Cross Stitch Calculator
Before you buy fabric and thread, check how big the finished piece will be and how much you need. Enter the pattern’s width and height in stitches and choose your fabric, and this calculator gives the design size, the piece of fabric to cut, skeins per colour and roughly how long it will take.
Cross stitch calculator
Floss per colour
Cross Stitch Planning Pack
Excel project calculator for size, fabric and floss, a printable fabric count reference, a floss inventory and shopping list, a project progress tracker and blank cross stitch design grids.
- Project calculator (XLSX)
- Fabric reference (PDF/DOCX)
- Floss inventory (PDF/DOCX/XLSX)
- Project tracker (PDF/DOCX)
- Design grids (PDF)
Formats: XLSX, PDF, DOCX. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out by Kedop.
$3.00 USD, one-time
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Fabric count and finished size
| Fabric | Stitches per inch | 100 stitches measure |
|---|---|---|
| Aida 11-count | 11.0 | 9.09 in (23.1 cm) |
| Aida 14-count | 14.0 | 7.14 in (18.1 cm) |
| Aida 16-count | 16.0 | 6.25 in (15.9 cm) |
| Aida 18-count | 18.0 | 5.56 in (14.1 cm) |
| Aida 20-count | 20.0 | 5.00 in (12.7 cm) |
| Hardanger 22-count | 22.0 | 4.55 in (11.5 cm) |
| Evenweave/linen 25-count over 2 | 12.5 | 8.00 in (20.3 cm) |
| Evenweave/linen 28-count over 2 | 14.0 | 7.14 in (18.1 cm) |
| Evenweave/linen 32-count over 2 | 16.0 | 6.25 in (15.9 cm) |
| Linen 36-count over 2 | 18.0 | 5.56 in (14.1 cm) |
Finished size = stitches ÷ stitches per inch. On evenweave and linen, each cross is usually worked over two threads, so 28-count evenweave gives the same size as 14-count Aida.
Worked example
A pattern 140 stitches wide and 100 high on 14-count Aida finishes at 10.00 × 7.14 inches. With 3 inches of margin on every side for framing, cut the fabric to 16.0 × 13.1 inches. The same pattern on 18-count Aida shrinks to 7.78 × 5.56 inches. With two strands on 14-count and a 25% waste allowance, one skein covers roughly 2,054 full stitches, so a colour with 3,650 stitches needs 2 skeins.
How the floss estimate works
Each full cross stitch uses two diagonals on the front and two short passes on the back. The thread for one stitch is roughly (2 × √2 + 2) ÷ stitches per inch, per strand — about 0.35 inches on 14-count. A standard skein holds 8 m of six strands, or about 1,890 inches of single strand. Dividing, and allowing for tails, starting and travelling between areas, gives the stitches per skein. Scattered confetti stitches waste more thread than solid blocks, so raise the waste allowance for busy patterns.
How many strands to use
| Fabric | Cross stitch | Backstitch |
|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 3 | 2 |
| 14-count Aida / 28 over 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 16-count Aida / 32 over 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 18-count Aida / 36 over 2 | 1–2 | 1 |
| Linen over 1 | 1 | 1 |
More strands give fuller coverage; fewer give a lighter, more delicate look. Stitch a small test on a scrap first.
Resizing a pattern
To fit a design into a frame, choose the fabric count that brings it closest: stitches ÷ target width in inches = stitches per inch needed. A 200-stitch design for an 11-inch-wide frame opening needs about 18 stitches per inch, so 18-count Aida or 36-count linen over two. Stitching over one thread on linen halves the size again for tiny, detailed pieces.
Planning partial stitches and backstitch
Many patterns include three-quarter and half stitches, backstitch outlines and French knots that the stitch count by colour may not include. A half stitch uses roughly half the thread of a full cross; a three-quarter stitch about three-quarters. Backstitch uses much less thread per unit but outlines can run long — count the length of outlining in inches and allow about a metre of single strand for every 30 inches of backstitch on 14-count. When in doubt, buy one extra skein for outline colours, especially black and dark brown.
Changing fabric colour or count
Changing to a finer count makes the design smaller and uses less thread per stitch but more time per square inch, and it usually calls for fewer strands. Changing to a coloured or hand-dyed fabric can change how background colours read, so test light shades like white and cream first. If a pattern is designed for 14-count and you move to 16, recalculate both the finished size and the frame or mount you plan to use.
Fabric tips
- Add at least 2–3 inches of margin on every side for framing; 4 inches for scroll frames.
- Overcast or tape the edges to stop fraying.
- Wash hands before stitching and store work rolled, not folded.
- Mark the centre with a basting stitch and start stitching from there.
- Check colours against the pattern in daylight.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I work out the finished size?
Divide the stitch count by the fabric’s stitches per inch.
How much fabric do I need?
Finished size plus a margin (often 3 in) on every side.
How many stitches does a skein cover?
On 14-count with 2 strands, roughly 2,000 full stitches, depending on waste.
Is 28-count evenweave the same as 14-count Aida?
Yes, when stitched over two threads.
How many strands should I use on 14-count?
Two strands for cross stitch and one for backstitch is standard.
Do half stitches use less floss?
Yes, roughly half the thread of a full cross stitch.
Can I use this for evenweave over one?
Stitching over one doubles the stitches per inch, so the finished size is half the over-two size shown for that fabric.
Why is my skein count higher than the pattern key?
Pattern keys often assume less waste; raise or lower the waste allowance to match how you stitch.
Should I buy extra floss?
Buy one spare skein of the colours you use most so the dye lot matches if you run short.
What margin do I need for a hoop?
At least 2–3 inches beyond the design on every side, more for large scroll frames.
How long will my project take?
Divide the total stitches by your stitching speed — many stitchers manage 100–200 stitches per hour.