Cross Stitch Calculator
Enter your pattern's stitch count and fabric count — get finished size, how much fabric to buy, floss quantity, and DMC↔Anchor thread conversion in one click.
- Finished size in inches + cm
- Fabric to cut (with margin)
- DMC ↔ Anchor conversion
Fabric & size calculator
Floss / thread calculator
How the cross stitch calculator works
Fabric size calculator
Your finished design size is simply stitch count ÷ fabric count. For example, 140 stitches wide on 14-count aida = 10 inches. Add your preferred margin (we default to 3 inches per side — enough for framing or hooping) to get the minimum fabric to buy.
The most common fabric counts are 14ct (beginner-friendly, large holes), 16ct (slightly finer), and 18ct (detailed work, smaller holes). Higher counts like 25ct and 28ct are for evenweave and linen, typically stitched over 2 threads (so effectively 12.5ct and 14ct).
Aida fabric calculator: how much to buy
Always buy fabric larger than your design. For framed pieces, 3 inches of margin per side is the minimum (framing shops need this to stretch and mount). For items you'll finish as ornaments or cards, 2 inches may suffice. This calculator shows both the design size and the minimum fabric cut with your chosen margin.
Cross stitch thread calculator
Floss usage depends on how many stitches you make in each color. A skein of DMC embroidery floss (8 meters / 8.7 yards) typically covers about 1,800–2,200 full crosses in 2 strands on 14ct. On 18ct with 2 strands, expect 2,200–2,600 crosses per skein (smaller holes use slightly less floss per stitch).
Our calculator divides your total stitch count by the number of colors to estimate average stitches per color, then converts to skeins. If one color dominates (like a background), you'll need more of that specific color — check your pattern's color chart for exact counts.
DMC to Anchor thread conversion
DMC and Anchor are the two most common embroidery floss brands. They use different color numbering systems, but most popular colors have close equivalents. Here are the most-used colors:
| Color | DMC # | Anchor # | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Blanc / 3876 | 2 / 401 | Both brands have two whites |
| Black | 310 | 403 | Standard black |
| Red (bright) | 666 | 46 / 9 | Cardinal red |
| Navy | 311 / 823 | 166 / 408 | Dark navy blue |
| Yellow (gold) | 725 / 444 | 283 / 297 | Topaz / lemon |
| Green (forest) | 3346 / 3345 | 244 / 245 | Hunter green |
| Sky blue | 3760 / 813 | 152 / 130 | Light blue |
| Pink (light) | 605 / 602 | 1001 / 1003 | Baby pink |
| Brown (dark) | 3371 | 388 | Dark brown |
| Grey (medium) | 413 / 414 | 184 / 167 | Pewter grey |
For a full conversion chart, refer to DMC's official conversion guide.
Frequently asked questions
What size aida fabric do I need?
Divide your stitch count by the fabric count (e.g., 140 stitches ÷ 14ct = 10 inches), then add 3 inches per side for margin. For 140×100 stitches on 14ct: design is 10×7.1 in, buy at least 16×13.1 in of fabric.
How much floss do I need for cross stitch?
One DMC skein (8m) covers roughly 2,000 full crosses in 2 strands on 14ct aida. For a 2,000-stitch pattern with 10 colors, you'll use about 200 stitches per color — less than 1 skein each. Buy 1 skein per color plus extras for dominant colors.
How do I convert DMC to Anchor floss?
Use the conversion table above for the 10 most common colors. For the full chart, see DMC's official conversion guide. Colors are close but not always exact — for color-critical projects, stick to one brand.
What's the difference between 14ct and 18ct aida?
14ct has 14 holes per inch (larger stitches, easier for beginners); 18ct has 18 holes per inch (smaller, more detailed, requires better lighting). The same pattern uses the same number of stitches on both, but the finished piece is smaller on 18ct.
How much extra fabric should I add?
Minimum 2 inches per side for cards or ornaments, 3 inches per side for framing. If you're using a hoop, add at least the hoop diameter plus 2 inches on each side.