Bead Count Calculator
Calculate how many beads you need for jewelry strands, with clasp allowance and multi-strand totals.
| Diameter | Common name | Beads per inch | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | Size 11/0 seed bead | ~12.7 | Bead weaving, peyote, Miyuki delicas |
| 3 mm | Size 8/0 seed bead | ~8.5 | Bead weaving, stringing |
| 4 mm | Small round / crystal | ~6.4 | Bracelets, lightweight necklaces |
| 6 mm | Medium round / pearl | ~4.2 | Classic necklaces, bracelets |
| 8 mm | Large round / semiprecious | ~3.2 | Bold necklaces, statement bracelets |
| 10 mm | XL round | ~2.5 | Chunky necklaces, focal strands |
| 12 mm | Chunky / coin | ~2.1 | Statement pieces, knotted strands |
Measuring Strand Length
Standard necklace lengths: choker 14–16", princess 17–19", matinee 20–24", opera 28–36", rope 37"+. Bracelet lengths: 6.5–7.5" for most adults. When measuring, hold the tape measure against your neck or wrist at the spot where you want the piece to sit, then add 0.5–1" for the clasp and finishing.
Spacing Beads
Spacing between beads (from knots, wire guardians, or spacer beads) adds to the effective bead pitch, reducing the total bead count needed. Knotted pearl strands typically use 1–2 mm knots between beads; beaded wire designs may use 0.5–1 mm crimp covers as spacers. Enter your spacer size in the spacing field to account for this.
Buying Extra Beads
Always buy 10–15% more beads than the calculation requires. Beads break, get dropped, or may be culled for quality inconsistencies. Seed beads are sold by weight (grams) — a 2 mm seed bead weighs roughly 0.01 grams, so 200 beads weighs about 2 grams. Larger beads are often sold individually or in packets of set counts. Check the count on the package before purchasing.