Embroidery thread color converter
Enter a thread number or any color and see the closest match in each of 20 thread lines, ranked by color difference. Use it when a design sheet names a brand you do not stock, or when you need a thread number for a logo color.
Find a matching thread
20 thread linesIsacord 40 1902 · Poinsettia
Screen colors are approximate. Confirm with a printed thread card.
| Thread line | Closest color | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Sulky Rayon 40 Rayon | 1181 Rust | Very close · ΔE 0.2 |
| Sulky PolyLite / Poly Deco Polyester | 1181 Rust | Very close · ΔE 0.2 |
| Gunold Poly 40 Polyester | 61039 True Red | Very close · ΔE 0.9 |
| Robison-Anton Polyester Polyester | 5566 Radiant Red | Close · ΔE 2.5 |
| Fil-Tec Glide Polyester | 70485 Jamaica Sun | Close · ΔE 3.7 |
| Marathon Polyester Polyester | 2182 Orange / Red | Close · ΔE 3.7 |
| Hemingworth Polyester Polyester | 1270 Christmas Red | Close · ΔE 3.9 |
| DMC Stranded cotton (hand embroidery) Cotton | 0900 Burnt Orange Dark | Close · ΔE 4.0 |
| Floriani Polyester Polyester | 1051 Singapore Sunset | Close · ΔE 4.7 |
| Robison-Anton Rayon Rayon | 2205 Dark Rust | Approximate · ΔE 5.4 |
| Marathon Rayon Rayon | 1157 Dark Rust | Approximate · ΔE 5.4 |
| ThreadArt Polyester Polyester | 290 Dark Rust | Approximate · ΔE 5.8 |
| Simthread Polyester Polyester | S028 Red | Approximate · ΔE 5.9 |
| Madeira Classic Rayon 40 Rayon | 1146 Saffron | Approximate · ΔE 5.9 |
| Madeira Polyneon 40 Polyester | 1878 Saffron | Approximate · ΔE 6.1 |
| Mettler Poly Sheen Polyester | 1514 Brick | Approximate · ΔE 7.5 |
| Embroidex Polyester Polyester | 2406 Strawberry Delight | Approximate · ΔE 8.1 |
| Brother Embroidery thread Polyester | 800 Red | Approximate · ΔE 8.2 |
| Brother Country thread Polyester | 024 Deep Rose | Approximate · ΔE 9.9 |
How to use the converter
- 01
Pick where you start
Choose the thread line named on your design sheet and type its number, or choose Custom color and enter a hex value.
- 02
Read the closest match
Each thread line shows its nearest color, sorted from the closest. Pick one line to see its five nearest colors instead.
- 03
Check before you buy
Keep like with like: polyester for polyester, rayon for rayon. Confirm the shade with a printed color card.
How the matches are worked out
Swatches use the screen color values in the open-source Ink/Stitch thread palettes (GPL-3.0). HoopFile converts each color to CIELAB and compares it with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, then lists the thread with the smallest difference (ΔE). These are calculated suggestions, not the manufacturers' official conversion charts. Screens, lighting and thread sheen all change how a color looks, so check a printed color card or a sew-out before buying thread for a paid job.
- Very close
- ΔE up to 2. Usually hard to tell apart on the spool.
- Close
- ΔE up to 5. A good substitute for most designs.
- Approximate
- ΔE up to 10. Visible side by side; check before using.
- Large difference
- ΔE above 10. That line has nothing near this color, or see the note on black and white below.
Black and white need a second look. Some palettes record black as pure #000000 and others as a measured dark shade, and whites vary the same way, so a standard black can show a large difference against another brand's standard black. Choose by name for these, then compare spools.
Thread lines included
Common questions
How are the matches worked out?
Each thread color is converted to CIELAB and compared with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, the measure used in color science for how different two colors look. The thread with the smallest difference is listed first. These are calculated suggestions, not a manufacturer's official conversion chart.
Can I convert a Pantone (PMS) color to thread?
Pantone color values are licensed, so they are not built in. If you have the hex or RGB value for the color, for example from a brand style guide, choose Custom color and enter it. Treat the result as a shortlist and confirm it against a printed thread card.
What do Very close, Close, Approximate and Large difference mean?
They describe the CIEDE2000 difference (ΔE). Up to 2 is very close and usually hard to tell apart on a spool; up to 5 is close; up to 10 is approximate and visible side by side; above 10 is a large difference. Blacks and whites are the exception: palettes record them inconsistently, so match those by name.
Should I swap polyester for rayon if the color matches?
Only if the finish and care suit the job. Rayon has a softer sheen; polyester stands up better to bleach and frequent washing. The results show each line's fiber so you can keep like with like.
Why does the thread on my screen look different from the spool?
Swatches are approximate screen colors. Monitors, lighting and the sheen of the thread all change what you see. Check a printed color card or a sew-out before buying thread for a paid job.
Thread matching runs in your browser. Nothing you type here is uploaded. To see the thread colors stored in a PES, JEF or VP3 file, open it in the embroidery file viewer.