Cross-Stitch Fabric Size Calculator
A cross-stitch chart has a width and height in stitches; how big it finishes depends on the fabric count you stitch it on. Enter the chart's stitch counts, your fabric count and a margin for framing, and this tool returns the stitched size and the fabric to cut, in both inches and centimetres.
Cross-stitch fabric formula
Stitched width (in) = chart width / fabric count
Stitched height (in) = chart height / fabric count
Cut size (in) = stitched size + 2 * margin (each dimension)
Centimetres = inches * 2.54
The margin is added to both sides, so each dimension gains twice the per-side margin. One inch is exactly 2.54 cm.
Worked example
A 140 by 98 stitch chart on 14-count Aida stitches at 140 / 14 = 10.00 inches wide by 98 / 14 = 7.00 inches tall. With a 3 inch margin per side, cut size = (10 plus 6) by (7 plus 6) = 16.00 by 13.00 inches, which is 40.64 by 33.02 cm.
Cross-stitch fabric: frequently asked questions
How do you calculate cross-stitch fabric size?
Aida and evenweave are measured in count: stitches (or threads) per inch. The stitched size is the chart's stitch count divided by the fabric count. Add a margin on each side for framing or finishing to get the size to cut.
What does fabric count mean?
Count is the number of stitches per inch the fabric supports. 14-count Aida fits 14 stitches per inch, 18-count fits 18. A higher count gives a smaller, finer finished piece for the same chart.
How much margin should I add?
A common practice is to add a few inches of extra fabric on every side so there is room to mount, frame or finish the work and to hold it in a hoop. The margin here is editable; many stitchers add about 3 inches per side.
Does stitching over two threads change the count?
Yes. On evenweave or linen, stitching over two threads halves the effective stitch count. If you stitch over two, enter half the fabric's thread count as the stitch count per inch (for example 28-count linen over two behaves like 14 stitches per inch).
Sources and notes
- The calculation is a direct division: stitched size equals stitch count divided by fabric count. The inch-to-centimetre factor of 2.54 is exact by definition.
- Fabric count and chart size are your project values; this tool assumes no fixed fabric.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 19 June 2026. See our methodology.