Aida Cloth Count Explained: 11, 14, 16 and 18 Count

Aida is the fabric most cross stitch is worked on: a cotton cloth woven into a grid of small squares with a hole at each corner. Each cross goes over one square. The count tells you how many squares fit in one inch, and it is the one number that decides how big your finished piece will be.

What the count means

• 11-count: 11 squares per inch (about 4.3 per cm). Big squares, easy to see.
• 14-count: 14 squares per inch (about 5.5 per cm). The most common choice.
• 16-count: 16 squares per inch (about 6.3 per cm). A little finer.
• 18-count: 18 squares per inch (about 7.1 per cm). Small squares, fine detail.

A higher count means smaller squares, so the same pattern comes out smaller.

The same pattern on four counts

The finished size is simply the number of stitches divided by the count. For a pattern 120 stitches wide, like our Starry Night:

Aida count	120 stitches wide	35 stitches wide
11-count	10.9 in (27.7 cm)	3.2 in (8.1 cm)
14-count	8.6 in (21.8 cm)	2.5 in (6.4 cm)
16-count	7.5 in (19.1 cm)	2.2 in (5.6 cm)
18-count	6.7 in (16.9 cm)	1.9 in (4.9 cm)

The 35-stitch column is the size of most small motifs, such as the Halloween and Christmas patterns. Every pattern page on this site lists its finished size on 14, 16 and 18-count.

Note that a higher count does not make a pattern quicker to stitch. The number of stitches stays the same; they are just smaller.

Which count should you choose?

• Beginners: 14-count. The holes are easy to find, 2 strands of floss cover it well, and almost every pattern assumes it.
• Kids, or anyone who finds small holes tiring: 11-count. The design comes out bigger, so check it still fits your frame.
• Detailed or large patterns you want smaller: 16 or 18-count. A 120-stitch painting fits a smaller frame on 18-count. It is harder on the eyes, so stitch in good light.
• Dark fabric: stay at 14 or lower. Holes in black Aida are hard to see; see how to cross stitch on black Aida.

The count also decides how many strands of floss to use: 3 on 11-count, 2 on 14 and 16, and 1 or 2 on 18. Our guide to how many strands to use has the full table.

How much fabric to buy

Add a margin around the design for the hoop and for framing. The usual margin is 3 inches (8 cm) on every side:

1. Divide the stitch width and height by the count to get the design size.
2. Add 6 inches to each, for 3 inches on both sides.

For a pattern of 120 × 95 stitches on 14-count: the design is 8.6 × 6.8 inches, so cut the fabric at about 14.6 × 12.8 inches. The cross stitch calculator does this for you, in inches or centimeters, along with the skeins of floss.

What about evenweave and linen?

Evenweave and linen have finer threads and no obvious squares. They are usually stitched "over two": each cross covers two threads each way. That halves the count, so 28-count evenweave over two gives 14 stitches per inch, the same size as 14-count Aida. They give a smoother, more traditional look, but counting is harder, so most people start on Aida.

Colors of Aida

White, antique white and cream are the classic choices and suit almost every pattern. For full-coverage pieces like the paintings, where every square is stitched, the color barely shows. For small motifs it is part of the design: try light blue for a snowman, orange or black for Halloween, or a soft grey for white designs.

Ready to start? Pick a fabric and one of the free patterns, or turn your own photo into a pattern with the pattern creator.