Cross Stitch Fabric & Size
Finished size of a cross stitch chart at any fabric count, over one or two, the fabric to cut with your margin, and the same chart on a second count.
The stitched area of a chart in inches or centimetres at your count, the cut size with the margin you allow on each side, the stitch total, and the same chart’s size on another count.
Example: A 140 × 200 stitch chart on 14-count Aida is 10 × 14.29 in; with 3 in margins cut 16 × 20.29 in. On 18-count it is 7.78 × 11.11 in.
Stitches over
count.
What fabric count means, what stitching over two changes, how the cut size is built, and why the count is per inch even when the answer is in centimetres.
Count
Fabric count is the number of squares (Aida) or threads (evenweave, linen) per inch. Stitched over one, each stitch covers one square, so a chart 140 stitches wide on 14-count is 10 in wide. The count is a per-inch figure by convention on every label, so the page divides in inches and converts to centimetres afterwards.
Over two
On evenweave and linen the usual stitch covers two threads each way, so a 28-count linen gives 14 stitches per inch — the same size as 14-count Aida. The page halves the count when over two is chosen, and notes when that gives a coarse stitch on what is likely an Aida count.
Cut size and comparison
The margin you allow on each side — for a hoop or frame and for mounting — is added to both dimensions. A second count shows the same chart’s size on other fabric, the quick way to decide between 14, 16 and 18 count for a given frame.
What the number does not settle
Floss quantities, partial and backstitches, and the visual density of a design at a given count are not calculated. Cut a little generously for a piece that will be laced or stretched. Inputs stay in your browser; the same anonymous usage counts as the rest of the site apply.