---
title: "Aida & Fabric Count Calculator | Velvet Stitchery"
description: "Work out a cross-stitch design's finished size and the fabric to cut on any Aida, evenweave or linen count, or the stitches a finished size needs."
url: https://velvetstitchery.cfd/aida-fabric-calculator/
---

# Aida & fabric count calculator

How big will a design come out, and how much fabric should you cut? Enter the stitch count from your pattern and compare every Aida, evenweave and linen count.

## Finished size

10 × 7.1 in finished design (25.4 × 18.1 cm)

The same 140 × 100 design to scale; numbers are stitches per inch.

| Fabric | Stitches per inch | Design size | Fabric to cut |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 11-count Aida | 11 (4.3/cm) | 12.7 × 9.1 in (32.3 × 23.1 cm) | 18.7 × 15.1 in (47.6 × 38.3 cm) |
| 14-count Aida | 14 (5.5/cm) | 10 × 7.1 in (25.4 × 18.1 cm) | 16 × 13.1 in (40.6 × 33.4 cm) |
| 16-count Aida | 16 (6.3/cm) | 8.8 × 6.3 in (22.2 × 15.9 cm) | 14.8 × 12.3 in (37.5 × 31.1 cm) |
| 18-count Aida | 18 (7.1/cm) | 7.8 × 5.6 in (19.8 × 14.1 cm) | 13.8 × 11.6 in (35 × 29.4 cm) |
| 20-count Aida | 20 (7.9/cm) | 7 × 5 in (17.8 × 12.7 cm) | 13 × 11 in (33 × 27.9 cm) |
| 22-count Aida | 22 (8.7/cm) | 6.4 × 4.5 in (16.2 × 11.5 cm) | 12.4 × 10.5 in (31.4 × 26.8 cm) |
| 25-count evenweave, over two | 12.5 (4.9/cm) | 11.2 × 8 in (28.4 × 20.3 cm) | 17.2 × 14 in (43.7 × 35.6 cm) |
| 28-count evenweave, over two | 14 (5.5/cm) | 10 × 7.1 in (25.4 × 18.1 cm) | 16 × 13.1 in (40.6 × 33.4 cm) |
| 32-count linen, over two | 16 (6.3/cm) | 8.8 × 6.3 in (22.2 × 15.9 cm) | 14.8 × 12.3 in (37.5 × 31.1 cm) |
| 36-count linen, over two | 18 (7.1/cm) | 7.8 × 5.6 in (19.8 × 14.1 cm) | 13.8 × 11.6 in (35 × 29.4 cm) |
| 40-count linen, over two | 20 (7.9/cm) | 7 × 5 in (17.8 × 12.7 cm) | 13 × 11 in (33 × 27.9 cm) |

## How fabric count sets the size

A fabric's **count** is how many stitches fit in one inch. Divide the stitches across your pattern by the count to get the finished size: 140 stitches on 14-count Aida is 10 inches, and the same design on 18-count is 7.8 inches. In centimetres, divide the count by 2.54; 14-count is 5.5 stitches per cm, the "pts/cm" figure on European labels.

Aida is woven in blocks and you stitch over one block. **Evenweave and linen** are counted in threads and usually stitched over two threads, so 28-count evenweave gives 14 stitches per inch, the same size as 14-count Aida. Choose "Other count" for any fabric not in the list, and say whether you stitch over one thread or two.

Fabric to cut is the design plus spare fabric on every side. Allow at least 3 to 4 inches each side: room to hold the work in a hoop or frame, and to lace or stretch the finished piece for framing. A wider border looks better if you plan a mount.

Worked example: a 140 × 100 stitch chart on 14-count Aida finishes at 10 × 7.1 inches (25.4 × 18.1 cm). With 3 inches each side, cut 16 × 13.1 inches (40.6 × 33.4 cm). To fill an 8 × 10 inch frame on 14-count instead, the second calculator gives 112 × 140 stitches.

The strand and needle suggestions come from the Needlework FAQ: 3 or 4 strands on 11-count, 2 or 3 on 14-count and 2 on 18-count, with a size 22 tapestry needle up to 14-count, 24 or 26 for 16 to 18, and 26 above that. Other counts are interpolated. Test a few stitches on a scrap and use what covers the way you like.

## Sources

- DMC, [Aida embroidery fabric](https://www.dmc.com/US/en/products/aida-embroidery-fabric): count is the number of stitches per inch; the metric equivalent is stitches per centimetre; 14-count (5.5 pts/cm) recommended for beginners.
- Kathleen Dyer, [Needlework FAQ: Counted Cross Stitch, chapter 1](https://www.crosstitch.com/nfaq/nfaq1.html) (crosstitch.com): spare fabric of at least 3 to 4 inches on each edge, strands by count, tapestry needle sizes.
- Kathleen Dyer, [Needlework FAQ, chapter 2](https://www.crosstitch.com/nfaq/nfaq2.html): stitching evenweave over two threads, so 28-count linen gives the same size as 14-count Aida.

## Questions

**What does 14-count Aida mean?**

It means 14 stitches fit in one inch of fabric, both across and down. Higher counts have smaller squares, so the same chart comes out smaller and looks finer, but the holes are harder to see. 14-count is the usual starting point.

**Is 28-count evenweave the same size as 14-count Aida?**

Yes, when you stitch over two threads, which is the usual way. Each cross then covers two threads each way, so you get 14 stitches per inch. Stitched over one thread, the same fabric gives 28 stitches per inch and the design is half the size.

**How much extra fabric should I cut?**

At least 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 cm) on every side of the design. That gives a hoop or frame something to grip and leaves enough to fold behind a backing board when you frame it. Cut more if you want a wide plain border to show.

**Can I stitch a pattern on a different count than it says?**

Yes. The chart stays the same; only the finished size changes, as the comparison table shows. Adjust the strands too: fewer on finer fabric, more on coarser, so the stitches cover well. Floss use changes as well, so recheck it with the floss calculator.

**How do I convert a count to stitches per centimetre?**

Divide by 2.54, the number of centimetres in an inch. 11-count is 4.3 stitches per cm, 14-count is 5.5, 16-count is 6.3 and 18-count is 7.1. For evenweave stitched over two, halve the thread count first.