Cross Stitch Fabric Size Calculator: Finished Size and Fabric to Cut
Divide the stitch count by the fabric count to get inches, then add 3 inches of margin on every side. A 120 x 160 stitch design on 14 count Aida finishes at 8.6 x 11.4 inches, so cut fabric 15 x 18 inches. On evenweave stitched over two, divide by half the count.
Enter your pattern's stitch count (listed on the chart or pattern cover) and choose your fabric. The calculator gives the finished size, the fabric to cut and a hoop or frame suggestion.
Your pattern and fabric
Your results
Finished design
21.8 x 29 cm
| Fabric to cut | 15 x 18 in |
|---|---|
| Stitches per inch | 14 |
| Suggested holder | 14 in hoop |
| Floss strands | 2 |
Fabric, floss and a frame for this design
At this count most stitchers see the holes clearly in good light.
DMC Charles Craft Silver Label Aida, 14 Count, 30 x 36 Inch
Under $25A large piece of 14 count Aida, enough to cut this design with margins.
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DMC Embroidery Floss Assortment, 100 Colors
Under $100One hundred floss colors so you are not buying skeins one at a time.
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Q-Snap Frame 17 x 17 Inch
Under $50Holds fabric taut without hoop marks for medium designs.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Stitching on a fine count? Light and magnification help
At 16 stitches per inch and finer, a magnifier lamp reduces eye strain on long sessions.
Daylight Company Magnificent Pro Magnifying Lamp
Under $250A daylight-balanced floor lamp with a large magnifier lens.
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Brightech LightView Pro LED Magnifying Floor Lamp
Under $250An affordable magnifier floor lamp with a flexible neck.
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Wichelt Permin Premium Linen, 28 Count, Ivory
Under $5028 count linen for heirloom pieces stitched over two.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
A big design deserves a floor stand
Large pieces are much easier on a scroll frame held by a stand, leaving both hands free.
MARGAR Workstand with Side Clamp (fits Lowery stands)
Under $250A steel needlework floor stand, sturdy enough for large frames.
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Frank A. Edmunds 5850 Adjustable Lap and Table Stand with Scroll Frame
Under $50An adjustable lap or tabletop stand that comes with an 8.5 by 24 inch split rail scroll frame taking fabric up to 21 inches wide. It stands in for the Edmunds Split Rail Scroll Frame Set, which is sold out on Amazon.
Check price Daylight Company Magnificent Pro Magnifying Lamp
Under $250Bright, true-color light over a big work area.
Check pricePrices change often, so confirm on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How is cross stitch fabric size calculated?
Finished inches equal stitches divided by stitches per inch. Fabric to cut adds the margin to both sides of each dimension. For the default pattern of 120 x 160 stitches on 14 count Aida: 120 / 14 = 8.6 inches and 160 / 14 = 11.4 inches. Adding 3 inches per side gives 15 x 18 inches, rounded up to whole inches.
Large charts run for months, so it is worth keeping the stitch count, the fabric count and the cut size somewhere other than the pattern envelope. The Cross Stitch Chart Sizing and Progress Tracker in our printable maker's kit holds those three numbers and a grid for marking off how much of the design is finished.
How big is a 120 x 160 stitch design on every fabric count?
The same chart finishes at a different size on every fabric: 8.6 x 11.4 inches on 14 count Aida, and smaller on each higher count, with the piece to cut shown alongside.
| Count | Fabric | Stitches per inch | Finished (in) | Finished (cm) | Cut (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | aida | 6 | 20 x 26.7 | 50.8 x 67.7 | 26 x 33 |
| 8 | aida | 8 | 15 x 20 | 38.1 x 50.8 | 21 x 26 |
| 11 | aida | 11 | 10.9 x 14.5 | 27.7 x 36.9 | 17 x 21 |
| 14 | aida | 14 | 8.6 x 11.4 | 21.8 x 29 | 15 x 18 |
| 16 | aida | 16 | 7.5 x 10 | 19.1 x 25.4 | 14 x 16 |
| 18 | aida | 18 | 6.7 x 8.9 | 16.9 x 22.6 | 13 x 15 |
| 20 | aida | 20 | 6 x 8 | 15.2 x 20.3 | 12 x 14 |
| 22 | hardanger | 11 | 10.9 x 14.5 | 27.7 x 36.9 | 17 x 21 |
| 25 | evenweave | 12.5 | 9.6 x 12.8 | 24.4 x 32.5 | 16 x 19 |
| 27 | evenweave | 13.5 | 8.9 x 11.9 | 22.6 x 30.1 | 15 x 18 |
| 28 | evenweave | 14 | 8.6 x 11.4 | 21.8 x 29 | 15 x 18 |
| 32 | linen | 16 | 7.5 x 10 | 19.1 x 25.4 | 14 x 16 |
| 36 | linen | 18 | 6.7 x 8.9 | 16.9 x 22.6 | 13 x 15 |
| 40 | linen | 20 | 6 x 8 | 15.2 x 20.3 | 12 x 14 |
Check the stitch count, not the chart size
Printed charts are often shown at a different scale than the finished piece. The stitch count on the pattern is what matters.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cross stitch fabric size?
Divide the pattern width and height in stitches by the stitches per inch of your fabric, then add a margin of about 3 inches on each side for framing. For 28 count evenweave stitched over two, use 14 stitches per inch. A 100 x 100 stitch design on 14 count is about 7.1 inches, so cut 14 x 14 inch fabric.
How much extra fabric should I leave around a cross stitch?
Three inches per side is the common recommendation for pieces you will frame, because framers need fabric to wrap around the mounting board. Ornaments, cards and small finishes can use 2 inches. For pillows or other sewn finishes, add the seam allowance your finishing method needs on top of the margin.
How do I convert a cross stitch pattern to a different count?
Keep the stitch count and change the divisor. The same 120 x 160 stitch design is 10.9 x 14.5 inches on 11 count and 6.7 x 8.9 inches on 18 count. Lower counts make bigger pieces with chunkier stitches; higher counts make smaller, finer pieces.
What does over two mean on evenweave?
Evenweave and linen are counted by threads, and most patterns place each cross over two threads. That halves the stitches per inch: 28 count over two behaves like 14 count Aida, and 32 count over two like 16 count. The calculator switches to over two automatically for evenweave and linen, and you can change it.
What size hoop do I need for my cross stitch?
Choose a hoop 1 to 2 inches bigger than the design so the stitching sits inside the ring, or a hoop you can move around a larger piece. The calculator suggests the smallest standard hoop; for designs over about 12 inches, a scroll frame, Q-Snap frame or floor stand is more comfortable than a hoop.
What size fabric do I need for a 200 x 250 stitch pattern?
On 14 count Aida that design finishes at about 14.3 x 17.9 inches, so with a 3 inch margin on every side you would cut roughly 21 x 24 inches. On 18 count the same chart finishes at about 11.1 x 13.9 inches and needs about 18 x 20 inches of fabric. Enter your own stitch count above for the exact cut size.
Is Aida or evenweave better for a first project?
Aida, because its woven blocks make the holes obvious and every stitch lands on an even grid without counting threads. 14 count Aida is the usual starting point, at 14 stitches per inch. Evenweave and linen are stitched over two threads for a smoother finish, but they ask you to count threads rather than follow holes, so most stitchers move to them once counting feels automatic.
How we research: we compare manufacturer specifications, owner manuals, published standards and recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We do not test products in person, and this is researched guidance, not professional advice. Follow your machine manual and pattern, and take care with rotary cutters, hot irons and needles. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
