Embroidery thread length estimator
Roughly how much thread will a design use? Enter the stitch count and stitch length for an estimate you can adjust.
Private: this tool runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent anywhere.
How the estimate works
Thread length is roughly the number of stitches times the length of each stitch, plus an allowance. The allowance covers the thread that goes down through the fabric and back up and the extra the machine takes up for tension. The calculator uses 1.3 by default, and you can change it. The bobbin thread is thinner and lies flat, so it uses a smaller share, 40% by default.
Getting the numbers
- Stitch count. The embroidery file viewer shows it for any DST, PES or EXP file.
- Average stitch length. Satin columns and fills are often about 2 to 4 mm per stitch. The viewer works the exact figure out and passes it to this page.
This is an estimate. Real use varies with the fabric, the thread, the tension and the design, so keep a margin when you plan for a big order.
Questions
How accurate is the estimate?
It is meant for planning, not for measuring. Fabric thickness, thread type and tension all change real use, so check the estimate against one real run and adjust the allowance.
Why is the bobbin share lower?
Bobbin thread is thinner and does not wrap around as much as the top thread, so a design typically uses less of it. Forty percent is a rough starting point.
Does this include jumps and trims?
No. It covers stitching only. Jumps and trimmed tails add a little thread but are small compared with the stitches.