. Finer fabric stretches a skein further and more strands use it faster; the calculator shows the estimate for your exact setup.
Does the calculator work in centimetres as well as inches?
Yes. Switch the unit toggle to centimetres and every input, result, and recommended fabric cut converts instantly. The metric cut size rounds up to the next whole centimetre.
Is this an Aida fabric calculator too?
Yes. Pick any Aida count from 6 to 22, or a custom evenweave count, and the calculator returns the stitched area and the fabric cut you need for that count. Comparing two counts side by side is the quickest way to see how much smaller your piece gets on finer fabric.
Turn your dimensions into a pattern
StitchCraft creates cross stitch patterns from your photos with real DMC colors, progress tracking, and print-ready PDF charts. It is free to start on iPhone and iPad.
Download StitchCraft