How the cross stitch floss calculator estimates skeins
Every full cross stitch uses thread on the front (two diagonals across the square) and on the back (the short trip to the next stitch). Measured in square widths, two diagonals are 2 × √2 ≈ 2.83, and the back adds roughly 2 more, so one cross uses about 4.83 times the width of one square for each strand in the needle. The width of a square is one inch divided by the stitches per inch of your fabric.
thread per color (m) = stitches × square width (m) × (2√2 + 2) × strands × (1 + waste%)
skeins = thread ÷ (skein length × 6 strands)
A standard skein is 8 meters of six-strand cotton, which you separate and use one, two or three strands at a time, so each skein gives 48 meters of single strand. The calculator rounds up to whole skeins for buying, and shows the exact fraction so you can see whether a color is close to needing one more.
All three inputs of the estimate can be changed. If you stitch with a loose tension, use long tails or carry thread between areas, raise the waste allowance. If your thread comes in a different length, change the skein length. These are estimates, not guarantees: buy an extra skein of the main background color for a big project, because dye lots can differ.
Stitches per skein by fabric and strands
This table uses the default estimate (factor 4.83, 15% waste, 8 m skeins). The highlighted value in each row is the usual strand count for that fabric.
| Fabric | 1 strand | 2 strands | 3 strands |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 3,743 | 1,871 | 1,247 |
| 14-count Aida | 4,764 | 2,382 | 1,588 |
| 16-count Aida | 5,445 | 2,722 | 1,815 |
| 18-count Aida | 6,125 | 3,062 | 2,041 |
| 25-count evenweave (over 2) | 4,254 | 2,127 | 1,418 |
| 28-count evenweave (over 2) | 4,764 | 2,382 | 1,588 |
| 32-count linen (over 2) | 5,445 | 2,722 | 1,815 |
| 36-count linen (over 2) | 6,125 | 3,062 | 2,041 |
Using the list from the pattern maker
The pattern maker lists every color with its stitch count and a skein estimate. Click "How many skeins?" under the legend and this page opens with the list, fabric and strands already filled in. You can also click "Copy floss list" there and paste it into the box above. The calculator reads one color per line and takes the number before the word "stitches", or the last number on the line, as the stitch count.
Typing your own list is just as easy: "310 1200", "Black: 1,200" and "1200" all work. Lines without a number are skipped, and the results tell you how many were skipped so nothing goes missing silently.
Tips for buying thread
- Buy the background color all at once. Different dye lots can be visibly different in a large area.
- Check what you already own. Delete those lines, or subtract what is left on your bobbins before you shop.
- Colors on screen are approximate. Compare real threads in daylight if the exact shade matters.
- Keep a spare. For colors close to a whole number of skeins, one extra costs little and saves a trip.
Planning the whole project? Use the size calculator to work out fabric, and the time calculator to see how many evenings the piece will take.
Example results
Small sampler
2,400 stitches of black, 950 red and 4,100 white on 14-count with two strands: 2 + 1 + 2 = 5 skeins to buy with the default estimate, about 3.1 skeins of thread actually used.
Big background
20,000 stitches of one color on 14-count with two strands: 9 skeins.
Fine linen
The same 20,000 stitches on 36-count linen over two (18 per inch) with one strand: 4 skeins.