Cross stitch letters
Type a name, date or saying and get a counted chart in a clean stitched alphabet. Pick a DMC colour, set the spacing and print it with the key.
79 × 22 stitches · 5.6 × 1.6 in on 14-count (14.3 × 4.0 cm)
Cross stitch alphabet chart
The full set: A–Z, 0–9 and punctuation. Each capital is 5 × 7 stitches. Print it once and keep it in your project bag.
Tips for neat stitched lettering
- Backstitch or cross stitch? This alphabet is made for full crosses. For very fine script, people often switch to backstitch instead; our backstitch guide shows how.
- Keep top stitches going the same way across every letter, or the words look patchy in raking light.
- Dark on light reads best. DMC 3799 (pewter grey), 310 (black), 336 (navy) and 3371 (black-brown) all give crisp text on white Aida.
- Don’t carry thread between letters more than a few stitches on the back — it shows through light fabric. End off and restart.
Ideas for lettered pieces
- Birth samplers: name, date and weight under a small motif from our free patterns.
- House-warming hoops with a street number and a cottage.
- Bookmarks with an initial on 18-count; one letter is under half an inch tall.
Questions stitchers ask
How tall are the letters?
Each capital is 7 stitches tall and 5 wide (narrow characters like I and punctuation are slimmer). On 14-count Aida that is half an inch tall; the “double size” option makes them 14 stitches, about one inch.
How much space should I leave between letters and words?
One stitch between letters and three between words reads well for this alphabet. Increase letter spacing to 2 for a lighter, airier look.
Can I stitch lowercase letters?
This alphabet is capitals, numbers and common punctuation, which stay legible at small sizes. Typed lowercase is converted to capitals.
How do I centre a name on my fabric?
Find the centre of the fabric by folding it in four. The chart has a bold line every 10 stitches; count half the chart width from the centre to start the first letter.