Aida Fabric Count Explained: 14, 16 or 18 Count?

Fabric count is the number of stitches per inch (2.54 cm) of fabric. It affects how big your finished design will be and how fine the detail looks.

Common counts

• 14 count Aida – 14 stitches per inch. Larger holes that are easy to see, so it's a classic choice for beginners. Usually stitched with 2 strands.
• 16 count Aida – slightly finer, for a more detailed look in a smaller size. Usually 2 strands.
• 18 count Aida – finer still, popular for detailed designs. Usually 1 or 2 strands, depending on how much coverage you like.
• Evenweave and linen (e.g. 28 or 32 count) – usually stitched "over two" threads. So 28 count over two gives the same size as 14 count Aida.

Working out the finished size

Divide the number of stitches by the fabric count. For example, a design 140 stitches wide on 14 count fabric is 10 inches (25.4 cm) wide. On 18 count, the same design is about 7.8 inches (19.8 cm) wide.

Always add a margin for framing. Around 5–8 cm on each side is a good rule of thumb.

Which count is in my kit?

Our kit pages show the fabric, count and finished design size in the Kit details section. Browse our cross stitch kits, or filter by difficulty with our beginner, intermediate and advanced collections.