Why You Need Thread Conversions
Embroidery patterns specify colors by brand number — usually DMC, the most popular brand worldwide. But you might prefer Anchor (popular in Europe), Cosmo (a Japanese brand), or another brand. Maybe your local shop doesn't carry DMC, or a specific DMC color is out of stock.
Thread conversion charts map equivalent colors across brands so you can substitute without guessing. The key word is equivalent, not identical — different brands use different dye processes, so colors are close matches rather than perfect duplicates.
DMC, Anchor, and Cosmo Compared
DMC is the global standard with 500 numbered colors. Their numbering system has no logical order — DMC 310 is black, DMC 321 is red, and DMC 3865 is white. You simply have to look them up.
Anchor has about 450 colors with a similarly arbitrary numbering system. Their colors tend to be very slightly different in saturation from DMC equivalents.
Cosmo is a Japanese brand with excellent color saturation and a silkier feel. They're gaining popularity worldwide. Their color range includes some shades that have no close DMC equivalent.
For most patterns, conversions between brands are close enough that the finished piece looks identical. For very color-critical work (like realistic portraits), compare threads in person.
How to Use Our Converter
Our Thread Converter offers three modes:
Search mode lets you type any thread number or color name and instantly see equivalents across all three brands. Search works with DMC numbers, Anchor numbers, Cosmo numbers, and color names like 'red' or 'forest green.'
Palette mode lets you build a shopping list. Click the + button next to any search result to add it to your palette. The palette shows all selected colors with every brand's number, ready to copy or print.
Bulk mode handles entire pattern shopping lists. Paste a comma-separated list of DMC numbers and get all conversions at once in a printable table. This is the fastest way to convert a pattern from one brand to another.
Tips for Color Matching
When converting thread colors, keep these tips in mind:
Always compare threads in natural daylight, not under fluorescent or LED lights. Different lighting can dramatically change how colors appear.
For large areas of a single color, buy one skein and stitch a small sample before buying the rest. What looks right on a color card might look different when stitched.
If a conversion is marked as an approximate match, consider buying two adjacent shades and testing both. The 'wrong' shade on a chart might actually be the better visual match for your specific project.
Our converter currently includes 80 of the most popular colors, with more being added regularly. If you can't find a specific number, check back soon or contact us with the colors you need most.