Embroidery hoop sizes: what fits in a 4×4, 5×7, 6×10 and 8×8 hoop
The real stitch field of the common hoop sizes, typical design sizes for chests, caps and backs, and how to pick the right file for your hoop.
A hoop's name is its stitch field: the largest area the machine can reach while the fabric is hooped. The plastic frame is bigger than that. A design has to fit inside the field, so the field is the number to check against a design's size.
The common hoop sizes
| Hoop | Stitch field | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 4 × 4 in | 100 × 100 mm | Left-chest logos, small patches, sleeves, kids' clothes |
| 5 × 7 in | 130 × 180 mm | Chest pieces, tote bags, medium patches |
| 6 × 10 in | 160 × 260 mm | Wide or tall designs, hoodie fronts |
| 8 × 8 in | 200 × 200 mm | Square designs, hoodie and sweatshirt fronts |
| 8 × 12 in | 200 × 300 mm | Jacket backs, large fronts |
These are the usual fields on Brother and Baby Lock machines, and most home brands are close. Janome names its hoops by field instead: SQ14 is 140 × 140 mm, RE20 is 170 × 200 mm, SQ20 is 200 × 200 mm and RE28 is 200 × 280 mm. Always check your own machine's manual, because the same name can mean a slightly different field on another brand.
Commercial multi-needle machines use round tubular hoops, square frames and cap frames. A round hoop's usable field is smaller than its diameter, and the machine's maximum field sets the limit for big frames.
Turning a design 90°
A wide design can often be turned on its side to fit a long hoop. A 226 × 153 mm design doesn't fit a 160 × 260 mm field as it is, but turned 90° it does: 153 is under 160, and 226 is under 260. Most machines rotate a design on screen. Our design pages say "turned 90°" where a size needs it.
Typical design sizes
These are common starting points, not rules:
- Left chest: 75–100 mm wide (3–4 in).
- Cap front: about 50–60 mm tall and up to about 110–125 mm wide, depending on the cap and frame.
- Full front of a T-shirt or hoodie: 200–280 mm wide.
- Jacket back: 250–330 mm wide, if your machine and frame can reach it.
Pick the file, not the scale
If a design is too big for your hoop, use a smaller size file rather than shrinking it on the machine. Scaling changes density: the same number of stitches packed into a smaller area makes a stiff, bulletproof patch and breaks needles. Every Stitchify design that comes in several sizes has a separate file per size, each digitized at that size, with the matching hoop listed beside it.
Need a size we don't list? Your first custom design is free, and after that each one is $10 at any size.