Floss converter: DMC, Anchor, Madeira, Sullivans

To convert a DMC thread to Anchor, Madeira or Sullivans (or the other way round), choose the starting brand, type the number, and read its equivalent: the manufacturer’s published match comes first, then the closest threads on screen with their color difference. Always check with a real skein before stitching a large area.

Convert a floss from one brand to another in 4 steps

1. Choose the starting brand, the one in your chart’s key.
2. Type the number (“310”, “B5200”) or a color name, or tap a thread in the chart.
3. Read the equivalent in the brand you want: the manufacturer’s published match first, then the closest threads on screen, with their color difference.
4. Check with a real skein before buying, especially for large areas.

For a whole key, open “Convert a whole thread list”: paste one number per line, and the table of equivalents appears at once.

Official match or closest color?

Madeira publishes the DMC and Anchor numbers of each of its shades in its color card, as well as conversion tables from DMC and Anchor; Sullivans publishes a table from DMC. These “published” matches come first. A manufacturer sometimes gives its closest shade rather than an identical one, or the same shade for several colors: this is noted.

Next come the closest threads on screen, calculated with the ΔE2000 color difference, which follows the eye’s perception better than a simple difference of values.

Why an equivalent is never exact

Each manufacturer dyes its threads with its own processes and its own choice of shades: no formula turns a DMC number into an Anchor number. Published tables are based on shade comparisons, and the on-screen colors of color charts are only approximate. An equivalent is therefore the closest shade, not a clone.

The difference matters most on large flat areas (a sky, a background), in gradients, where the order of lightness must be kept, and when two neighboring shades in a chart risk landing on the same thread after conversion.

The converter’s brands

The converter also knows fuse beads, diamond painting drills and yarn: choose their brand in the menu to switch from one range to another within the same material.

All conversion charts

Each table gives, thread by thread, the equivalent of a whole brand in another: DMC → Anchor, DMC → Madeira, DMC → Sullivans, DMC → Gamma, DMC → PNK Kirov, DMC → Splendor, DMC → Mandarin Floss, Anchor → DMC, Anchor → Madeira, Anchor → Sullivans, Anchor → Gamma, Anchor → PNK Kirov, Anchor → Splendor, Anchor → Mandarin Floss, Madeira → DMC, Madeira → Anchor, Madeira → Sullivans, Madeira → Gamma, Madeira → PNK Kirov, Madeira → Splendor, Madeira → Mandarin Floss, Sullivans → DMC, Sullivans → Anchor, Sullivans → Madeira, Sullivans → Gamma, Sullivans → PNK Kirov, Sullivans → Splendor, Sullivans → Mandarin Floss, Perler → Hama, Perler → Artkal S, Perler → Hama Mini, Perler → Hama Maxi, Perler → Perler Mini, Perler → Perler Caps, Perler → Nabbi, Perler → Artkal A, Perler → Artkal C, Perler → Artkal M, Perler → Artkal R, Perler → Yant, Perler → Mard, Hama → Perler, Hama → Artkal S, Hama → Hama Mini, Hama → Hama Maxi, Hama → Perler Mini, Hama → Perler Caps, Hama → Nabbi, Hama → Artkal A, Hama → Artkal C, Hama → Artkal M, Hama → Artkal R, Hama → Yant, Hama → Mard, Artkal S → Perler, Artkal S → Hama, Artkal S → Hama Mini, Artkal S → Hama Maxi, Artkal S → Perler Mini, Artkal S → Perler Caps, Artkal S → Nabbi, Artkal S → Artkal A, Artkal S → Artkal C, Artkal S → Artkal M, Artkal S → Artkal R, Artkal S → Yant, Artkal S → Mard, Diamond Dotz → Diamond Painting, Diamond Painting → Diamond Dotz, Hama Mini → Perler, Hama Mini → Hama, Hama Mini → Artkal S, Hama Maxi → Perler, Hama Maxi → Hama, Hama Maxi → Artkal S, Perler Mini → Perler, Perler Mini → Hama, Perler Mini → Artkal S, Perler Caps → Perler, Perler Caps → Hama, Perler Caps → Artkal S, Nabbi → Perler, Nabbi → Hama, Nabbi → Artkal S, Artkal A → Perler, Artkal A → Hama, Artkal A → Artkal S, Artkal C → Perler, Artkal C → Hama, Artkal C → Artkal S, Artkal M → Perler, Artkal M → Hama, Artkal M → Artkal S, Artkal R → Perler, Artkal R → Hama, Artkal R → Artkal S, Yant → Perler, Yant → Hama, Yant → Artkal S, Mard → Perler, Mard → Hama, Mard → Artkal S, Gamma → DMC, Gamma → Anchor, Gamma → Madeira, Gamma → Sullivans, Gamma → PNK Kirov, Gamma → Splendor, Gamma → Mandarin Floss, PNK Kirov → DMC, PNK Kirov → Anchor, PNK Kirov → Madeira, PNK Kirov → Sullivans, PNK Kirov → Gamma, PNK Kirov → Splendor, PNK Kirov → Mandarin Floss, Splendor → DMC, Splendor → Anchor, Splendor → Madeira, Splendor → Sullivans, Splendor → Gamma, Splendor → PNK Kirov, Splendor → Mandarin Floss, Mandarin Floss → DMC, Mandarin Floss → Anchor, Mandarin Floss → Madeira, Mandarin Floss → Sullivans, Mandarin Floss → Gamma, Mandarin Floss → PNK Kirov, Mandarin Floss → Splendor.

A chart calls for Weeks Dye Works threads? The Weeks Dye Works to DMC conversion gives the DMC equivalent published by Weeks for 321 shades.

Common mistakes

• Converting as you stitch : you discover the differences too late. Convert the whole key at once.
• Judging under a lamp : color changes with the light. Compare near a window.
• Mixing two brands in the same area : keep equivalents for clearly separated areas.
• Forgetting your stash : check the threads you already own before buying.

In the studio

The stixiva studio’s “Change brand” feature converts a whole chart at once: each thread takes its official match when it’s plausible, otherwise the closest thread, without ever merging two colors. The shopping list follows the new brand.

Our take

A floss conversion is a decision aid, not a verdict. We show the source of each equivalent and its color difference so you can judge, rather than a single number presented as exact. The best habit stays simple: convert in one go, check in daylight, note the result in the key. Our article DMC Anchor conversion explains this method (in French).

To go further than this tool: the free cross stitch software stixiva draws, converts and prints your charts, online or on Windows, and its Stitch mode tracks your stitches as you work.

Sources

• DMC color chart (manufacturer’s page)
• Anchor color chart (manufacturer’s page)
• Madeira color chart (manufacturer’s page)
• Sullivans color chart (manufacturer’s page)