Cross-Stitch Color Converter
Convert thread colors between DMC, Anchor, and Madeira. Search by DMC number, color name, or browse all colors.
| Swatch | DMC | Color Name | Anchor | Madeira |
|---|
DMC vs Anchor: Key Differences
DMC and Anchor are both high-quality 6-strand cotton embroidery floss, but they use completely different numbering systems. The same number in DMC and Anchor refers to entirely different colors. Always use a conversion chart when substituting brands.
Color matching between brands is approximate — dye lots and color formulations differ. For large projects, purchase all thread of the same color at once to ensure consistent dye lots. When substituting, compare physical skeins under natural light rather than relying solely on conversion charts.
Color Matching Tips
When a direct equivalent does not exist, choose the closest match by hue and value (lightness/darkness) rather than exact color. For blended stitches, an imperfect match can sometimes work better visually at a distance than a single-color perfect match up close.
Madeira thread is particularly popular in machine embroidery but works equally well for hand embroidery. Madeira uses a 4-digit code organized by color family (first two digits) and shade (last two digits).