Made for the planning part.

One decision, made clearer.

A chart gives you stitches. A fabric shop gives you inches or centimetres. This calculator puts the two together, with space for your own border and finishing allowance.

It is an independent planning tool, not a fabric shop, pattern designer, or an official DMC or Yarn Tree product. There is no brand affiliation or endorsement implied by the reference links.

The current version supports Aida, linen and evenweave, inch and centimetre results, a fabric-fit check, and a printable summary. It does not generate patterns, estimate floss, or sell supplies.

How the maths works.

All physical measurements are calculated in inches internally. One inch is exactly 2.54 centimetres. Changing the display units does not change fabric count.

1. Find the effective count

Fabric count ÷ threads stitched over = stitches per inch. Aida uses one stitch per square. For example, 28-count linen over two gives 14 stitches per inch.

2. Size the design

Divide the chart's width and height in stitches by that effective count.

3. Add the border

Add twice the per-side border to each design dimension. The border needs to include all the display space and finishing allowance you want.

4. Or work backwards

Subtract twice the border from each fabric dimension, multiply by effective count, then round down to whole stitches.

Cut dimensions are rounded up to two decimal places. The separate shopping suggestion rounds up to a half-inch or whole centimetre. The fit check uses the underlying dimensions, not the shortened display numbers.

Try three worked examples → They show the inputs, arithmetic and expected result. These are illustrative calculations, not customer testimonials or claims of physical testing.

What the numbers cannot know.

• Your actual fabric count may differ from the label, or from one direction to the other.
• Washing and finishing can change fabric dimensions. No shrinkage percentage is added automatically.
• The right border depends on your hoop, hem, frame and finishing method. The default 3 inches per side is an editable example, not a universal rule.
• A rotated fit assumes you can turn the chart 90°. Directional fabric, existing borders and some projects may prevent this.
• A geometric fit does not tell you whether a design's fractional stitches, backstitch or other techniques suit a different fabric.

Sources, checks & corrections.

The fabric-count explanation is informed by DMC's fabric guide and Yarn Tree's count guide (PDF). The site's worked examples are calculated with its own calculator.

Automated checks cover forward and reverse calculations, unit conversions, whole-stitch boundaries, rounding and rotation. Browser checks cover the main controls, saved plans and responsive layouts. These checks are not a substitute for measuring a real piece of fabric.

If a result looks wrong, send a correction with your inputs, expected result and what the calculator showed. Please do not send a purchased chart or personal information that is not needed to describe the issue.

Content and examples reviewed: 22 October 2026.