Needle Size Chart

Easy-to-follow chart gives suggestions for which needles can be used when working with a range of bead types.

Beadalon®
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
#10 0.46 0.62 2" 7274BS HARD -12 needles + threader
#12 0.4 0.6 2" 7275BS HARD -12 needles + threader
Jewel Loom® 0.46 0.6 3" 7278BS Great for loom work
Colonial Milliners
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
#10 0.5 0.66 1-1/2" 5456BS Meant for professional hatmakers
#10 0.52 0.79 1-3/4" 1938BS Meant for seed beading and embroidery
Economy
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
#10 0.46 0.6 2-1/4" 1033BS  
#12 0.37 0.49 2" 1034BS Light weight
Extra-Fine
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
  0.4 0.54 42mm / 48mm / 55mm 2006BS Assortment + threader - Extra Fine - Good for looming
Igolochkoy™
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
  0.2   4" 1711BS Flexible and magnetic
John James
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
BEADING NEEDLES
#10 0.45 0.56 2-3/16" 1031BS Beading
#13 0.31 0.41 1-15/16" 1029BS Beading
#15 0.26 0.36 1-3/4" 1030BS Beading
#10 / #11 / #12 / #13 0.30 to 0.56   2" and 2-1/8" 1025BS Assortment
  0.6 to 1.2 0.7 to 1.8 1-1/4" to 2-1/4" 1942BS Beading
#3 to #24 0.6 to 1.8 0.5 to 1.2 1-1/4" to 2" 1943BS Assortment pack + threader
SHARPS
#10 0.52 0.64 1-1/4" 1023BS Beading
#11 0.45 0.55 1-1/4" 1024BS Beading
#12 0.4 0.45 1-3/16" 1027BS Beading
#12 0.38 0.55 3" 1026BS Extra long - Beading
ENGLISH
#12 0.36 0.57 2" 1028BS English - seed bead and loom work
MILLINERS
#3 to #9 0.60 to 0.85 0.77 to 1.05 1-1/2" to 2" 5455BS Meant for professional hatmakers
GLOVERS LEATHER NEEDLES
#1 1.15 1.46 1-7/8" 1020BS Triangle tip
#4 0.8 0.97 1-1/2" 1021BS
#8 0.62 0.72 1-5/16" 1022BS
#10 0.52 0.75 1-1/4" 1032BS Triangle tip
Somore
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
#10 0.43 0.46 to 0.64 2-3/16" 3880BS Assortment - Carbon Steel - Flexible - Good for looming and embroidery
#12 0.36 0.46 to 0.64 2"
#15 0.46 0.46 to 0.64 1-5/8"
Steel
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
  0.50 0.64 2-1/4" 1017BS pkg 6 + threader - Seed bead projects
  0.52 0.62 1-3/4" 1016BS Pkg 8 - Seed bead projects
  0.52 0.62 3-1/2" 1019BS Pkg 4 - Seed bead projects
  0.52 0.62 4-3/4" 1018BS Pkg 3 - Seed bead projects
Tulip
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
BEADING NEEDLES
#3   1.2 2-1/4" 7359BS Milliners - Assortment pack
#5 0.9 0.9 2"
#7 0.7 0.7 1-3/4"
#8 0.64 0.64 1-3/4" 7360BS Assortment pack
#9   0.62 1-3/5"
#10   0.6 1-1/2"
#10 0.47 0.6 2" 7361BS Long
#10 0.47 0.6 1-1/2" 7362BS Short
#11 0.42 0.52 2" 7363BS Seed beading and embroidery
#11 short 0.46 0.52 37mm 7897BS Seed beading and embroidery
#12 0.36 0.48 1-4/5" 7364BS Seed Beading
#10 / #11 / #12   0.48 to 0.60 1-1/2 to 2" 7365BS Assortment pack
#10 / #11 / #12 / #13   0.35 to 0.60 1-2/5 to 2" 7366BS Assortment pack + fine beading awl
#13 0.30 0.42 1-3/8" 7631BS Meant for stringing and embroidery
  0.20   2-3/4" 7632BS Meant for crochet work
  0.20   4-3/4" 7633BS Long
  0.50 0.68 3-1/2" 7634BS Great for loom work
  0.50 0.68 3-1/2" 7635BS Assortment pack
LEATHER NEEDLES
0.96 1 1-1/2" 7356BS Short
  0.96 1 1-3/4" 7357BS Medium/Middle
  1.2 1.3 2" 7358BS Long
Twisted
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
#6 0.15   2-1/2 to 3" 1039BS / 1043BS Light + collapsible eye
#8 0.29   2-1/2 to 3" 1040BS / 1044BS Light-Medium + collapsible eye
#8 0.19 1.8 2-1/2 to 3" 1049BS Light-Extra Rigid
#10 0.22   2-1/2 to 3" 1048BS Light-Medium + collapsible eye
#10 0.39   2-1/2 to 3" 1041BS / 1045BS Medium-Heavy + collapsible eye
#12 0.27   2-1/2 to 3" 1047BS Medium-Heavy Extra Rigid + collapsible eye
"J" shape 0.47 0.75 4" 3279TL For Speedy Stringer Tool
0.50 1.9   2-1/2" to 3" 1042BS Heavy + collapsible eye
0.50 1.9   2-1/2" to 3" 1046BS Heavy + collapsible eye
Wide-Eye
Size Width/mm Eye/mm Length Item no. Usage / Info.
#12 0.5   2-1/4" 2615BS Seed bead and Loom work
#14 0.54   4" 2616BS Seed bead and Loom work
#16 0.58   1-1/2 to 5" 2617BS Seed bead and Loom work
#18 0.13   2-1/4" 2618BS Seed bead and Loom work
#22 0.13   2-1/4 and 4" 2620BS Seed bead and Loom work
#20 0.13   4" 2619BS Seed bead and Loom work
Elastacord™ Bead Threader
  1 1.2 10-1/2" 4695TL Fits beads with hole sizes 1mm or larger.

What size needle should I use?
Can I use a Delica Beading Needle? Can I use an Economy Needle? Can I use an English Beading Needle? Can I use a Big Eye Needle? Twisted Beading Needle Size
Austrian crystal beads yes yes yes yes light-medium
Cloisonné yes yes yes yes medium-heavy to heavy
Fire polish beads yes yes yes yes light-medium
Gemstone beads yes yes yes yes light-medium
Glass beads yes yes yes yes light-medium to heavy (depending on the size of the hole)
Pearls no no no no light

How did you like this resource? Your feedback helps us provide resources that matter to you most.

Shop for Your Materials Here: