Aida 14, 16 or 18 Count: How Big Will Your Finished Cross Stitch Be?

The same cross stitch chart can come out as a big cushion front or a small card topper. The only thing that changes is the fabric count. If you've ever finished a design and found it won't fit the frame you bought, this is the guide to read before you cut your Aida.

Below you'll find the one sum that gives you the finished size, a ready-worked table for the most popular Aida counts, how to add the right margin, and what changes when you stitch on evenweave or linen instead. For a wider introduction to the fabrics themselves, see our guide to Aida, evenweave and needlework fabric.

What the count actually means

An Aida count is the number of squares (blocks) in one inch of fabric. On 14-count Aida there are 14 squares per inch; on 18-count there are 18. A standard full cross stitch on Aida covers one square, so the count is also the number of stitches you'll fit into an inch. More squares per inch means smaller stitches and a smaller finished design.

That's why the count is always given per inch, even on fabric sold in centimetres. If you think in metric, divide the count by 2.54 to get stitches per centimetre: 14-count is about 5.5 stitches per cm, 16-count about 6.3, and 18-count about 7.1.

The sum: stitches ÷ count = inches

Every chart lists its design size in stitches, usually as width x height (for example 140 x 100 stitches). To find the finished size:

• Width in inches = stitches wide ÷ fabric count
• Height in inches = stitches high ÷ fabric count
• For centimetres, multiply the inches by 2.54

So a design 140 stitches wide on 14-count Aida is 140 ÷ 14 = 10in, or 25.4cm. Use the stitch count of the stitched area only; ignore any blank chart space around it.

Finished sizes at 11, 14, 16 and 18 count

Here is a hypothetical 140 x 100 stitch design worked out across four common Aida counts. These are calculated sizes, not measurements from a stitched sample; real pieces can vary very slightly with your tension and how firmly the fabric is stretched.

Notice how big the jump is: moving the same chart from 18-count to 11-count makes it about 60% wider. If a kit specifies a count and you want to swap, always redo the sum first.

How much margin to add

The finished design is not the size of fabric you need. You also need spare fabric around the stitching for your hoop or frame while you work, and for mounting or framing once you're done. Our framing guide recommends fabric at least 4cm (1½in) larger on all sides than a hoop when you finish a piece in one, and a bigger margin for larger pieces mounted on board.

For the table above we've used 7.5cm (3in) on every side as a comfortable planning allowance. That gives room for a hoop, a little fraying at the cut edges and a choice of framing later. To use it, add 15cm (6in) to both the width and the height of your finished design. If you already know the exact frame, check its aperture and go by the framer's or frame maker's instructions instead.

Hypothetical example: the 140 x 100 design on 14-count needs about 40.4 x 33.1cm of fabric, so a 19 x 21in (48 x 53cm) pre-cut piece, such as our Zweigart 14 Count Aida 19in x 21in, leaves plenty of spare. The same design on 11-count needs about 47.3 x 38.1cm, which only just fits that piece, so you might prefer the larger margin of a 21 x 39 inch cut.

Evenweave and linen: one-over or two-over?

Evenweave and linen are counted by threads per inch, not squares. Cross stitch on these fabrics is usually worked over two threads, so your stitch count is half the thread count: 28-count evenweave stitched over two gives 14 stitches per inch, exactly the same size as 14-count Aida. Stitching over one thread doubles the stitches per inch and halves the finished size, which is why one-over work comes out tiny.

So for evenweave or linen, adjust the sum: stitches ÷ (thread count ÷ 2) when you stitch over two, or stitches ÷ thread count when you stitch over one. On our 140 x 100 design, 28-count evenweave over two gives 25.4 x 18.1cm (10 x 7.1in), while over one it gives 12.7 x 9.1cm (5 x 3.6in).

Which count should you choose?

Size isn't the only thing that changes with the count. Larger squares are easier to see and count, smaller squares give a finer, more detailed look. Here's how the counts compare in practice:

• 11-count: big, easy-to-see squares; a good choice for children, first projects or anyone who finds smaller holes hard on the eyes. Designs come out large.
• 14-count: the most common count in kits and the usual starting point. Our beginner's guide to cross stitch suggests a size 24 tapestry needle for it.
• 16-count: a middle ground when a 14-count version would be a little too big for your frame.
• 18-count: finer detail and smaller finished pieces, good for cards, ornaments and miniatures. The holes are smaller, so good light helps.

Whatever the count, follow your chart or kit for the number of strands of stranded cotton, and check that the needle passes through the holes without stretching them. Finer fabric generally needs a finer needle and thread to keep the squares from being crowded.

Quick checklist before you cut

• Find the design size in stitches on your chart (width x height).
• Divide each by your stitches per inch (the Aida count, or half the evenweave count if stitching over two).
• Multiply by 2.54 if you work in centimetres.
• Add your margin to every side, at least 15cm (6in) in total in each direction for our planning allowance.
• Compare with the fabric piece size and your frame before you cut or buy.

Ready to choose? Browse our full range of Aida and embroidery fabric, from 11-count to 18-count and beyond, and if you're new to charts, our guide on how to read a cross stitch pattern is a good next step.