Cross-stitch fabric size calculator
Enter a chart's stitch count and fabric count to get the finished size in inches and cm and the fabric to cut with a 3" margin, for 11 to 22-count Aida and evenweave over two.
https://needlenook.app/learn/cross-stitch-fabric-size-calculator
Finished size in inches = stitches ÷ stitches per inch, and the fabric to cut adds a 3" margin on every side. A chart 140 stitches wide and 100 high is 10.00" × 7.14" (25.4 × 18.1 cm) on 14-count Aida, so you cut at least 16.00" × 13.14" (40.6 × 33.4 cm).
Type your chart's stitch counts below, pick the fabric, and the calculator gives both sizes in inches and centimeters. It runs in your browser and needs no account.
| Fabric | Per inch | Finished | Cut (3" margin) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 11 | 12.73" × 9.09" 32.3 × 23.1 cm | 18.73" × 15.09" 47.6 × 38.3 cm |
| 14-count Aida | 14 | 10.00" × 7.14" 25.4 × 18.1 cm | 16.00" × 13.14" 40.6 × 33.4 cm |
| 16-count Aida | 16 | 8.75" × 6.25" 22.2 × 15.9 cm | 14.75" × 12.25" 37.5 × 31.1 cm |
| 18-count Aida | 18 | 7.78" × 5.56" 19.8 × 14.1 cm | 13.78" × 11.56" 35.0 × 29.4 cm |
| 22-count Aida (Hardanger) | 22 | 6.36" × 4.55" 16.2 × 11.5 cm | 12.36" × 10.55" 31.4 × 26.8 cm |
| 25-count evenweave, over two | 12.5 | 11.20" × 8.00" 28.4 × 20.3 cm | 17.20" × 14.00" 43.7 × 35.6 cm |
| 28-count linen or evenweave, over two | 14 | 10.00" × 7.14" 25.4 × 18.1 cm | 16.00" × 13.14" 40.6 × 33.4 cm |
| 32-count linen, over two | 16 | 8.75" × 6.25" 22.2 × 15.9 cm | 14.75" × 12.25" 37.5 × 31.1 cm |
How the sizing works
Aida count is the number of stitches per inch: one cross fills one block, so a 14-count fabric holds 14 crosses in an inch (DMC). Divide the chart's width in stitches by that number for the finished width, and do the same for the height. Multiply inches by 2.54 for centimeters.
Evenweave and linen are counted by threads, and cross-stitch on them is usually worked over two threads, which DMC describes as one cross over two warp and two weft threads. That halves the stitches per inch: 28-count over two is 14 per inch, the same finished size as 14-count Aida, and 32-count over two is 16 per inch. The Colonial Needle Company lists 25-count evenweave worked over one or over two and 28 or 32-count linen over two, which is why those counts are in the fabric list.
The cut size adds a margin on every side, 3" by default, so 6" is added to each dimension. Stitcher's hoop guide suggests about 2 to 3" of spare fabric per side for grip and finishing; the 2" and 4" buttons cover a small hoop and a framer who asks for more.
100 stitches on every common fabric
The table shows how far 100 stitches reach on each fabric, so you can see what changes when you swap counts. A higher count makes the same chart smaller and the stitches finer; the number of stitches never changes.
| Fabric | Stitches per inch | 100 stitches measure | Cut for 100 × 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 11 | 9.09" (23.1 cm) | 15.09" × 15.09" (38.3 × 38.3 cm) |
| 14-count Aida | 14 | 7.14" (18.1 cm) | 13.14" × 13.14" (33.4 × 33.4 cm) |
| 16-count Aida | 16 | 6.25" (15.9 cm) | 12.25" × 12.25" (31.1 × 31.1 cm) |
| 18-count Aida | 18 | 5.56" (14.1 cm) | 11.56" × 11.56" (29.4 × 29.4 cm) |
| 22-count Aida (Hardanger) | 22 | 4.55" (11.5 cm) | 10.55" × 10.55" (26.8 × 26.8 cm) |
| 25-count evenweave, over two | 12.5 | 8.00" (20.3 cm) | 14.00" × 14.00" (35.6 × 35.6 cm) |
| 28-count linen or evenweave, over two | 14 | 7.14" (18.1 cm) | 13.14" × 13.14" (33.4 × 33.4 cm) |
| 32-count linen, over two | 16 | 6.25" (15.9 cm) | 12.25" × 12.25" (31.1 × 31.1 cm) |
Worked example: a 140 × 100 chart
On 14-count Aida: 140 ÷ 14 = 10.00" wide and 100 ÷ 14 = 7.14" high, or 25.4 × 18.1 cm. Add 3" on every side and the fabric to cut is 16.00" × 13.14" (40.6 × 33.4 cm); cut it at 16" × 13 1/4" so the ruler lands on a mark.
Move the same chart to 18-count and it shrinks to 7.78" × 5.56" (19.8 × 14.1 cm), with a cut of 13.78" × 11.56" (35.0 × 29.4 cm). On 28-count linen over two it matches the 14-count numbers exactly. Before the next session, check the chart's stitch count against the fabric you own, and cut with the margin, not to the finished size.
Common questions
- How big will a 100-stitch design be on 14-count Aida?
- 100 ÷ 14 = 7.14" (18.1 cm). On 18-count the same 100 stitches measure 5.56" (14.1 cm), and on 11-count 9.09" (23.1 cm). The count is the only thing that changes the size of a chart.
- What count is 28-count linen worked over two?
- Over two threads, 28-count linen gives 28 ÷ 2 = 14 stitches per inch, the same finished size as 14-count Aida. 32-count over two gives 16 per inch and 25-count over two 12.5 per inch. The calculator does the halving for you.
- How much extra fabric should I leave around a cross-stitch?
- Plan on 3" (7.6 cm) on every side, which adds 6" to the width and 6" to the height. That gives a hoop or frame something to hold and leaves room for lacing or stretching at the end. Some framers ask for more, so check before you cut.
About this page
Written and reviewed by Tessa, Editor, Needle Nook. Last reviewed . The calculator uses the same sizing code as the cross-stitch pattern maker; check your own chart and fabric before cutting.
Facts on this page follow these references:
- What Fabric Should You Use for Cross Stitch? ↗DMC
- How Many Strands of Embroidery Floss Should I Use? ↗Colonial Needle Company
- How to choose an embroidery hoop: sizes, shapes, wood ↗Stitcher Limited