Embroidery Hoop Sizes for Cross Stitch
Enter your design in stitches, or the fabric you already have, to find the hoop that fits and whether the whole design sits inside the ring. The hoop size chart works the other way: pick a hoop to see how much fabric to cut.
Last reviewed September 15, 2026 · How these figures are calculated
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Enter your design size in stitches
Hoop size chart
| Hoop | Cut fabric at least | Design fits inside | Stitches across (14-count) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4" | 7 × 7 in | up to 3 in | about 42 |
| 5" | 8 × 8 in | up to 4 in | about 56 |
| 6" | 9 × 9 in | up to 5 in | about 70 |
| 7" | 10 × 10 in | up to 6 in | about 84 |
| 8" | 11 × 11 in | up to 7 in | about 98 |
| 10" | 13 × 13 in | up to 9 in | about 126 |
| 12" | 15 × 15 in | up to 11 in | about 154 |
| 14" | 17 × 17 in | up to 13 in | about 182 |
How to choose a hoop size
Two measurements matter. The hoop should be about 1 inch wider than the design so the whole design sits inside the ring without re-hooping. The fabric should reach about 1.5 inches beyond the ring on every side so the hoop can grip it.
A 150 × 150 stitch pattern on 14-count Aida is 10.7 inches across, so a 12-inch hoop holds it and the fabric needs to be at least 15 × 15 inches. Get the design size from the fabric calculator. If the design is larger than your hoop, stitching in sections works; take the fabric out of the hoop between sessions.
Hoops, Q-snaps and scroll frames
Round hoops are inexpensive and easy to hold. Wooden hoops with a screw can be tightened evenly; plastic hoops with a lip grip slippery fabric well. 6 and 8-inch hoops are the most common sizes for small projects.
Oval hoops fit long, narrow designs that would leave empty space in a round ring.
Q-snap and scroll frames hold fabric by the edges or on clamps, so they do not crush stitches the way a hoop ring can. They suit designs wider than about 12 inches and full-coverage pieces.
Avoiding hoop marks
Take the fabric out of the hoop at the end of each session. Wrapping the inner ring with cotton twill tape spreads the pressure, and a light press from the back removes most rings. For display, the framing guide covers finishing in a hoop.