About the Cross Stitch Calculator
This cross stitch calculator converts a chart’s stitch count into a finished design size and tells you how big to cut your fabric. Enter the number of stitches wide and high, choose your fabric count (11, 14, 16 or 18-count Aida, or 25–32-count evenweave and linen), and set the margin you want around the design for framing or finishing.
It is useful when buying fabric for a pattern, adapting a chart to a different fabric, or checking whether a design will fit a hoop or a frame. A comparison table shows how big the same design stitches up on every common fabric count, so you can choose a count that gives the size you want.
Evenweave and linen are usually stitched “over two” threads, which halves the effective count — 28-count over two behaves like 14-count Aida. Fabric counts are threads (or Aida squares) per inch, so the calculator works in inches and also shows centimetres.
With the default inputs, the design width is 10 in. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the cross stitch calculator
- 1Find the stitch count on the chart (width × height in stitches).
- 2Choose your fabric count, and switch on “over two” for evenweave or linen.
- 3Set the margin you want around the design — 3 in for framing.
- 4Read the finished design size and the fabric size to cut.
- 5Compare other fabric counts in the table to make the design bigger or smaller.
Formula and method
Fabric count is the number of Aida squares or evenweave threads per inch. Each cross stitch covers one Aida square, or two threads each way on evenweave and linen when stitched over two, so the stitches per inch equal the count (or half the count over two). Dividing the chart’s stitch count by stitches per inch gives the finished size in inches; multiplying by 2.54 converts to centimetres.
The fabric to cut adds a margin on every side for hooping, framing or finishing. About 3 in (7.5 cm) per side is standard for framed pieces, so a design is 6 in wider and taller as fabric. The comparison table shows how the same chart scales on other fabric counts.
- Stitches
- Chart stitch count across (or down)
- Fabric count
- Squares or threads per inch
- Margin
- Extra fabric on each side of the design
Worked examples
140 × 100 stitch chart on 14-count Aida
At 14 stitches per inch, 140 stitches measure 140 ÷ 14 = 10 in and 100 stitches measure 7.14 in. With 3 in margins on each side, cut the fabric 16 × 13.14 in.
Same chart on 28-count linen over two
Stitching over two threads on 28-count linen gives 28 ÷ 2 = 14 stitches per inch, so the design is exactly the same size as on 14-count Aida: 10 × 7.14 in.
250 × 180 sampler on 18-count Aida with 2 in margins
250 ÷ 18 = 13.89 in wide and 180 ÷ 18 = 10 in tall. Adding 2 in on every side means cutting 17.89 × 14 in of fabric, for a chart with 45,000 stitch positions.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate the size of a cross stitch design?+
Divide the number of stitches by the fabric count. A 140-stitch-wide design on 14-count Aida is 140 ÷ 14 = 10 in wide. On evenweave stitched over two, divide by half the count instead (28-count over two = 14).
How much extra fabric should I leave around a cross stitch?+
Leave about 3 in (7.5 cm) on every side for framing, so add 6 in to both the width and height. For hoop displays, ornaments and cards, 2 in per side is usually enough.
What does 14-count Aida mean?+
14-count Aida has 14 squares per inch, so you make 14 cross stitches per inch. Higher counts such as 16 and 18 make smaller, finer designs; 11-count is larger and easier for beginners and children.
What is stitching over two?+
On evenweave and linen, each cross stitch usually covers two threads across and two up. This halves the effective count, so 28-count over two gives 14 stitches per inch, the same size as 14-count Aida.
Can I change fabric count without changing the pattern?+
Yes — the chart stays the same, only the finished size changes. Going from 14-count to 18-count shrinks the design by about 22%; going to 11-count enlarges it by about 27%. Use the comparison table to pick a size.