A blunt point and large eye
A tapestry needle has a blunt point and an eye suitable for tapestry yarn or stranded cotton. In cross-stitch it passes through the fabric’s existing holes instead of deliberately piercing the threads.
Match it to the work
Needle size depends on fabric count, the number of strands and the fabric itself. Within tapestry needles, higher size numbers generally mean finer needles. The needle should carry the thread without forcing an oversized hole or rubbing the thread excessively.
Check your pattern’s recommendation. The cross-stitch calculator includes sourced starting suggestions alongside fabric count and strand information; they are not universal requirements. See fabric count and stitching over two.