FullCalculator

Embroidery Thread & Floss Calculator

Cross-Stitch Floss

Calculate floss needed for a cross-stitch pattern

Hand Embroidery Thread

Estimate thread for embroidery fill areas

Formula

Floss (yards) = Stitch Count × Thread per Stitch × Strands / 36

Frequently Asked Questions

How much floss do I need for cross-stitch?
It depends on stitch count, fabric count, and number of strands. As a rule of thumb, one standard skein (8.7 yards) of 2-strand floss covers about 400-500 cross-stitches on 14-count Aida.
How many strands should I use?
For 14-count Aida: 2 strands for cross-stitch, 1 for backstitch. For 18-count: 1-2 strands. For 11-count: 3 strands. More strands give fuller coverage but use more floss.
How long should I cut my floss?
Cut strands 18-24 inches long. Longer threads are harder to manage and tend to tangle or fray. For metallic threads, use even shorter lengths (12-15 inches).

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