Easy Cross Stitch Calculator

Don't repeat Becky's mistake!

When my daughter Becky was 15 and learning cross stitch, I forgot to tell her one crucial thing: always leave extra fabric around the design.

When she realised the design wouldn't fit, the floodgates opened.  She threw her hoop across the room and it collided with my shin bone. Ouch!

Sadly that Lavender and Lace design was never restarted. Can you blame her?

As it happens she is much better at maths than i am, but then I cheat with the handy little cross stitch calculator below. It helps me (and hopefully, now you) to:

  • Stop guessing how much fabric you need
  • Work backwards if you have a particular frame you want to use
  • and see how the size changes when worked on a different fabric count
Go straight to the calculator

Video: How To Use The Cross Stitch Calculator

Let's look at an example

Let's use my art deco lady, Pearl, which is 115 stitches wide and 296 stitches high.

On 14-count Aida the finished size is 8.2 in × 21.1 in (21 × 53.6 cm). Switch to 18-count to make it smaller without changing the design.

How to use the calculator

1. How wide and tall is your design? (e.g. 115 x 296)

Diagram showing how to add stitch counts into the calculatorScreenshot showing the stitch counts inserted into the calculator

2. Threads per inch or cm?

Screenshot showing the fabric count entered into the calculatorScreenshot showing the fabric count inserted in the calculator

3. Calculate 

Screenshot showing the resulting size calculation for the cross stitch patternScreenshot showing the results of our example

Fabric Count Quick Tip

If you stitch over 2 threads on 28-count evenweave or linen, treat as 14-count Aida.

Remember to leave enough for framing!

Why fabric count matters

Here is your Cross Stitch Calculator

Cross Stitch Calculator

Design Size:
squares per
Finished Design Size
inches wide by inches high.
cm wide by cm high.

IMPORTANT: Before You Cut Your Fabric!

    The calculator only shows the size of the stitched area. Allow extra for finishing.

  • Cards: add ≥ 1 in / 2.5 cm margin on all sides
  • Framed pieces: add ≥ 3 in / 7.5 cm margin on each side to allow for mounting, wraparound and framing.

No more tears?

No more frustrated hoop flinging! Get it right first time, and enjoy your project without worrying.

Keep the link to this page somewhere safe, not hidden in that huge bookmark list you never return to. 

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