Finished design size
10.00 × 7.14 in
25.40 × 18.14 cm
FREE TOOL · AIDA · LINEN · EVENWEAVE
Free Cross Stitch
Fabric Calculator
Find out how much fabric you need for your cross stitch pattern. Enter your stitch count, choose Aida, linen or evenweave, and calculate the finished design size and fabric to cut, including margins.
No sign-up. Get your finished design size and fabric size, including margins.
Design size
and fabric to cut.
Cross stitch size calculator
FINISHED SIZE · FABRIC TO CUT · PREVIEWFabric size calculatorLIVE RESULTS · IN / CM · CUT PREVIEW
Minimum fabric size
16.00 × 13.14 in
40.64 × 33.38 cm, including margin
Suggested cut size
16.0 × 13.5 in
Rounded up to the nearest ½ inch · 40.6 × 34.3 cm
Cut fabric preview
The outer rectangle shows the fabric to cut; the inner rectangle shows your design, centered with extra fabric around it.
COMPARE COUNTS
Cross stitch size chart
Finished design sizes for your current stitch count on common Aida, evenweave, and linen. Margins are not included here—add them in the calculator above.
| Fabric | Stitches per inch | Finished size (in) | Apply fabric |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 ct Aida | 11 | 12.73 × 9.09 | |
| 14 ct Aida | 14 | 10.00 × 7.14 | |
| 16 ct Aida | 16 | 8.75 × 6.25 | |
| 18 ct Aida | 18 | 7.78 × 5.56 | |
| 28 ct Evenweave, Over 2 | 14 | 10.00 × 7.14 | |
| 32 ct Linen, Over 2 | 16 | 8.75 × 6.25 | |
| 36 ct Linen, Over 2 | 18 | 7.78 × 5.56 |
Reference chart: 140 × 100 stitches (11, 14, 16 & 18 count Aida)
Example sizes for a 140 × 100 stitch pattern, excluding margins. The table above updates for your own pattern size. 28 ct evenweave over two matches 14 ct Aida over one. Use the calculator to include extra fabric on each side for framing or finishing.
| Fabric | Stitches per inch | Finished size (in) | Finished size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 ct Aida | 11 | 12.73 × 9.09 | 32.33 × 23.09 |
| 14 ct Aida | 14 | 10.00 × 7.14 | 25.40 × 18.14 |
| 16 ct Aida | 16 | 8.75 × 6.25 | 22.23 × 15.88 |
| 18 ct Aida | 18 | 7.78 × 5.56 | 19.76 × 14.11 |
| 28 ct Evenweave, Over 2 | 14 | 10.00 × 7.14 | 25.40 × 18.14 |
| 32 ct Linen, Over 2 | 16 | 8.75 × 6.25 | 22.23 × 15.88 |
| 36 ct Linen, Over 2 | 18 | 7.78 × 5.56 | 19.76 × 14.11 |
FROM CHART TO FABRIC
How to calculate cross stitch
fabric size
Four short steps. Results update as you change stitch count, fabric count, over one or two, and margin.
- 1
Enter your pattern size
Type the width and height of your cross stitch pattern in stitches. Use the full chart size, including any border you plan to stitch.
- 2
Choose your fabric
Select Aida, linen, or evenweave, the fabric count, and whether you stitch over one or two threads. Over two on 28-count evenweave matches 14-count Aida over one.
- 3
Set the margin
Add extra fabric on each side for framing, hooping, or finishing. The default is 3 inches per side; switch units if you prefer centimeters.
- 4
Check the results
Read finished design size, minimum fabric with margins, and a suggested cut size rounded up to the nearest half-inch. Copy the calculation or compare counts in the chart.
FABRIC CHOICES
Aida vs linen and evenweave
Your fabric count and whether you stitch over one or two threads determine the finished design size. Compare your options in the reference size chart before choosing your fabric.
11, 14, 16 and 18 count Aida
Aida count is how many woven squares fit in one inch. One cross over one square is the usual beginner setup. Higher count → smaller finished piece for the same chart: a 140-stitch-wide design is about 12.73 in on 11 ct, 10.00 in on 14 ct, 8.75 in on 16 ct, and 7.78 in on 18 ct (over one). 11-count reads large and open; 18-count is finer and denser. Stitch over one square unless the pattern says otherwise.
14-count is the default many kits assume. If a chart only lists stitch counts and not fabric, start at 14 ct in the tool, then compare 16 or 18 in the live size chart before you buy cloth.
Aida
Clear squares, easy to count, ideal for bold charts and first projects. Common counts: 11, 14, 16, 18 (sometimes 20). Use over 1 in the calculator unless your pattern specifies otherwise.
Evenweave
More uniform weave; many stitchers work over two threads. 28-count over two finishes like 14-count Aida; 32-count over two is close to 16-count Aida. Choose Evenweave and Over 2 in the calculator if you plan to stitch over two threads.
Linen
Same sizing math as evenweave when worked over two. 28, 32, and 36 count over two are common for finer pieces. Over one on high-count linen is half the size of over two— double-check the pattern before you cut.
BEFORE YOU CUT
How much extra fabric do you need?
Finished design size is only the stitched area. Fabric to cut must include bare cloth on every side for the hoop, frame, or finish you actually use.
Typical allowances
- Small hoop or ornament: about 2 in (5 cm) per side
- Standard frame or hoop: about 3 in (7.5 cm) per side (calculator default)
- Scroll rods, large frames, or pillows: 3–4 in (7.5–10 cm) or more
Measure from the design edge outward. If a framer asks for a minimum reveal or mounting overlap, use their number instead of a generic default.
Minimum vs suggested cut
Minimum fabric is design + margin on all four sides, exactly. Suggested cut rounds each dimension up to the nearest half-inch so yardage and scissors errors do not leave you short. Never round down. Suggested cut sizes use half-inch (1.27 cm) increments, including when shown in centimeters.
THE MATH
Cross stitch fabric size formula
Use these formulas to work out your finished design size and how much fabric to cut.
Effective count
Effective count = fabric count ÷ threads per stitch. Over one: effective count equals the labeled count. Over two: divide by 2. So 28 ct evenweave over two → 14 stitches per inch, the same finished size as 14 ct Aida over one.
Design and cut size
Design width (in) = stitches wide ÷ effective count. Height uses the same formula. Cut width = design width + 2 × margin per side; cut height = design height + 2 × margin. To convert the result to centimeters, multiply by 2.54.
Worked example
Pattern 140 × 100 stitches, 14 ct Aida, over 1, margin 3 in per side:
| Result | Inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Finished width | 10.00 | 25.40 |
| Finished height | 7.14 | 18.14 |
| Minimum cut width | 16.00 | 40.64 |
| Minimum cut height | 13.14 | 33.38 |
| Suggested cut size | 16.0 × 13.5 | 40.64 × 34.29 |
Try this example in the calculator above, or enter your own pattern size and margins. For linen or evenweave stitched over two threads, choose your fabric type and Over 2.
Inches to centimeters
Multiply inches by 2.54 for centimeters; divide centimeters by 2.54 for inches. Example: a 10.00 in design width is 25.40 cm. US charts often list inches; many metric shops cut in cm—use suggested cut in your shop’s unit, but keep the same real-world margin your framer or hoop needs.
BEFORE YOU CUT THE YARDAGE
Frequently
asked questions
Fabric count, margins, over two, and centimeter results.
How do I calculate fabric size for cross stitch?
Divide your pattern width in stitches by the effective fabric count to get finished width in inches. Do the same for height. Effective count is the fabric count when you stitch over one thread, or fabric count ÷ 2 when you stitch over two. Add margin on every side for the fabric you need to cut. Example: 140 × 100 stitches on 14-count Aida over one is 10.00 × 7.14 in for the design; with 3 in per side, cut at least 16.00 × 13.14 in (suggested 16 × 13.5 in).
How much extra fabric should I leave for cross stitch?
Most stitchers leave about 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) of bare fabric on each side for hooping, framing, or finishing. Large frames, scroll rods, or pillows may need 3–4 inches. The calculator defaults to 3 inches per side; raise or lower the margin to match how you finish the piece.
What does 14 count Aida mean?
14-count Aida has 14 squares per inch, so one cross stitch over one square is 1/14 inch wide. A 140-stitch-wide design is 10 inches across on 14-count when stitched over one. Higher counts pack more stitches into each inch and make a smaller finished piece.
What is the difference between 14 count and 16 count Aida?
The same pattern finishes smaller on 16-count than on 14-count because more stitches fit in each inch. Example: 140 × 100 stitches is about 10.00 × 7.14 in on 14 ct and 8.75 × 6.25 in on 16 ct (over one). Use the size chart on this page to compare counts for your stitch count.
Is 28 count evenweave the same size as 14 count Aida?
Yes, when you stitch over two threads on 28-count evenweave (or linen). Effective count becomes 28 ÷ 2 = 14, so finished size matches 14-count Aida over one. Over one on 28-count is much denser and about half the size.
Can I calculate cross stitch fabric size in centimeters?
Yes. Switch the calculator to centimeters to see finished design size, minimum fabric, and suggested cut size in cm. Suggested cut sizes are rounded up in half-inch (1.27 cm) increments, including when shown in centimeters.
What size fabric do I need for a 100 × 100 stitch pattern?
On 14-count Aida over one, the design is about 7.14 × 7.14 in (18.1 × 18.1 cm). With 3 in margin per side, minimum fabric is about 13.14 × 13.14 in; suggested cut is 13.5 × 13.5 in. On 18-count over one, the same pattern is about 5.56 × 5.56 in before margins. Enter 100 × 100 above to find the fabric size you need with your chosen fabric and margins.
Does the calculator include framing margins?
Yes. Finished design size is the stitched area only. Minimum fabric size and suggested cut size add your margin on all four sides. Change margin per side if your framer or hoop needs more or less bare fabric.
Know the size.
Then cut with confidence.