liminfoCross Stitch Calculator
Free web tool: Cross Stitch Calculator
Stitch Calculator
Calculate stitches and rows from your gauge, plus shaping calculations for increases and decreases.
Gauge
Desired Dimensions
Shaping Calculator
About Cross Stitch Calculator
The Knitting Stitch Calculator helps knitters convert their gauge swatch measurements into actionable stitch and row counts for any desired finished dimensions. Enter your gauge (stitches per inch or per cm, and rows per inch or per cm) along with your desired width and height, and the tool instantly calculates how many stitches to cast on and how many rows to knit. This eliminates the manual arithmetic that is a common source of errors when adapting patterns to different yarn weights or needle sizes.
In addition to basic gauge calculation, the tool includes a dedicated Shaping Calculator for increases and decreases — the mathematical distribution needed when shaping a piece like a sleeve taper, waistband, or neckline. Enter the starting stitch count, the ending stitch count, and the total number of rows over which the shaping occurs, and the tool calculates how often to increase or decrease one stitch (every N rows) and how many extra rows remain after the evenly distributed changes.
The tool supports both imperial (inches) and metric (centimeters) measurement systems, switchable with a single button. All calculations run client-side in the browser, making them instant and private. The interface uses card-based sections for gauge, dimensions, results, and shaping to keep the workflow organized for both beginner and experienced knitters.
Key Features
- Calculates cast-on stitch count from gauge and desired width
- Calculates total row count from gauge and desired height
- Supports both inches and centimeters — toggle between systems
- Dedicated shaping calculator for increases and decreases
- Shaping result shows frequency (every N rows) and remainder rows
- Color-coded shaping output: green for increases, red for decreases
- 100% client-side — no data is uploaded or stored
- Responsive design with dark mode, works on any device
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gauge and why do I need to measure it?
Gauge is the number of stitches and rows you get per unit of length (inch or cm) with a specific yarn and needle combination. Since different yarns and needles produce different stitch sizes, measuring your actual gauge with a swatch before starting a project is essential to achieve the correct finished dimensions. Even a small gauge difference multiplied across many stitches can produce a garment that is significantly too large or too small.
How do I measure my gauge swatch?
Knit a swatch of at least 15 cm × 15 cm (6 in × 6 in) using your project yarn and needles. After binding off, wash and block the swatch the same way you plan to care for the finished item. Then count the number of stitches and rows within a 10 cm (4 in) area. Divide by 10 (or 4) to get your stitches per cm (or per inch).
How does the cast-on stitch calculator work?
The formula is: Cast-on stitches = round(stitch gauge × desired width). For example, if your gauge is 5 stitches per inch and you want a 20-inch wide piece, you need 5 × 20 = 100 stitches. The calculator rounds to the nearest whole stitch.
How does the row calculator work?
The formula is: Total rows = round(row gauge × desired height). For example, with a row gauge of 7 rows per inch and a desired height of 12 inches, you need 7 × 12 = 84 rows.
How does the shaping calculator work?
For shaping a piece from a start stitch count to an end stitch count over a set number of rows: the calculator divides the total number of stitch changes (|end − start|) into the available rows to find the interval between changes. For example, decreasing from 100 to 80 stitches over 40 rows requires 20 decreases; 40 ÷ 20 = decrease 1 stitch every 2 rows.
What does the remainder in the shaping result mean?
If the total rows cannot be evenly divided by the number of stitch changes, there will be some leftover rows. For example, decreasing 20 stitches over 42 rows: every 2 rows with 2 extra rows remaining. These extra rows are typically worked plain (no shaping) at the beginning or end of the shaping section.
Can I use this calculator for crochet as well?
Yes. The principles of gauge, stitch count, and row count apply equally to crochet. Enter your crochet gauge (stitches per inch/cm and rows per inch/cm) the same way, and the calculated stitch and row counts will work for crochet projects as well.
What if my calculated stitch count needs to be a multiple of a pattern repeat?
The calculator gives you the mathematically exact stitch count. If your stitch pattern requires a specific multiple (for example, a 4-stitch rib requires a multiple of 4), round the calculated number up or down to the nearest multiple. For example, if you get 98 stitches and need a multiple of 4, use 96 or 100 stitches.