Embroidery lettering size calculator

Type a name or slogan, pick a font and where it goes, and see how tall the letters come out at that width, with a clear answer on whether they'll sew cleanly and what to change if not.

Your textUp to three linesFont

Where it goes (sets the width)

89 mm wide · preview, not to scale

Capital letter height

–

Type some text

Too small to sew cleanly

Make it at least 0 mm wide, shorten the text, split it over two lines, or pick a bolder font.

Make this lettering file

Opens the lettering tool with your text and font

How it works

Letter height from width, per font

Fits the width
Your text is scaled to the placement width, the way you'd size it on a garment.
Real fonts
The 12 lettering fonts from the text tool, measured in your browser.
Minimum per font
Each font has its own smallest readable height, from 5 mm to 12 mm.
Clear verdict
Readable or too small, with the width you'd need to fix it.
Placements
Left chest, chest name, cap front, back of neck, sleeve, towel or custom.
Up to three lines
Stacking text gives each line more height.

Tips

Making small text work

Split long names over two lines instead of shrinking them.
Pick a bold sans or condensed font for small sizes; save scripts for 10 mm and up.
Avoid thin serifs and outlines below about 8 mm.
On caps and towels, add a few millimeters: curves and pile swallow detail.

Free account

Create a free account to digitize any image, try every setting and watch it sew. Choose a plan only when you want to download files.

Digitize and preview any image
Realistic stitch preview and sew-out
Download free ready-made designs
No credit card needed

FAQ

Questions

The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. With a free account, digitizing and previewing cost nothing and take about a minute.

What is the smallest text you can embroider?

About 5 mm (0.2 in) capital height for bold sans fonts, 6–8 mm for serifs and condensed fonts, and 10–12 mm for scripts. Below that, satin columns get too narrow and letters fill in.

How big should a name be on a left chest?

The design is usually 3–4 in wide. A short name in a bold font comes out around 10–15 mm tall at that width; a long name or two lines comes out smaller, so check it here before stitching.

Why does the font change the letter height?

Wide fonts take more width per letter, so at a fixed width their letters are shorter. Condensed fonts fit more letters, which keeps them taller.

How is the height measured?

From the font's capital H at the width you choose, using the same lettering fonts as the text tool. Real stitched letters can look slightly bolder because of pull compensation.

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