Blank grid to print

This blank cross stitch graph paper downloads free as a PDF, ready to fill in: choose the paper size (A4, A3 or Letter), squares from 3 to 8 mm and bold lines every 10 squares. With 5 mm squares on A4, you get 38 × 53 squares to draw your design in pencil.

Print blank graph paper in 4 steps

1. Choose the paper size : A4, A3 or Letter (US), portrait or landscape.
2. Set the square size, from 3 to 8 mm, and the page margin. The number of squares appears next to the settings.
3. Keep the gridlines : a bold line every 10 squares, numbered 10, 20, 30… as on printed patterns.
4. Download the PDF and print it at 100% (“actual size”).

What square size should you choose?

It all depends on what the grid is for. 5 mm squares leave room to write a symbol or color neatly in pencil; at 3 to 4 mm, a large design fits on a single page; at 6 or 8 mm, the grid suits beginners, children and anyone who prefers comfortable reading.

These numbers allow for a 12 mm band at the top of the page, kept for the title and numbering. With 5 mm squares on A4, you get 38 squares wide by 53 high.

Drawing your design on the grid

One grid square equals one stitch. To go from an idea to a clean chart:

1. First trace the outline of the design in light pencil, following the squares rather than free curves.
2. Fill in the squares color by color, with colored pencils or one symbol per thread.
3. Write the key in the margin: the symbol, the floss number (DMC 310, 321…) and the number of strands.
4. Mark the center of the design with an arrow on each edge: that’s where you start stitching.

To know the finished size of your drawing, count its squares and use the size and fabric to cut tool: a design 38 squares wide measures 2.7 inches (6.9 cm) on 14-count Aida.

Printing the grid properly

Print at 100% (“actual size”) to keep the exact square size: some printers’ “fit to page” option shrinks it slightly. The PDF is black and gray, readable on any printer, and can be reprinted as often as needed.

For a very large design, print several pages and join them, using the numbered gridlines to line up the edges.

Paper grid or on-screen grid?

Paper is still perfect for finding an idea away from the screen. Once the design takes shape, the studio saves you copying everything out: you draw right there with your threads, then download the pattern.

Our take

A blank grid is the best tool for starting to design your own patterns: a pencil, an eraser, and you see right away whether the drawing fits the squares. We offer it free, as a vector PDF that stays sharp at every size, because that’s often where a personal embroidery begins.

To go further than this tool: the free cross stitch software stixiva draws, converts and prints your charts, online or on Windows, and its Stitch mode tracks your stitches as you work.