Cross Stitch Calculator
Stitch count in, everything else out: finished size in cm and inches, how much Aida to cut, and a rough floss estimate.
Finished design size
18.1 × 25.4 cm
7.1 × 10.0 inches on 14 ct
Fabric to cut
33.1 × 40.4 cm
13.0 × 15.9 in · includes 7.5 cm (3 in) margin per side
Floss estimate
≈ 70 m · 3 skeins
full crosses, 2 strands, 8 m skeins · 100% coverage
Don't have a chart yet? Turn a photo into a grid chart and count the squares.
Estimates assume full crosses over one Aida block with 2 strands (≈0.5 cm of floss per stitch on 14 ct, scaled by fabric count). Backstitch, French knots, and specialty stitches add more — always keep one extra skein in the same dye lot. 💕
Every cross stitch project starts with the same three questions: how big will it be, how much fabric do I cut, and how much floss do I need? This cross stitch calculator answers all three from two numbers — your design's stitch count and your fabric count. Pick 11 to 22 ct Aida and the math updates instantly.
The fabric calculation adds the standard 7.5 cm (3 inch) margin per side that framing and hooping require, so you cut once and don't run short. The floss estimate uses the classic full-cross heuristic — about half a centimeter of thread per stitch on 14 ct, scaled to your fabric — and converts it into 8 m skeins you can actually buy.
What you get
Finished size in both units
Stitches divided by fabric count gives inches; centimeters come along for the metric half of the world.
Fabric cut size with margins
Adds 7.5 cm (3 in) per side automatically — the margin framers and hoops actually need.
All standard Aida counts
11, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 ct — switch counts to see how the same chart shrinks on finer fabric.
Floss and skein estimate
A per-stitch heuristic scaled by fabric count, converted to 8 m skeins of 2-strand floss.
Coverage adjustment
Full-coverage piece or a small motif on open fabric — slide the coverage and the floss math follows.
Free, no sign-up
Runs entirely in your browser. No account, no upload, nothing stored.
How to calculate cross stitch fabric and floss
Enter your design's stitch count
Find the width and height in stitches on your chart — usually printed near the grid or in the pattern header.
Pick your fabric count
Choose the Aida count you plan to stitch on. 14 ct is the most common; 18 ct gives a noticeably smaller, finer result.
Cut fabric and shop floss
Cut your fabric to the shown size (margins included) and use the skein estimate as your shopping list — plus one spare.
Calculator vs. back-of-envelope math
| Cross stitch calculator | Mental arithmetic | |
|---|---|---|
| Finished size | Exact, in both cm and inches at once | Inch-only guess that needs converting anyway |
| Margins | 7.5 cm per side baked into the cut size | Remembered after the fabric is already cut small |
| Comparing fabric counts | Flip 14 ct to 18 ct and watch the size change instantly | Redo the division for every count you consider |
| Floss shopping | Skein count from a per-stitch estimate | Buy three, run out, hunt the dye lot |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cross stitch fabric size?
Divide your design's stitch count by the fabric count to get inches, then multiply by 2.54 for centimeters. A 140 × 100 stitch design on 14 ct Aida is 10 × 7.1 inches (25.4 × 18.1 cm). Then add your margin — 7.5 cm (3 in) per side is the standard — to get the fabric to cut. The calculator above does both steps.
What does 14 count Aida mean?
The count is how many stitches fit in one inch of fabric. 14 ct means 14 crosses per inch, so each stitch is about 1.8 mm. Higher counts (18, 22) make smaller stitches and a smaller, finer finished piece; lower counts (11) make bigger, bolder ones.
How much extra fabric should I leave around a cross stitch project?
The standard is 3 inches (7.5 cm) on every side. That leaves enough for hooping while you stitch and for a framer to stretch and mount the finished piece. Cut smaller and framing becomes a fight — the calculator includes this margin in the cut size.
How is the floss estimate calculated?
A full cross worked with 2 strands on 14 ct Aida uses roughly 0.5 cm of floss per stitch. The estimate scales that by your fabric count (finer fabric, smaller stitches, less thread) and multiplies by your stitch count and coverage. An 8 m skein of 6-strand floss yields about 24 m when stitched with 2 strands, which gives the skein count. Backstitch and French knots use extra — buy one spare skein.
Can I use evenweave or linen instead of Aida?
Yes — most stitchers work evenweave and linen 'over 2 threads', so a 28 ct evenweave stitches at the same size as 14 ct Aida. Just halve the fabric count and enter that: 28 ct linen over 2 → select 14 ct in the calculator.
Is this cross stitch calculator free?
Yes — free, unlimited, and it runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded or stored.