Aida & evenweave guide

Cross-stitch fabric count, made practical

Fabric count tells you how many Aida squares or fabric threads fit in one inch. A higher count produces smaller stitches and a smaller finished design when the chart dimensions stay the same.

Quick comparison

Fabric count and finished design size

The example shows the width of a 100-stitch chart before any border or finishing margin is added.

Finished width = chart stitches × threads crossed ÷ fabric count.
Fabric	Effective stitches / in	100-stitch width	Metric width	Practical effect
11-count Aida	11 stitches	9.09 in	23.09 cm	Larger squares and a larger finished design
14-count Aida	14 stitches	7.14 in	18.14 cm	A common starting point; DMC recommends it for beginners
16-count Aida	16 stitches	6.25 in	15.88 cm	A middle step between 14 and 18 count
18-count Aida	18 stitches	5.56 in	14.11 cm	Smaller stitches and a more compact design
28-count evenweave, over 2	14 stitches	7.14 in	18.14 cm	Same design scale as 14-count Aida when worked over two threads
32-count evenweave, over 2	16 stitches	6.25 in	15.88 cm	Same design scale as 16-count Aida when worked over two threads

14 COUNT

Clear squares, larger result

Each 14 chart stitches use one inch on 14-count Aida. It is widely available and its visible holes can be comfortable for newer stitchers.

18 COUNT

More detail per inch

Each 18 chart stitches use one inch. The same chart finishes about 22% narrower than it would on 14 count.

28 COUNT · OVER 2

Equivalent to 14 stitches per inch

Working over two threads on 28-count evenweave gives 14 stitches per inch, matching the scale of 14-count Aida.

Calculate before cutting

Turn chart stitches into finished and cut dimensions.

Enter chart width, chart height, fabric count, how many threads each stitch crosses, and the margin you want on every side.

Open the cross-stitch size calculator

Choosing fabric

Count is only one part of the choice.

Check the chart’s fabric recommendation first. Then compare the size of the finished design, your preferred stitch coverage, the number of floss strands, the fabric color, and how comfortably you can see and count the grid.

Before trimming, add enough fabric for your planned hoop, frame, mat, lacing, sewing, or other finish. The margin is a finishing decision, not part of the charted design size.

Fabric can vary slightly, so count and measure a representative section when exact framed dimensions matter.

Source notes

Last reviewed September 13, 2026

DMC: What Fabric Should You Use for Cross Stitch? Counted-stitch fabric guidance and stitching over two threads.
National Institute of Standards and Technology: SI Units — Length Exact inch-to-millimeter relationship: 1 inch equals 25.4 millimeters.