Cross Stitch Floss Calculator
Work out how many skeins of DMC floss you need for one color from its stitch count, your fabric and the number of strands you stitch with.
How the cross stitch floss calculator works
A DMC stranded cotton skein is 8 m of 6 strands twisted together. With 2 strands, that's three 8 m lengths to stitch with. One full cross on 14-count Aida uses two diagonals on the front plus about two square sides of travel on the back: around 0.9 cm of thread. The calculator adds 35% for starting and finishing each length, then divides.
| Fabric | Strands | Full stitches per skein (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 11-count Aida | 3 | 1,050 |
| 14-count Aida | 2 | 2,000 |
| 16-count Aida | 2 | 2,300 |
| 18-count Aida | 2 | 2,600 |
| 18-count Aida | 1 | 5,200 |
How you stitch changes the real number. Carrying thread across the back between areas, or using the loop start, moves it up or down by a few hundred stitches. If a color is close to a skein boundary, buy the extra one: dye lots differ, and a skein bought later may not match.
Get stitch counts from a photo
If you don't have counts per color yet, make the pattern with the photo to cross stitch pattern converter. Its floss list already shows stitches and skeins for each DMC color.
FAQ
How many stitches does one skein of DMC floss make?
With 2 strands on 14-count Aida, one 8 m skein gives roughly 2,000 full cross stitches, allowing for waste. On 18-count it's about 2,600; with 3 strands on 11-count it's closer to 1,050.
How long should I cut my floss?
About 45–50 cm (18 inches). Longer pieces tangle and fray before you reach the end.
Do half stitches use half the thread?
A little more than half, because you still travel on the back. Choose half stitch in the calculator to account for it.