Calculator
Cross stitch fabric calculator
Enter your pattern's stitch count to see the finished design size and how much fabric to buy — across every common Aida, evenweave and linen count, in inches and centimetres.
Your pattern
| Fabric | Design size | Buy (with margin) |
|---|---|---|
| 11 ct Aida | 12.73 × 12.73″32.33 × 32.33 cm | 18.73 × 18.73″47.57 × 47.57 cm |
| 14 ct Aida | 10.00 × 10.00″25.40 × 25.40 cm | 16.00 × 16.00″40.64 × 40.64 cm |
| 16 ct Aida | 8.75 × 8.75″22.23 × 22.23 cm | 14.75 × 14.75″37.47 × 37.47 cm |
| 18 ct Aida | 7.78 × 7.78″19.76 × 19.76 cm | 13.78 × 13.78″35.00 × 35.00 cm |
| 22 ct Hardanger | 6.36 × 6.36″16.16 × 16.16 cm | 12.36 × 12.36″31.40 × 31.40 cm |
| 28 ct evenweave (over 2) | 10.00 × 10.00″25.40 × 25.40 cm | 16.00 × 16.00″40.64 × 40.64 cm |
| 32 ct linen (over 2) | 8.75 × 8.75″22.23 × 22.23 cm | 14.75 × 14.75″37.47 × 37.47 cm |
Design size = stitches ÷ stitches-per-inch. Linen and evenweave are calculated stitched over two threads. Fabric to buy adds your margin to every side.
How to work out cross stitch fabric size
- 1
Get your stitch count
Count the grid squares across and down on your chart (not the inches). This is the only number that stays fixed no matter what fabric you choose.
- 2
Divide by the fabric count
Stitches ÷ count = finished size in inches. A higher count means more, smaller stitches per inch — so the same chart comes out smaller.
- 3
Add a margin
Leave 2–3 inches of blank fabric on every side for framing and to stop the edges fraying.
Don't have a pattern yet?
Turn a photo into a chart and the generator tells you the exact stitch count — bring that number back here to size your fabric.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate cross stitch fabric size?
- Divide your stitch count by the fabric count to get the finished design size in inches. For example, 140 stitches wide on 14-count Aida is 140 ÷ 14 = 10 inches. Then add a margin — usually 3 inches on every side — so the fabric you buy is design size + 6 inches in each direction.
- How much extra fabric should I leave around a pattern?
- Leave at least 2–3 inches of blank fabric on every side (4–6 inches total per dimension). The margin gives you room to mount the finished piece in a hoop or frame and to bind the edges so they don't fray while you stitch.
- Does the same pattern change size on different fabric counts?
- Yes. The stitch count stays the same, but a higher fabric count packs more stitches per inch, so the finished piece gets smaller. The same 140×140 chart is 10 inches on 14-count Aida but only about 7.8 inches on 18-count.
- How does linen or evenweave count work?
- Linen and evenweave are usually stitched 'over two' threads, so a 28-count evenweave gives 14 stitches per inch — the same size as 14-count Aida. This calculator accounts for that automatically.