Cross Stitch Hoop Size Calculator

Enter your design size in stitches and your fabric. The calculator finds the smallest round hoop that shows the whole design, the fabric to cut for a hoop finish, and the smallest Q-Snap style frame that holds it while you stitch. Free, no sign-up.

A 80 × 60 stitch design on 14-count Aida is 5.7 × 4.3 in (14.5 × 10.9 cm) with a 7.1 in diagonal. The smallest hoop that holds it with 0.5 in of space is 9 in; cut 13 × 13 in of fabric to finish it in that hoop.

Smallest hoop: 9 in22.9 cm diameter
Fabric for hoop finish: 13 × 13 in33.0 × 33.0 cm
Smallest Q-Snap frame: 8 × 8 inholds the whole design
Design diagonal: 7.1 in18.1 cm

The design fits a round hoop when its corner-to-corner diagonal, plus the space you chose on each side, is no bigger than the hoop.

Largest design for each hoop size

The table gives the largest square design that fits each hoop on 14-count Aida with 0.5 in of space, and the fabric square to cut for a hoop finish.

Hoop	Largest square design	Fabric for hoop finish
3 in (7.6 cm)	19 × 19 stitches	7 × 7 in
4 in (10.2 cm)	29 × 29 stitches	8 × 8 in
5 in (12.7 cm)	39 × 39 stitches	9 × 9 in
6 in (15.2 cm)	49 × 49 stitches	10 × 10 in
7 in (17.8 cm)	59 × 59 stitches	11 × 11 in
8 in (20.3 cm)	69 × 69 stitches	12 × 12 in
9 in (22.9 cm)	79 × 79 stitches	13 × 13 in
10 in (25.4 cm)	89 × 89 stitches	14 × 14 in
12 in (30.5 cm)	108 × 108 stitches	16 × 16 in
14 in (35.6 cm)	128 × 128 stitches	18 × 18 in

What is a hoop size calculator?

A cross stitch hoop size calculator is a planning tool that finds the smallest embroidery hoop or frame that holds a whole design, from its stitch count and fabric count. It also gives the fabric needed to finish the piece inside the hoop.

How do you choose a hoop size for cross stitch?

Work out the design size in inches: stitches ÷ stitches per inch.
Find the diagonal: √(width² + height²). A rectangle fits inside a circle only if its diagonal fits.
Add the space you want between the design and the hoop on both sides.
Pick the first hoop at least that size. For a frame, add the space to each side and pick a frame that holds both measurements.

Hoop size formula and worked example

hoop ≥ √(width² + height²) + 2 × space
fabric for hoop finish = hoop + 2 × wrap

Worked example: 80 × 60 stitches on 14-count Aida is 5.7 × 4.3 in. The diagonal is √(5.7² + 4.3²) = 7.1 in. With 0.5 in of space on each side the hoop must be at least 8.1 in, so the smallest whole-inch hoop is 9 in, and the fabric for a hoop finish is 9 + 4 = 13 in square.

Display hoop or working hoop?

This calculator sizes a hoop that shows the whole design, for finishing and hanging in the hoop. A hoop used only while stitching can be smaller and moved around the fabric. Maggie Frames suggests a working hoop 1 to 2 in larger than the design’s longest side, and going up a size when in doubt, because a hoop that is too small can distort stitches near the edge.

What if the design is too big for any hoop?

Use a square or rectangular frame such as a Q-Snap, or a scroll frame, which holds long designs without clamping over finished stitches. The calculator lists the smallest standard Q-Snap size that holds the whole design.

Which Q-Snap sizes are there?

Q-Snap frames are sold in 6 × 6, 8 × 8, 11 × 11, 11 × 17 and 17 × 17 in sizes, and an extension kit turns an 11 in frame into 14 × 14 in. These are nominal sizes; measure the opening of your own frame if the fit is tight.

How much fabric do you need to finish a cross stitch in a hoop?

Cut a square at least the hoop diameter plus enough on every side to pull the fabric taut and gather or glue it behind the hoop. The calculator uses 2 in per side by default; the extra fabric guide covers other finishes.

Sources: Maggie Frames, what size embroidery hoop do I need; 123Stitch, Q-Snap frame listings (6 × 6, 8 × 8, 11 × 17, 17 × 17 in); NIST unit conversion (1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly). Every formula and default is explained on the methodology page.

Published by Cross Stitch Calculator; maintained by Fahad Shoaib. Method version 1.1. Last updated November 14, 2026. Found a wrong number? Tell us.