Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator
Turn a chart's stitch count into a real fabric size before you buy or cut. Enter the design width and height in stitches, the fabric count, how many threads each stitch is worked over, and a margin per side. The tool returns the stitched area and the total fabric to cut, in inches or centimeters. Use it when a pattern only lists stitches and you need to know what fits your hoop, frame or piece of Aida.
How to size cross-stitch fabric
- Enter the design width and height in stitches into the two Design fields.
- Type the fabric count, the number of holes per inch, into Fabric count.
- Set Stitch over to 1 for Aida, or 2 if you work over two threads on evenweave or linen.
- Enter a Margin per side, and use the in or cm toggle at the top to match your ruler.
- Read the Stitched area and Fabric to cut boxes, then press Copy size.
Examples
140 by 140 chart on 14-count Aida, 3 inch margin
Design 140 x 140 stitches, fabric count 14, stitch over 1, margin 3 in
Stitched area: 10 x 10 in, fabric to cut: 16 x 16 in
Wider 200 by 160 chart on 16-count Aida
Design 200 x 160 stitches, fabric count 16, stitch over 1, margin 3 in
Stitched area: 12.5 x 10 in, fabric to cut: 18.5 x 16 in
112 by 112 chart on 28-count linen worked over two
Design 112 x 112 stitches, fabric count 28, stitch over 2, margin 3 in
Stitched area: 8 x 8 in, fabric to cut: 14 x 14 in
Frequently asked questions
How does the calculator work out fabric size?
It divides the design stitches by the effective count, which is the fabric count divided by the threads each stitch covers. That gives the stitched area in inches, then it adds your margin to every side. A 140 stitch design on 14-count worked over one comes to 10 inches, and a 3 inch margin per side makes 16 inches of fabric.
What does fabric count mean?
Count is the number of threads or holes per inch of fabric. A higher count packs stitches closer, so the same chart is smaller on 18-count than on 14-count. Aida is sold by count, and the number printed on the bolt is what you type into Fabric count.
What is stitching over two, and when do I set it to 2?
On evenweave and linen many stitchers cross each stitch over two fabric threads instead of one. Set Stitch over to 2 for that. It halves the effective count, so 28-count over two behaves exactly like 14-count Aida over one. For standard Aida leave it at 1.
Can I work in centimeters?
Yes. The in and cm toggle at the top switches both the margin field and the results. When you switch, the margin you already typed is converted for you, and the stitched and fabric sizes are shown in the unit you picked.
How big a margin should I leave per side?
Three inches per side is a common default and works for most hoops and frames. Add more if you plan to lace the piece over a mounting board, use a large frame, or want extra fabric to grip in a scroll frame.
Does it round up to a fabric size I can buy?
No. It returns the exact cut size including margins, rounded to a sensible number of decimals. Round up yourself to the next size your shop stocks, since precut pieces, fat quarters and rolls come in fixed dimensions.
Why do I get an error message instead of a size?
The design stitches, fabric count and stitch over must all be greater than zero, and the margin cannot be negative. If any field is blank or zero the tool shows the reason in red instead of a size, so fill in a positive number to continue.
Does the margin get added once or to both sides?
The margin is added to every side, so the fabric width grows by twice the margin and so does the height. A 10 inch stitched area with a 3 inch margin becomes 16 inches, not 13, because there are 3 inches on the left and 3 on the right.
Is my data private?
Yes. The calculation runs entirely in your browser with JavaScript, so the numbers you enter never leave your device and nothing is uploaded to a server.
Learn more
- Cross Stitch Fabric Count and Size Guide
How Aida and evenweave count works, why stitching over two changes size, and how to leave enough margin for framing your finished piece.
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