Cross Stitch Floss Calculator
The floss calculator estimates how many skeins to buy for your project. Built around DMC skein lengths but also handles Anchor and generic brands. Enter your stitch count, pick your brand, and see what to buy.
Enter your stitch count to see thread estimates
What is the difference between floss and thread?
In cross stitch, floss and thread mean the same thing. Both refer to stranded cotton — the six-strand cord that comes in small skeins. DMC stranded cotton is the most widely used brand. When someone says floss, they almost always mean this kind of thread. The thread calculator and this floss calculator use identical formulas — the difference is in how the inputs are labelled and the brand-specific skein lengths.
How many skeins do I need?
For a 100×100 stitch design using 2 strands across 6 colors: total thread = 10,000 × 2.5 × 2 = 50,000 inches. Per color = 50,000 ÷ 6 = 8,333 inches. DMC skeins needed per color = 8,333 ÷ 288 = 28.9, rounded up to 29 skeins. With 15% buffer: 34 skeins per color.
| Design size | Stitches | 2 strands total thread | DMC skeins (6 colors) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50×50 | 2,500 | 12,500" | ~1/color |
| 100×100 | 10,000 | 50,000" | ~3/color |
| 150×150 | 22,500 | 112,500" | ~7/color |
| 200×200 | 40,000 | 200,000" | ~12/color |
Frequently asked questions
It depends on your stitch count, not the count of the fabric. On 14-count Aida, a 100×100 stitch design has 10,000 stitches. At 2 strands, that is 50,000 inches of thread across all colors. Divided by 6 colors and 288 inches per DMC skein, you need about 29 skeins per color before adding a waste buffer.
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