Cross-stitch fabric calculator
Enter your design size in stitches to see the finished size and how much fabric to cut. The table below shows the same design on common counts, so you can compare them before you buy fabric.
Your design
Fabric count is the number of threads per inch. Stitching over two on 28-count fabric gives 14 stitches per inch. The margin is added to each edge.
The same design on other fabrics
This uses your stitch count, margin and units. The highlighted row matches the stitches per inch you entered.
| Fabric | Stitches per inch | Finished design | Fabric to cut |
|---|
How the calculation works
Stitches per inch is the fabric count divided by the number of threads each stitch covers. On 14-count Aida each stitch covers one block, so you get 14 stitches per inch. On 28-count evenweave stitched over two threads you also get 14. The finished size is your stitch count divided by stitches per inch, and the fabric to cut adds your margin to every edge.
Choosing a count
- Lower counts, such as 11 or 14, give bigger stitches and a larger finished piece, and the holes are easier to see.
- Higher counts, such as 16 or 18, give finer detail and a smaller finished piece from the same chart.
- Evenweave and linen are usually stitched over two threads, so 28-count over two matches the size of 14-count Aida.
How much margin to leave
Margin is the bare fabric you leave on each side of the design for hooping, framing or finishing. The calculator starts at 3 inches per edge. Check what your framer or finishing method needs before you cut, because you can't add fabric back.