{
    "name": "Embroidery Thread Consumption Calculator",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/embroidery-thread-consumption-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/embroidery-thread-consumption-calculator.md",
    "category": "Textile & apparel",
    "description": "Estimate top and bobbin embroidery thread for an order from the design’s stitch count, your thread-per-1,000-stitches factor, wastage and cone length.",
    "summary": "Embroidery thread is estimated from the stitch count: stitches ÷ 1,000 × metres of top thread per 1,000 stitches, plus bobbin thread as a share of the top thread.",
    "also_called": [
        "Embroidery thread calculator"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "stitches",
            "label": "Stitch count per design",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "12000"
        },
        {
            "name": "m_per_1000",
            "label": "Top thread per 1,000 stitches",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "5",
            "unit": "m"
        },
        {
            "name": "bobbin_pct",
            "label": "Bobbin thread as % of top thread",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "33",
            "unit": "%"
        },
        {
            "name": "pieces",
            "label": "Pieces to embroider",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "500"
        },
        {
            "name": "wastage",
            "label": "Wastage allowance",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "10",
            "unit": "%",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "cone_m",
            "label": "Thread per cone",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "5000",
            "unit": "m"
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "top_total",
            "label": "Top thread for the order",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "cones",
            "label": "Top-thread cones",
            "format": "integer"
        },
        {
            "key": "top_per_piece",
            "label": "Top thread per piece",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "bobbin_per_piece",
            "label": "Bobbin thread per piece",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "bobbin_total",
            "label": "Bobbin thread for the order",
            "format": "number"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "Top per piece = Stitches ÷ 1,000 × Factor;  Bobbin = Top × Bobbin%;  Order = Per piece × Pieces × (1 + Wastage%);  Cones = ⌈Top order ÷ Cone length⌉",
        "variables": {
            "Factor": "metres of top thread per 1,000 stitches on your machines",
            "Bobbin%": "bobbin thread as a share of top thread"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "stitches": "12000",
            "m_per_1000": "5",
            "bobbin_pct": "33",
            "pieces": "500",
            "wastage": "10",
            "cone_m": "5000"
        },
        "steps": [
            "Top thread per piece = 12,000 ÷ 1,000 × 5 = 60 m.",
            "Bobbin per piece = 60 × 33% = 19.8 m.",
            "Order top thread = 60 × 500 × 1.1 = 33,000 m.",
            "Cones = 33,000 ÷ 5,000 = 6.6, so 7 cones."
        ],
        "result": "A 12,000-stitch design on 500 pieces needs about 33,000 m of top thread, 7 cones of 5,000 m."
    },
    "interpretation": "Multi-colour designs need the calculation per colour, using each colour’s stitch count, since each colour comes from its own cones.",
    "assumptions": [
        "The thread factor is constant across the design."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "Satin, fill and running stitches use different thread per stitch; a single factor is an average."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "How do I find my thread factor?",
            "answer": "Weigh or measure a cone before and after a known run of stitches and divide the metres used by thousands of stitches."
        },
        {
            "question": "Why is bobbin thread less than top thread?",
            "answer": "Top thread tension pulls the top thread to the back, so more top thread is used per stitch than bobbin thread."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [],
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        {
            "name": "Needle Consumption Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/needle-consumption-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Apparel Packaging Cost Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/apparel-packaging-cost-calculator"
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        {
            "name": "Garment Export FOB Price Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/garment-export-fob-price-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": null,
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}