Fabric Count Conversion Calculator
Count is threads per inch. Aida groups its threads in fours so one stitch covers one block, but linen and evenweave are normally worked over two threads. Stitching 28-count over two gives an effective 14 stitches per inch, so a 100 × 140 chart finishes 18.1 × 25.4 cm — the same as 14-count aida. The 200% scale means the design is twice the size it would be worked over one thread.
Your numbers
Stitches per inch
14sts/in
Design width
18.1cm
Design height
25.4cm
Scale
200%
Formula
Stitches per inch = Fabric count ÷ Threads per stitch, Design width = Chart stitches across ÷ Stitches per inch × 2.54
Whether a pattern's "28-count" already means an effective 14 differs from designer to designer; a finished size that comes out half or double is almost always this. Working over one thread (petit point) makes tiny stitches that tire the eye, and backstitch lines wander diagonally as the weave pulls them.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric countStitches per inch of fabric; 14-count is the common one. | 28 | 6 ~ 40 |
| Threads per stitchFabric threads each stitch spans — 1 on aida, usually 2 on linen and evenweave. | 2 | 1 ~ 4 |
| Chart stitches across (sts)Chart stitches across. | 100 | 1 and up |
| Chart stitches down (sts)Chart stitches down. | 140 | 1 and up |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Fabric count changes and everything else stays put.
| Fabric count | Stitches per inch (sts/in) | Design width (cm) | Design height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 7 | 36.3 | 50.8 |
| 21 | 10.5 | 24.2 | 33.9 |
| 28 | 14 | 18.1 | 25.4 |
| 40 | 20 | 12.7 | 17.8 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Stitches per inch (sts/in)Stitches actually worked per inch — the count divided by threads per stitch. | 14 |
| Design width (cm)The stitched design across. | 18.1 |
| Design height (cm)The stitched design down. | 25.4 |
| Scale (%)How far to scale a pattern; 100% is the original. | 200 |
Common mistakes
Whether a pattern's "28-count" already means an effective 14 differs from designer to designer; a finished size that comes out half or double is almost always this. Working over one thread (petit point) makes tiny stitches that tire the eye, and backstitch lines wander diagonally as the weave pulls them.
Glossary
- Fabric count
- Stitches per inch of fabric; 14-count is the common one.
- Threads per stitch
- Fabric threads each stitch spans — 1 on aida, usually 2 on linen and evenweave.
- Chart stitches across
- Chart stitches across.
- Chart stitches down
- Chart stitches down.
- Stitches per inch
- Stitches actually worked per inch — the count divided by threads per stitch.
- Design width
- The stitched design across.
- Design height
- The stitched design down.
- Scale
- How far to scale a pattern; 100% is the original.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Fabric Count Conversion Calculator calculated?
Stitches per inch = Fabric count ÷ Threads per stitch, Design width = Chart stitches across ÷ Stitches per inch × 2.54 — Count is threads per inch. Aida groups its threads in fours so one stitch covers one block, but linen and evenweave are normally worked over two threads. Stitching 28-count over two gives an effective 14 stitches per inch, so a 100 × 140 chart finishes 18.1 × 25.4 cm — the same as 14-count aida. The 200% scale means the design is twice the size it would be worked over one thread.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Fabric count 28, Threads per stitch 2, Chart stitches across 100sts, Chart stitches down 140sts, the answer is Stitches per inch 14sts/in.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Fabric count, Threads per stitch, Chart stitches across, Chart stitches down. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only Fabric count moves the answer to Fabric count 14 → Stitches per inch (sts/in) 7 and Fabric count 40 → Stitches per inch (sts/in) 20. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
Whether a pattern's "28-count" already means an effective 14 differs from designer to designer; a finished size that comes out half or double is almost always this. Working over one thread (petit point) makes tiny stitches that tire the eye, and backstitch lines wander diagonally as the weave pulls them.
Related calculators
Materials differ in density and absorption. If your label states a figure, use it — the defaults here are only common values.