The cross stitch calculator that works both ways
Cross Stitch Calculator
Calculate fabric size from a pattern—or work backwards to find the largest pattern your fabric can fit.
14-count aida over 1 is equivalent to 14 stitches per inch.
Recommended Fabric Size
17.00 × 20.50 inches
- Exact fabric required
- 16.71 × 20.29 inches
- Finished design size
- 10.71 × 14.29 inches
- Effective fabric count
- 14 stitches per inch
Suggested needle: Size 24 tapestry needle
A common recommendation—personal preference may vary.
Compare Your Pattern on Different Fabrics
| Fabric | Effective count | Finished size |
|---|---|---|
| 14-count Aida | 14 | 10.71 × 14.29 inches |
| 16-count Aida | 16 | 9.38 × 12.50 inches |
| 18-count Aida | 18 | 8.33 × 11.11 inches |
Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator
The pattern-to-fabric mode answers a simple question: if you know your chart size in stitches, how much Aida, linen, or evenweave should you buy? Enter stitch width and height, pick a fabric count, choose over 1 or over 2, and set how much extra fabric you want on each side. You get three clear numbers: finished design size, exact fabric required, and a recommended cut size rounded for easy shopping.
Finished design size is the stitched area only. Exact fabric required adds your border on every side. Recommended fabric size rounds up so you can cut or order with a little spare—half-inch steps for inches, whole centimeters for metric.
Reverse Cross Stitch Calculator
Already own a piece of fabric? Switch to Fabric → Pattern. Enter the fabric width and height, fabric count, stitch-over setting, and border. The reverse calculator returns the largest pattern that still leaves your planned margin. Results are floored to whole stitches so you never over-promise a fit.
When width and height differ, you will also see a rotation tip: many charts fit if you turn them 90°. Use the built-in fit checker to test a specific stitch count against the same fabric.
How to Calculate Cross Stitch Fabric Size
- Find effective count:
fabric count ÷ threads over. - Finished size = stitches ÷ effective count (in inches or cm).
- Fabric needed = finished size + (border per side × 2).
Example: 100 × 100 stitches on 14-count Aida over 1 finishes at about 7.14 × 7.14 inches. With a 3-inch border per side, exact fabric is 13.14 × 13.14 inches; the recommended cut is 13.5 × 13.5 inches.
How to Calculate What Pattern Fits Your Fabric
- Subtract border × 2 from fabric width and height.
- Multiply each usable side by the effective count.
- Round down to the nearest whole stitch.
Example: 13.5 × 9.5 inch fabric, 32-count linen over 2 (16 stitches per inch), 2-inch border per side → usable area 9.5 × 5.5 inches → maximum pattern 152 × 88 stitches.
What Does Stitching Over 1 or Over 2 Mean?
Over 1 places each cross on a single fabric square or thread—standard on Aida. Over 2 covers two threads and is the usual approach on linen and evenweave. That is why 32-count linen over 2 matches 16-count Aida for sizing: both give 16 stitches per inch.
Common Aida, Linen and Evenweave Counts
Popular Aida counts include 11, 14, 16, and 18. Linen and evenweave stitchers often choose 25, 28, 32, or 36 and work over 2. The comparison table above the FAQ shows how the same pattern finishes on several common fabrics so you can trade size against detail before you buy.
Cross Stitch Calculator FAQ
How do I calculate cross stitch fabric size?+
Divide your pattern width and height in stitches by the effective fabric count (stitches per inch). Then add your border twice—once for each side. For example, a 140 × 140 stitch pattern on 14-count Aida finishes at 10 × 10 inches. With a 3-inch border on each side, you need 16 × 16 inches of fabric.
How much extra fabric should I leave on each side?+
Most stitchers leave 2–4 inches (about 5–10 cm) of extra fabric per side for framing, finishing, and hoop tension. Three inches per side is a safe default for most projects. Use less only when fabric is limited and you plan a tight finish.
How do I work backwards from fabric to pattern?+
Subtract your planned border from both sides of the fabric, then multiply the remaining usable area by the effective fabric count. Floor the result to get the largest whole-stitch pattern that will fit. This reverse calculator does that instantly.
How many stitches fit on 14-count Aida?+
14-count Aida has 14 stitches per inch when stitched over 1. A usable stitching area of 10 × 10 inches holds 140 × 140 stitches. Always subtract your border before calculating how large a pattern can go.
How many stitches fit on 32-count linen?+
32-count linen stitched over 2 gives 16 stitches per inch—the same density as 16-count Aida. Over 1, it would be 32 stitches per inch, which is uncommon for full cross stitch. This calculator defaults linen and evenweave to over 2.
Is 28-count linen over 2 the same as 14-count Aida?+
Yes for stitch density. 28 ÷ 2 = 14 effective stitches per inch, so finished design size matches 14-count Aida. Fabric hand-feel and hole appearance still differ, but size calculations are equivalent.
How can I check if my cross stitch pattern fits my fabric?+
Use the Fabric → Pattern mode, enter your fabric size and border, then open “Already have a pattern?” Enter the stitch width and height. The tool tells you if it fits, fits when rotated 90°, or how many stitches it exceeds.
What does stitching over 2 mean?+
Over 2 means each cross stitch covers two fabric threads. On linen or evenweave, this is the usual approach and halves the fabric count for sizing. Over 1 covers a single thread and is standard on Aida.
What size needle should I use?+
Needle size usually follows effective stitch density: roughly #22 for 6–11, #24 for 12–14, #26 for 15–18, and #28 for 19+ stitches per inch. Personal preference and floss strand count also matter.
Can I calculate in centimeters?+
Yes. Switch the unit to centimeters at any time. Existing border and fabric measurements convert automatically so you do not accumulate rounding errors from repeated toggles.