Aida fabric count explained: which count for your project
Fabric count is how many stitches fit in one inch of cloth. On 14-count Aida, you get 14 crosses per inch; on 16-count, the stitches are smaller and the finished piece shrinks a little. Most counted cross stitch in the UK starts on 14-count because the holes are easy to see without feeling bulky.
This guide is for anyone choosing Aida (or wondering when evenweave makes sense) before they buy fabric by the metre or as a ready-cut piece.
What is Aida fabric?
Aida is a cotton block-weave made for counted cross stitch. The threads are grouped so you get a clear grid of holes — your blunt tapestry needle goes through the hole rather than piercing the cloth. That is why Aida is the fabric most beginners meet first, and why so many kits include it.
You will also see it called Aida cloth. Same idea.
What does Aida fabric count mean?
Count = number of stitchable squares (holes) per inch.
- Lower count → bigger holes, bigger crosses, quicker coverage, bolder look.
- Higher count → finer holes, smaller crosses, more detail in the same space, more patience needed.
Our Zweigart Aida descriptions state this plainly — for example, 14-count has 14 holes per inch (about 5.4 per cm); 16-count has 16 (about 6.4 per cm); 18-count has 18 (about 7 per cm). That is the number you are shopping for when a listing says "14 count Aida".
Aida count comparison
| Count | Feel of the holes | Typical use | Usual stranded cotton* | Usual tapestry needle* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6–8 | Very open | Children, first goes, large motifs | 3+ strands (varies) | Larger sizes (e.g. 18–20) |
| 11 | Easy to see | Beginners, larger stitches, tired eyes | ~3 strands | Size 22 |
| 14 | Balanced | Everyday counted work — the default | 2 strands | Size 24 |
| 16 | Noticeably finer | More detail in a smaller footprint | 2 strands | Size 26 |
| 18 | Fine | Intricate work, small frames | 1–2 strands | Size 28 |
*Starting points used widely in UK stitching; adjust if your design notes say otherwise. For the full needle map (including evenweave), see What size needle for cross stitch?.
We keep 6-, 8-, 11-, 14-, 16- and 18-count Aida (and related Binca) on the fabrics aisle — 14-count is by far the widest choice of colours and cut sizes.
Which count should you buy?
Start with 14-count Aida if you are unsure. It is the count most designs assume, the holes stay readable under ordinary room light, and two strands of stranded cotton usually fill the square cleanly.
Choose 11-count (or lower) when you want stitches that are easier to see, or when you are stitching with a child. The finished piece will be larger for the same number of stitches.
Move to 16-count when you are comfortable on 14 and want a slightly neater, denser look — or when you need the same design to fit a smaller frame.
Save 18-count for when you actively want fine detail and are happy with smaller holes. Good light helps.
If a kit or chart already names a count, stick with that unless you deliberately want to resize the finished piece (see the next section).
How count changes finished size
Finished width (inches) = number of stitches across ÷ fabric count.
Multiply by 2.54 for centimetres.
Example: a design that is 140 stitches wide
| Fabric | Width |
|---|---|
| 11-count | 140 ÷ 11 ≈ 12.7 in (about 32 cm) |
| 14-count | 140 ÷ 14 = 10 in (25.4 cm) |
| 16-count | 140 ÷ 16 = 8.75 in (about 22 cm) |
| 18-count | 140 ÷ 18 ≈ 7.8 in (about 20 cm) |
Same stitches, different cloth — different finished size. Height works the same way. Always add spare fabric around the stitched area for hooping and finishing (see below).
Aida vs evenweave fabric
Evenweave is woven evenly thread-by-thread rather than in Aida's blocky squares. The holes are less "shouty", so counting takes a bit more attention, but many stitchers prefer the smoother look — especially for fractional stitches and neat backstitch outlines.
A useful rule of thumb: stitch over two threads on evenweave, and double the Aida count.
- 28-count evenweave over two ≈ 14-count Aida
- 32-count evenweave over two ≈ 16-count Aida
We stock cotton/modal evenweaves such as Brittney (28-count) and Murano (32-count), plus linen options in the same aisle family. If you are new to counted work, learn the rhythm on Aida first, then try evenweave when you fancy a change — not because you "should".
Colours and cuts (quick notes)
White and antique white / ecru are the everyday backgrounds. Coloured Aida (black, soft pastels, Christmas reds and greens, and so on) is useful when the fabric itself is meant to show as sky, ground, or a dramatic field behind the stitches. Black is gorgeous but harder to see; a bright lamp or a pale cloth on your lap helps.
On Stitcher you will find ready-cut pieces (handy for one project) and metre lengths (better when you want continuous fabric or several pieces from one length). Zweigart metre Aida is typically about 110 cm wide; DMC often sells labelled small and large cuts as well as metres.
How much fabric to buy
Leave a generous margin — at least about 5–8 cm (2–3 in) on every side of the stitched area, more if you will mount or frame traditionally. Running out of cloth halfway across is a miserable way to learn this lesson.
Check orientation before you start: if your piece is rectangular, confirm you have the long side where you need it.
Needles and stranded cotton
Pair fabric count with a blunt tapestry / cross stitch needle so you slip through the holes instead of splitting threads:
- 14-count Aida → size 24 (some stitchers prefer 26)
- 16-count Aida → size 26
- 18-count Aida → size 28
Two strands of stranded cotton are the usual fill on 14- and 16-count; drop to one strand on very fine cloth when the square starts to look overstuffed. Full detail lives on our needle-size guide.
Common questions
Is there a right and wrong side of Aida?
No. Both sides are usable. Pick the face that looks cleaner to you and treat that as the front once you start stitching.
Should I wash Aida before I stitch?
For most framed or hoop-finished pieces, you can stitch on Aida as it comes. If the finished item will be washed often, a gentle pre-wash to relax any sizing can help. Avoid aggressive heat that might distort the grid.
Can I change the count from what a design suggests?
Yes — but recalculate the finished size (stitches ÷ new count) and buy enough fabric for the new dimensions plus margin. The look of the stitches will change too: higher count looks finer; lower count looks bolder.
What is the difference between Aida cloth and Aida fabric?
None in practice. "Aida cloth" and "Aida fabric" are the same product family.
What to buy next
Browse in-stock fabric and filter by what you need:
- All cross stitch fabrics — Aida, evenweave, linen and related cloth in one aisle
- Aida fabric — the Aida-only view
- 14-count fabric — the everyday count
- 16-count fabric — a step finer
- Evenweave fabric — when you are ready to stitch over two
Related reading on Stitcher: