From a photo
Use any color-picker tool to grab the hex value of a pixel, then paste it into the matcher to find the DMC thread that comes closest.
DMC color matcher
Pick any DMC floss color to see its closest substitutes, or enter a hex or RGB value to find the nearest DMC thread.
Matches are ranked by perceptual color distance across all 487 DMC Stranded Cotton colors, the same library the DMC color chart is built on.
Match DMC colors
Transparent matching
How the DMC color matcher works
Every match uses the same perceptual color math, so results are consistent and repeatable.
1
Convert each color to CIELAB
hex → sRGB → CIELAB (L*, a*, b*)
CIELAB spaces colors the way human eyes perceive them, so distance in this space reflects how different two colors actually look.
2
Measure the distance to all 487 colors
ΔE = √((ΔL*)² + (Δa*)² + (Δb*)²)
The matcher computes the difference between your color and every DMC Stranded Cotton color in the library.
3
Rank and rate the matches
ΔE ≤ 5 very close · ≤ 12 close · ≤ 25 similar
The closest threads are listed first with a plain-language closeness rating, so you can judge whether a substitute is safe for shading or only for accents.
DMC substitute chart
Substitutes for common DMC colors
The two closest substitutes for frequently used DMC colors, computed with the same color math as the live matcher. Use the tool above for any of the other colors.
| DMC color | Closest substitute | Second choice |
|---|---|---|
| 310 Black | 3371 Black Brown | 938 Ultra Dark Coffee Brown |
| White | B5200 Snow White | 3865 Winter White |
| Ecru | 822 Light Beige Gray | 543 Ultra Very Light Beige Brown |
| B5200 Snow White | White | 3865 Winter White |
| 321 Red | 304 Medium Red | 347 Very Dark Salmon |
| 666 Bright Red | 321 Red | 817 Very Dark Coral Red |
| 498 Dark Red | 304 Medium Red | 816 Garnet |
| 815 Medium Garnet | 814 Dark Garnet | 816 Garnet |
| 3326 Light Rose | 776 Medium Pink | 894 Very Light Carnation |
| 899 Medium Rose | 892 Medium Carnation | 3705 Dark Melon |
| 818 Baby Pink | 225 Ultra Very Light Shell Pink | 3713 Very Light Salmon |
| 740 Tangerine | 971 Pumpkin | 970 Light Pumpkin |
| 970 Light Pumpkin | 971 Pumpkin | 740 Tangerine |
| 444 Dark Lemon | 973 Bright Canary | 725 Medium Light Topaz |
| 973 Bright Canary | 444 Dark Lemon | 307 Lemon |
| 727 Very Light Topaz | 3822 Light Straw | 165 Very Light Moss Green |
| 699 Green | 700 Bright Green | 3345 Dark Hunter Green |
| 702 Kelly Green | 701 Light Green | 703 Chartreuse |
| 909 Very Dark Emerald Green | 561 Very Dark Jade | 910 Dark Emerald Green |
| 470 Light Avocado Green | 12 Tender Green | 580 Dark Moss Green |
| 796 Dark Royal Blue | 820 Very Dark Royal Blue | 797 Royal Blue |
| 798 Dark Delft Blue | 312 Very Dark Baby Blue | 824 Very Dark Blue |
| 995 Dark Electric Blue | 3843 Electric Blue | 3760 Medium Wedgwood |
| 3843 Electric Blue | 995 Dark Electric Blue | 996 Medium Electric Blue |
| 550 Very Dark Violet | 28 Medium Light Eggplant | 3837 Ultra Dark Lavender |
| 208 Very Dark Lavender | 3746 Dark Blue Violet | 209 Dark Lavender |
| 433 Medium Brown | 801 Dark Coffee Brown | 632 Ultra Very Dark Desert Sand |
| 801 Dark Coffee Brown | 433 Medium Brown | 09 Very Dark Cocoa |
| 938 Ultra Dark Coffee Brown | 898 Very Dark Coffee Brown | 3371 Black Brown |
| 317 Pewter Gray | 645 Very Dark Beaver Gray | 535 Very Light Ash Gray |
| 762 Very Light Pearl Gray | 3024 Very Light Brown Gray | 928 Very Light Gray Green |
| 414 Dark Steel Gray | 169 Light Pewter | 04 Dark Tin |
Ratings compare on-screen hex values. A "very close" pair is safe in most patterns; a "similar" pair changes the look and works best for accents or backgrounds.
Hex & RGB to DMC
Convert any color to DMC floss
From a design
Brand colors and digital artwork are usually defined as hex or RGB. The matcher translates them into skeins you can actually buy.
For a whole image
Matching pixel by pixel is what a pattern generator automates. StitchCraft converts an entire photo into a stitchable DMC palette in one step on iPhone and iPad.
Questions, answered
DMC color matcher FAQ
What is the best substitute for a DMC color?
The best substitute is usually the DMC color with the smallest perceptual difference, which is what this matcher calculates. Before committing, check that the substitute keeps the same role in your pattern: a shade used for subtle shading needs a closer match than an accent color.
How accurate is a DMC substitute chart?
Substitute charts compare on-screen color values, so they are a starting point rather than a guarantee. Screen hex values approximate real thread, dye lots vary, and lighting changes how floss reads. Always compare physical skeins in daylight before stitching large areas.
How do I convert a hex or RGB color to DMC?
Enter a hex value like #4174A2 or an RGB value like 65, 116, 162 in the matcher, or use the color picker. The tool measures the perceptual CIELAB distance to all 487 DMC Stranded Cotton colors and shows the closest threads with a closeness rating.
Can I substitute DMC Light Effects threads with this tool?
No. The matcher compares the 487 matte Stranded Cotton colors only. Light Effects threads are metallic and pearlescent, so a color-distance match against matte cotton would be misleading: the finish matters more than the hue.
Is this the same as a DMC to Anchor conversion chart?
No. This tool finds substitutes within the DMC range and converts screen colors to DMC. Converting between thread brands such as DMC and Anchor relies on published brand conversion tables rather than on-screen color matching.
Match a whole photo, not one color
StitchCraft converts photos into cross stitch patterns by matching every region to the nearest DMC color, with editable palettes, progress tracking, and print-ready PDF charts. It is free to start on iPhone and iPad.
Download StitchCraft