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Aida cloth is sold by count, and the count is simply the number of stitches per inch. Fourteen count means fourteen stitches in one inch, eighteen count means eighteen, and so on. Higher count means smaller stitches and a finer, more detailed picture. This free tool converts a count into stitches per centimetre and millimetres per stitch, and sizes a design from its stitch count, so you can plan any project in either unit system.
Enter the fabric count and the number of stitches across your design. The tool shows stitches per centimetre, which is the count divided by 2.54, and the size of one stitch in millimetres. It also turns the stitch count into a finished width in inches and centimetres. For example, 140 stitches on 14 count make a 10 inch wide design, which is 25.4 centimetres.
Count changes the look of a project more than any other single choice. Eleven count stitches are bold and quick, and suit simple designs and beginners. Fourteen count is the most common all-rounder, detailed enough for most patterns without eye strain. Eighteen count gives fine detail for portraits and small motifs, but it is slower and harder on the eyes. Twenty eight count, stitched over two threads, gives an even finer result for experienced stitchers.
Count also changes how much floss you need. Smaller stitches use less thread each, but a design of the same physical size holds more stitches on finer fabric, so the total can still rise. If you move a pattern to a different count, the finished size changes even though the stitch count stays the same: the same 140 stitches span 10 inches on 14 count but only about 7.8 inches on 18 count. The tool shows that shift instantly.
Choosing a count is a balance of detail, speed, and comfort. Beginners should start at 11 or 14 count with two or three strands. If you stitch in the evening or your eyes tire easily, a larger stitch is kinder than a finer one, and a magnifier helps less than simply choosing a lower count. There is no prize for the finest fabric, only a finished project you enjoyed making.
Check your fabric before you cut. Count is sometimes printed on the selvedge, and you can also count stitches over one inch with a ruler. If the fabric was a gift or came without a label, counting by hand takes a minute and prevents a project that finishes at the wrong size. Wash and press the fabric first if you plan to wash the finished piece, since some fabrics shrink slightly.
Patterns usually state a recommended count, but you are free to change it. Keep the stitch count from the chart, enter your chosen count in this tool, and you have the new finished size. Then check that the size still fits your frame or the wall space you planned. A pattern designed for a cushion can become a wall hanging on a lower count, and that is a feature, not a mistake, as long as you planned it.
All results here are estimates and guidance only, and finished sizes vary a little with fabric, tension, and finishing. Use the converter to plan, measure your fabric before cutting, and leave a margin of at least 5 centimetres on each side for framing.
Framing changes the finished size you should plan for, because a frame needs fabric beyond the stitched area to wrap or mount. This tool gives you the stitched width, and you should add at least 5 centimetres on every side for framing, more if you plan a deep mount or a stretched finish. Measure your frame before you buy fabric, not after you finish stitching, since discovering a shortfall at the end is painful. If the fabric you own is slightly short, a border of coordinating fabric can rescue the project and often looks deliberate. Planning the frame first is a small habit that prevents the most common finishing disappointment in cross stitch.
Related calculators
- Versión en español
- Cross Stitch Floss Estimator – Skeins per Colour from Stitch Count
- Pattern Repeat Calculator – Repeats Across the Width for Matched Patterns