Cross Stitch Fabric Counts Explained
The count is the number of squares, and so stitches, in one inch of Aida. A higher count means smaller squares, smaller stitches and a smaller finished design. It also decides how many strands and which needle to use.
Last reviewed September 15, 2026 · How these figures are calculated
Aida count chart
| Count | Per inch | Per cm | Square | Strands | Needle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count | 11 | 4.3 | 2.3 mm | 3 | Size 22 |
| 14-count | 14 | 5.5 | 1.8 mm | 2 | Size 24 |
| 16-count | 16 | 6.3 | 1.6 mm | 2 | Size 24–26 |
| 18-count | 18 | 7.1 | 1.4 mm | 1–2 | Size 26 |
| 28 evenweave | 14 (over 2) | 5.5 | 1.8 mm | 2 | Size 26–28 |
Which Aida count is bigger?
Lower counts have bigger squares and bigger holes. The same 100-stitch line measures:
11-count
9.1"
23.1 cm
14-count
7.1"
18.1 cm
16-count
6.3"
15.9 cm
18-count
5.6"
14.1 cm
To resize a design between counts, multiply its size by the old count divided by the new count. The Aida cloth calculator has a full conversion table.
How to tell what count your Aida is
Place a ruler along one row of squares and count how many fall within one inch. If the edge of the inch lands mid-square, count across 2 or 3 inches and divide.
With a metric ruler, count across 10 cm: about 43 squares is 11-count, 55 is 14-count, 63 is 16-count and 71 is 18-count. European labels round these to 44, 54, 64 and 70 per 10 cm, or 4.4, 5.4, 6.4 and 7.0 per cm.
Choosing a count
- 11-count: large, bold designs and children.
- 14-count: most kits and printed patterns.
- 16-count: finer detail with a smaller finish.
- 18-count: small, detailed pieces.
- 28-count evenweave: heirloom samplers and linen-look pieces.
Very low counts such as 6 and 8-count are made for children's projects. Evenweave and linen are counted by threads and usually stitched over two, so 32-count linen gives 16 stitches per inch.
What changes when you change count
Switching count changes four things at once, and only the first is obvious. Take a 150 × 150 stitch pattern:
| Count | Finished size | Fabric with 2" border | Strands | Relative thread use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count | 13.6" (35 cm) | 17.6" square | 3 | 191% |
| 14-count | 10.7" (27 cm) | 14.7" square | 2 | 100% |
| 16-count | 9.4" (24 cm) | 13.4" square | 2 | 88% |
| 18-count | 8.3" (21 cm) | 12.3" square | 1–2 | 39% |
Thread use is shown against 14-count at 2 strands. It moves in the opposite direction to what people expect: 11-count needs the most floss, because each stitch is longer and usually takes three strands instead of two. Moving a project from 14 to 11-count to make it easier on the eyes can mean buying half as much floss again.
See your design size on any count:
Fabric count
14-count Aida · used by most kits and patterns
Units
Enter the stitch width and height to see the fabric size