Aida Fabric Count Comparison
The "count" of Aida fabric is how many stitches fit per inch. Higher count = smaller stitches = more detail. Here's how they compare for a 100×100 stitch design.
| Count | Stitches/Inch | Strands | 100×100 Design Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-count | 11 | 3 strands | 9.1" × 9.1" | Children, beginners, large designs meant to be viewed from a distance |
| 14-count | 14 | 2 strands | 7.1" × 7.1" | Most stitchers, most patterns — the universal default |
| 16-count | 16 | 2 strands | 6.3" × 6.3" | Intermediate stitchers wanting more detail without going to evenweave |
| 18-count | 18 | 1–2 strands | 5.6" × 5.6" | Detailed portraits, HAED patterns, experienced stitchers |
11-Count Aida
11 stitches per inch — use 3 strands of floss. A 100×100 stitch design finishes at 9.1" × 9.1".
Pros
- + Easiest to see and count
- + Fast to stitch
- + Great for kids
Cons
- − Finished work looks chunky up close
- − Limited detail
- − Uses more thread per design
Best for: Children, beginners, large designs meant to be viewed from a distance
14-Count Aida
14 stitches per inch — use 2 strands of floss. A 100×100 stitch design finishes at 7.1" × 7.1".
Pros
- + Perfect balance of detail and ease
- + Most patterns designed for it
- + Widely available in every color
Cons
- − Can feel too large for very detailed designs
- − Not ideal for tiny ornaments
Best for: Most stitchers, most patterns — the universal default
16-Count Aida
16 stitches per inch — use 2 strands of floss. A 100×100 stitch design finishes at 6.3" × 6.3".
Pros
- + Finer detail than 14-count
- + Still easy to count
- + Smaller finished size for same pattern
Cons
- − Less widely stocked
- − Harder to find in colors
- − Slightly harder on the eyes
Best for: Intermediate stitchers wanting more detail without going to evenweave
18-Count Aida
18 stitches per inch — use 1–2 strands of floss. A 100×100 stitch design finishes at 5.6" × 5.6".
Pros
- + Beautiful fine detail
- + Professional-looking results
- + Compact finished size
Cons
- − Needs good lighting or magnification
- − Slower to stitch
- − Harder to find locally
Best for: Detailed portraits, HAED patterns, experienced stitchers
Which Count Should You Choose?
New to cross-stitch? Start with 14-count. It's the industry standard, every pattern is designed for it, and it's the easiest to find in stores.
Want more detail? Move to 18-count — but invest in a good magnifying lamp first.
Stitching with kids? Use 11-count. The big holes are easy to see and the stitches fill up fast, which keeps motivation high.
Thread coverage matters. Higher count fabric needs fewer strands. Using too many strands on high-count fabric makes stitches bulge; too few on low-count leaves gaps. Use our floss calculator to estimate how much thread you'll need.
Thread colors look slightly different on different fabric colors and counts. Browse our color families or use the color search to find specific DMC threads.