Cross Stitch Fabric Calculator
Cross stitch fabric size from count and border.
What it does
Cross stitch fabric frames the design with finishing room: stitches over fabric count gives design size, plus borders on all sides. This page adds both directions in inches or cm for one count.
The default is 100 by 80 stitches on 14 ct with a 3 in border. Design is 7.1 by 5.7 in and fabric cuts 13.1 by 11.7 in. Metric uses an 8 cm border for the same piece and gives 34.1 by 30.5 cm.
Count sets scale most. Fourteen count is the common middle, elevens stitch large and quick, eighteens run fine and small. Over one versus over two changes thread use but not fabric math.
Borders frame and finish. Two inches suits hoops, three frames most pieces, and extra depth serves lacing and mounting. Cut once the design washes, since fabric draws.
How to use
- Pick imperial or metric first.
- Enter stitch counts wide and tall.
- Enter fabric count.
- Enter border per side.
- Read fabric size first.
Formula
- st W
- Stitch count across.
- st H
- Stitch count down.
- count
- Fabric threads per inch.
- border
- Finishing border per side.
Count is threads per inch (6 to 40 ct); metric divides by 2.54 for per cm. Border is framing and finishing room per side, often 2 to 3 in. Measure the stitched piece after washing, since evenweave draws in.
Worked example
Example: 100 by 80 bird
100 by 80 sts on 14 ct with 3 in border (metric 8 cm).
- Width: 100 / 14 + 2 x 3 = 7.14 + 6 = 13.1 in.
- Height: 80 / 14 + 6 = 5.71 + 6 = 11.7 in.
- Metric: 100 / 5.51 + 16 = 34.1 cm wide.
- Metric height: 80 / 5.51 + 16 = 30.5 cm.
- Tool shows 13.1 x 11.7 in imperial.
Reference table
| Count | 100 sts | 80 sts |
|---|---|---|
| 11 ct | 9.1 in | 7.3 in |
| 14 ct | 7.1 in | 5.7 in |
| 16 ct | 6.3 in | 5 in |
| 18 ct | 5.6 in | 4.4 in |
| 28 ct | 3.6 in | 2.9 in |
Limits
- One count per pass. Mixed grounds need splitting.
- Border fixed per side. Uneven mats need adjusting.
- Ignores shrinkage past the note.
- Floss and framing excluded.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting borders on all four sides.
- Mixing over one with over two counts.
- Using cm border with inch math.
- Cutting before washing the piece.
- Reading design size as fabric size.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
140 by 120 sts on 14 ct, no border?
10 by 8.6 in (140/14=10 wide, 120/14=8.57 tall, no border).
76 by 60 sts on 14 ct, no border?
5.4 by 4.3 in (76/14, 60/14, no border).
Questions
What fabric size?
Stitches over count plus borders. Here 13.1 by 11.7 in.
Design size alone?
Stitched area only. Here 7.1 by 5.7 in.
What is that in metric?
34.1 by 30.5 cm with 8 cm border.
Fabric count?
Threads per inch of evenweave. Here 14 ct.
Border for framing?
Yes for framing. Hoops can run smaller.
Supplies included?
No. Floss, needles, and hoops sit outside fabric math.