How to Use the Cross-Stitch Project Price Calculator (Simple Guide for Everyone)

If you sell handmade embroidery, pricing shouldn’t be a mystery. This free tool is a cross stitch price calculator that combines materials, time, extras, overheads, fees, profit margin, and tax into one fair final price. Perfect for beginners and pros, for Etsy or your own shop.

1) Materials — what to enter

Fabric price – the price you paid for the fabric (per meter/piece).
Threads (price per skein) and Threads — quantity – your real cost and how many skeins you’ll use.
Finishing / Frame (optional) – hoops, frames, backing, trim.
Other materials – needles, markers, printing, any extras.

Tip: Always enter your actual cost (after discounts). That’s honest, transparent handmade pricing.

2) Time — the most important factor

You can use either Hours worked or let the calculator estimate from stitches.

Option A — You know your hours

Enter Hours worked and your Hourly rate (e.g., $18–$25). The tool multiplies them.

Option B — You don’t know the hours (use stitches)

Open “Estimate from stitches.”
Enter:

Total stitches in the project;

Average speed (stitches/hour) — how many stitches you usually make in an hour.
Click Estimate hours and the calculator fills the time for you.

“How many stitches per hour?” realistic ranges

These are helpful starting points (actual speed varies by fabric count, lighting, single stitches, backstitch, beads, dark fabric, etc.):

Beginner: 80–150 stitches/hour

Intermediate: 150–300 stitches/hour

Advanced / fast stitcher: 300–500+ stitches/hour

Want the most accurate number? Sit down for one hour in your normal rhythm and count your stitches. That personal “stitches per hour” will make your embroidery pricing spot on.

3) Overheads (fixed business costs)

Enter Overheads (%) (default 15%). This covers electricity, tools, workspace—your real business costs.

4) Extras (optional) — turn on only what applies

All extras have tidy 3D toggles. When OFF, fields are grey and don’t affect price. When ON, they activate.

Amount-based (currency symbol changes with Currency):
Packaging – boxes, tissue, ribbon, labels.
Shipping (include in price) – if you want to build shipping cost into the product price.
Add pattern cost (amount) – what you paid for the cross-stitch pattern.

Percent-based:

Dark fabric
Small count fabric
Many single stitches
Rush order
Extra techniques (beads, ribbon, etc.)

These add a fair percentage before profit and fees, so complex work is valued properly.

5) Platform & Payment Fees

Marketplace fee (%) – e.g., Etsy/marketplace commission.

Payment fee (%) – e.g., PayPal/Stripe processing.

Fixed fee – per order/listing.
These reflect real marketplace fees and payment fees so you don’t lose margin.

6) Profit & Tax

Choose how you earn:

Margin % – set your profit margin (e.g., 50%) and the calculator adds it.
Target amount – enter a specific profit amount you want on top.

Then set Currency (USD $, EUR €, GBP £) and Tax / VAT (%) if applicable.

7) Live Summary & Suggested Range

On the right you’ll see:

Final price (everything included),
a colored cost breakdown (materials, time, overheads, fees, profit, tax),
and a Suggested range (±10%) to match your market.

Use Update totals to refresh, Save project to keep your inputs, Download PDF quote, or Share image for quick client estimates.

Quick checklist (so you never underprice)

Count all materials (even “small stuff”).
Include time properly (use stitches/hour if needed).
Add overheads (that’s real money).
Turn on relevant extras (dark fabric, beads, rush).
Don’t forget marketplace & payment fees.
Choose a healthy profit margin.
Add tax/VAT when required.

Example for Etsy pricing (fast)

Fabric + threads + finishing + other materials.
Estimate hours from stitches (e.g., 8,000 stitches / 200 stitches/hour ≈ 40 hours).
Hourly rate $20 → $800 time.
Overheads 15% + Packaging $2.50.
Fees: Etsy % + payment % + fixed fee.
Profit margin 50% (or set a target amount).
Review final price and suggested range. Done.

Looking for Ready-to-Stitch Designs?

Now that you know how to use this cross stitch price calculator and how to fairly value your handmade embroidery, maybe you’re ready for your next creative project.

In my shop you’ll find:

Unique cross stitch patterns (easy to download and print),
Christmas stocking cross stitch kits with fabric, threads, and instructions included,
Beautiful, modern embroidery designs to make your stitching time joyful and relaxing.

Whether you’re a beginner looking for a simple cross stitch pattern, or an advanced stitcher who wants a detailed Christmas stocking kit, you’ll find something inspiring.

✨ Explore my full collection here → CrossStitchStyleArte — and let your next handmade project bring both beauty and fair value.