Skip to Content

Beading How-To's

Beading Resources > EncycloBEADia > Back To Search Results > Types and Sizes of Beading Thread and Stringing Material
printer friendly version

 Types and Sizes of Beading Thread and Stringing Material 

Applications of Stringing Material
Pearls
Silk thread
Beads with smooth drill holes (amber, coral, etc.)
Silk, polyester or nylon
Beads with abrasive drill holes
FireLine™ thread, polyester or nylon
Beads that are metal, large or have large drill holes
Accu-Flex®, FireLine™, Acculon or Tiger Tail*
Ropes or Woven Necklaces
Nylon
*This is a smooth woven type of wire that is flexible, but yet will resist cutting or breaking, and is used to string heavy crystal and metal beads. The sharp edges and heavy weight of these types of beads will cut regular threading cord.

Silk

Silk
Silk -- Japanese (thickest to thinnest)
International Sizing
Japanese Sizing
Very thick
...
17
 
8
16
Slightly thick
...
15
Medium
...
13
 
15
12
Thin
20
10
Tiny or for leader
50
...
Silk -- American (thickest to thinnest)
Extremely thick
FF and FFF
 
F
Thick
E
Medium
D
 
C
Thin
B
 
A
 
O
Tiny or for leader
OO
Colored American Silk
Thickest to thinnest
FFF, FF, F, E only
Silk on Card (white or colored)
Thickest to thinnest
12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3
Silk thread, Gudebrod
(Thread sizes are smallest to largest, (OO) is smallest, etc.)
Inches (")
Millimeters (mm)
 
Heishi
2mm
3mm
4mm
6mm
8mm
10mm
12mm
0.0050
0.1270
OO
X
X
...
...
...
...
...
...
0.0060
0.1524
O
X
X
...
...
...
...
...
...
0.0070
0.1778
A
X
X
X
...
...
...
...
...
0.0080
0.2032
B
X
X
X
...
...
...
...
...
0.0108
0.2743
C
X
X
X
X
...
...
...
...
0.0120
0.3048
D
X
X
X
X
X
...
...
...
0.0128
0.3251
E
X
X
X
X
X
X
...
...
0.0137
0.3480
F
...
...
...
X
X
X
X
X
0.0150
0.3810
FF
...
...
...
X
X
X
X
X
0.0165
0.4191
FFF
...
...
...
X
X
X
X
X

Synthetics

Polyester -- Japanese
Use the same international sizing as Japanese silk (above)
Nylon (American, German -- White and Colored)
Thickest to thinnest
8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1-1/2, 1
Nylon (American, German -- White and Colored)
Thickest to thinnest
BC3 (heavy), BC2 (medium), C1 (thin)
Nylon (American, German white and colored, on spools, unwaxed)
Use the same sizing as American silk (above)
"Silkon" bonded nylon thread
(Thread sizes are smallest to largest, #1 is smallest, etc.)
 
Heishi
2mm
3mm
4mm
6mm
8mm
10mm
12mm
#1
X
X
X
X
X
...
...
...
#2
...
...
...
X
X
X
X
...
#3
...
...
...
...
X
X
X
X
C-Thru nylon thread
(Thread sizes are smallest to largest, extra fine is smallest, etc.)
Inches (")
Millimeters (mm)
 
2mm
4mm
6mm
8mm
10mm
12mm
0.0150
0.3810
Extra Fine
X
X
X
...
...
...
0.0190
0.4826
Fine
...
X
X
X
...
...
0.0270
0.6858
Medium
...
...
X
X
X
X
0.0320
0.8128
Heavy
...
...
X
X
X
X
Kevlar thread (8lb)
 
MM
IN
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diameter
.089
.0035
...
...
...
...
...
...
Parachute Cord
Inches (")
Millimeters (mm)
 
0.0040
0.1016
18lb
0.0060
0.1524
30lb
0.0120
0.3048
50b

Have a question regarding this resource? Email Customer Service.
Back to top

Resource Search

Customer Service
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads is a proud member of:
Fire Mountain Gems and Beads - One Fire Mountain Way, Grants Pass, OR USA 97526-2373
Copyright 2009 Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, Inc. All rights reserved.
Return to Top