Cross stitch thread calculator
Estimate how many skeins of floss — and how many yards — a color needs, from your stitch count, strand count and fabric. Scaled from the standard 8.7-yard DMC skein.
This color
2
skeins to buy
1.47 used — rounded up
12.79
yards of floss
11.7 m
1,700
stitches per skein
at 2 strands, 14 ct
Estimate only — actual use depends on tension, thread starts and how much you unpick. Buy a spare skein of any color you use a lot.
Skeins by fabric and strands
For 2,500 stitches of one color, rounded up to whole skeins.
| Fabric | 1 strand | 2 strands | 3 strands |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 ct Aida | 1(0.94) | 2(1.87) | 3(2.81) |
| 14 ct Aida | 1(0.74) | 2(1.47) | 3(2.21) |
| 16 ct Aida | 1(0.64) | 2(1.29) | 2(1.93) |
| 18 ct Aida | 1(0.57) | 2(1.14) | 2(1.72) |
| 22 ct Hardanger | 1(0.47) | 1(0.94) | 2(1.4) |
| 28 ct evenweave (over 2) | 1(0.37) | 1(0.74) | 2(1.1) |
| 32 ct linen (over 2) | 1(0.32) | 1(0.64) | 1(0.97) |
Bold = whole skeins to buy; (brackets) = exact skeins used. Evenweave and linen are counted stitched over two threads.
How to estimate floss for a project
- 1
Get the stitch count for a color
From the chart key or the generator/editor color legend — the number of stitches in the single thread color you're buying.
- 2
Set your strands and fabric
How many strands you stitch with (usually 2) and your fabric count. Both change how far one skein goes.
- 3
Round up and add a spare
Buy the whole-skein figure, plus one extra of any heavily-used color so a dye-lot change never shows.
Let the tool count your threads
Turn a photo into a chart or build one in the editor — the color legend lists the exact stitch count for every DMC thread, so you can size each skein precisely.
Frequently asked questions
- How many stitches does one skein of DMC floss cover?
- A standard DMC skein is 8.7 yards of six-strand floss. Stitched with 2 strands on 14-count Aida it covers roughly 1,700 full cross stitches. Use fewer strands or a higher-count fabric and one skein stretches further; use more strands and it covers fewer. This calculator scales that reference to your exact settings.
- How do I know the stitch count for one color?
- On a printed chart, colors are listed in the key with a stitch count beside each symbol. In this site's generator and editor, the color legend shows the exact number of stitches for every thread — copy that number in here to size each color.
- Should I buy extra floss?
- Yes — always round up and buy a spare skein of any color you use heavily. Dye lots vary slightly between skeins, so buying your main colors together (and one extra) avoids a visible seam if you run out mid-project and the shop's new stock is a different lot.
- Why does the number of strands change how much floss I need?
- Six-strand floss is separated before stitching. Using 2 strands consumes twice the length of using 1, so a skein covers half as many stitches. Most 14–16 count Aida is stitched with 2 strands; finer counts often use 1.
- Does this work for whole multi-color projects?
- Yes. Enter the total stitch count for a whole-project estimate of floss length and total skeins, but remember you buy floss per color — most colors need just one skein, while a large background block might need several. Size your busiest colors individually.
Not affiliated with DMC. Colors are approximate on-screen; always check a physical shade card before buying floss.