Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator
Find out how big your design will be, then work out how much fabric to cut. Enter your chart dimensions and fabric count to see the stitched area and finishing allowance in inches or centimeters.
Free · No account needed · Calculates in your browser
Find your fabric size
Use your chart’s stitch dimensions, not its printed page size.
Aida: choose over 1. For linen or evenweave stitched over 2, enter the actual thread count.
The starting allowance is 3 in (7.62 cm) per side. Adjust it for your hoop and finishing method.
10.00 × 8.00 in
FABRIC TO CUT · INCLUDING YOUR ALLOWANCE16.00 × 14.00 in
Includes 3 in on every side.
One chart, different finished sizes
A 140 × 112 stitch chart stays the same chart on each fabric below. Only its physical size changes. These examples use Aida over one square, with 3 inches of extra fabric on every side.
| Aida count | Stitched design | Fabric to cut |
|---|---|---|
| 14-count | 10.00 × 8.00 | 16.00 × 14.00 |
| 16-count | 8.75 × 7.00 | 14.75 × 13.00 |
| 18-count | 7.78 × 6.22 | 13.78 × 12.22 |
The calculation uses the whole chart rectangle, including unstitched areas. If you crop a chart, enter its new stitch dimensions.
Using this as an Aida calculator
Enter the count printed on your fabric packaging and choose over 1. Divide each stitch dimension by that count: 140 stitches ÷ 14 squares per inch = 10 inches. Add the allowance to both edges, so 3 inches per side adds 6 inches to the width.
For linen or evenweave over two threads, choose over 2. A 28-count fabric then works at 14 stitches per inch. Check the fabric and chart instructions before choosing that setting.
Plan the fabric, then the design
Keep enough spare fabric for handling and finishing. Check your framing or sewing instructions, and round up when buying fabric. The default allowance is a starting point, not a guarantee that every finish will fit.
Ready to draw? Choose a starting point for your pattern. If you already have a chart, use the printing guide to check its symbols and page layout, or browse free patterns.
Cross stitch size calculator questions
How do I calculate cross stitch fabric size?
Divide the chart width and height in stitches by the effective stitches per inch, then add your allowance twice to each dimension. This calculator shows the stitched area and the fabric to cut separately. Multiply inches by 2.54 for centimeters.
What does 14-count Aida mean?
14-count Aida has 14 squares per inch. With one cross stitch over each square, a 140-stitch-wide design is 10 inches wide. A higher count makes the same chart smaller; a lower count makes it larger.
How do I calculate linen or evenweave stitched over two?
Enter the fabric's actual thread count and select over 2. On 28-count fabric stitched over two threads, there are 14 stitches per inch, so the finished size is the same as on 14-count Aida stitched over one square. The over setting refers to fabric threads, not the number of floss strands.
How much extra fabric should I add?
The calculator starts with 3 inches (7.62 cm) on each side, matching the allowance in Crosspic's PDF preparation guide. Change it to suit your hoop, frame or finishing instructions. This is extra fabric beyond the chart, not a stitched border.
Does changing fabric count change the pattern?
It changes the physical size of the stitches and the finished design. It does not change the chart's stitch dimensions or remove detail. Changing chart dimensions is a separate design decision.
Have your size in mind?
Start a blank chart in Crosspic, draw with DMC colors, and export a printable PDF.
Start a blank pattern