Hex to DMC Converter
Paste a hex color code or pick a color to find the closest DMC embroidery thread.
Enter a valid hex code like #FF6B35 or #F63
Top matches for #FF6B35
No results. Make sure your hex code is valid (e.g. #FF6B35).
How to Convert Hex Colors to DMC Thread
Designers and digital artists work in hex codes. Cross-stitchers work in thread numbers. That gap is exactly what this tool bridges. Whether you're adapting a logo for a gift, reproducing a photograph as a stitched piece, or matching a color from a web palette for a modern sampler, the hex-to-DMC converter takes your digital color value and finds the closest available embroidery floss in DMC's 454-color palette.
The matching algorithm uses CIEDE2000, the current international standard for perceptual color difference. Unlike simple RGB distance (which treats red, green, and blue channels as equal), CIEDE2000 models how human vision actually perceives differences between colors. It weighs lightness changes, chroma (saturation) shifts, and hue differences according to how sensitive the eye is to each — for example, the eye is more sensitive to small hue shifts in yellows than in blues. This means the top result is genuinely the closest-looking thread, not just the closest number.
Keep in mind that matches are always approximate. DMC's palette of ~454 colors cannot cover every possible hex value — most colors fall between two or more available shades. The tool shows you the ten closest options so you can weigh trade-offs: maybe the second-closest match has a more useful Anchor equivalent for your stash, or maybe you prefer a slightly warmer shade for the specific project you have in mind.
Looking for other ways to find colors? Search by DMC number, name, or brand equivalent in our full color database, or compare brands side by side on our conversion pages.
Common Hex to DMC Conversions
These popular reference colors are frequently searched — click any row to load it into the tool above.
| Hex | Closest DMC | |
|---|---|---|
| #000000 | DMC 310 Black | |
| #FFFFFF | DMC Blanc White | |
| #FF0000 | DMC 666 Christmas Red | |
| #0000FF | DMC 796 Dark Royal Blue | |
| #FFFF00 | DMC 307 Lemon | |
| #00FF00 | DMC 702 Kelly Green | |
| #FF6B35 | DMC 3340 | |
| #8B4513 | DMC 434 |
Hex to DMC questions stitchers ask most
These are the same questions answered in the page schema, rendered here so the page stays honest about what it promises to Google and to stitchers.
How do I convert a hex color to DMC thread?+
Enter your hex color code (e.g. #FF6B35) into the input field above, or use the color picker to visually select a color. The tool instantly calculates the perceptual distance between your color and all 540 DMC thread colors using the CIEDE2000 algorithm, then displays the top 10 closest matches ranked by how similar they look to the human eye.
What is the closest DMC color to #FF0000 (pure red)?+
The closest DMC color to pure red (#FF0000) is typically DMC 666 (Christmas Red) or DMC 321 (Red), both of which are bright, saturated reds. DMC 666 tends to be slightly more vivid while DMC 321 is a touch deeper. The exact best match depends on the perceptual distance calculation — use the tool above to see all top 10 candidates and compare swatches side by side.
Why is the hex-to-DMC match only approximate?+
DMC produces 454 standard colors (plus specialty threads), which cannot cover every possible hex value. Most hex colors fall between two or more DMC shades. The tool finds the perceptually closest available thread using CIEDE2000 color science, but the match is always a best approximation — not an exact digital reproduction. Physical thread also looks different from a screen due to texture, light reflection, and fabric interaction.
Can I use this tool to convert Pantone or RGB colors to DMC?+
Yes — any color system that produces a hex code works with this tool. Convert your Pantone color to hex using your design software or a Pantone-to-hex reference, then paste the hex code here. For RGB colors, convert them to hex format: multiply nothing, simply use the standard RGB-to-hex formula or any online converter, then paste the result.
Have a DMC number and want the full conversion chart? Search our color database or browse all DMC colors by family.