Photo to cross stitch pattern
In short: Upload a photo and get a cross stitch chart in seconds: every square is matched to a real DMC (or Anchor) floss colour, with symbols, a colour key, skein counts and the finished size on 11–18 count Aida. It runs entirely in your browser — the photo is never uploaded — and there is no sign-up. Free: unlimited on-screen patterns, colour key, materials list and PNG chart download. PDFs up to 60×60 are always free, plus your first full-size PDF; after that a larger print-ready PDF is $2.99 per photo, or $7.99 for 30 days of unlimited PDFs.
or drop / paste an image · stays on your device
How it works
- Drop in a photo (portraits and pets work best when cropped close).
- Pick the stitch width, how many floss colours you want and your fabric count.
- Check the stitched-look preview, swap any colour, then download the chart or the PDF pattern.
What you get
| Thread colours | 489 current DMC stranded cotton colours or 420 Anchor colours, matched in CIELAB |
|---|---|
| Pattern size | 20–250 stitches wide; height follows the photo |
| Colour limit | 1–60 colours, chosen to keep small details such as eyes |
| Clean-up | Background removal and confetti (single-stitch) reduction |
| Materials | Stitch count and skeins per colour, fabric size with 3 in margins |
| Export | PNG chart (free), multi-page PDF with symbols, grid every 10 and centre marks |
| Privacy | Processed in your browser; no upload, no account |
Checked November 2026. Free: pattern on screen, colour key, materials list, PNG chart, CSV, PDFs up to 60×60 and your first full-size PDF. Bigger PDFs: $2.99 per photo or $7.99 for 30 days. Pricing · How the colours are matched
What makes a photo stitch well
Strong contrast and a simple background give the cleanest charts. Crop tight around the subject before uploading — a face that fills the frame at 80 stitches wide keeps far more detail than a full-body shot at the same width.
Fewer colours means fewer thread changes. Around 12–20 DMC colours is the sweet spot for portraits; landscapes often need 25–40. Turn on confetti reduction to merge lone stitches of a colour into their neighbours, which saves a lot of starting and stopping.
How the skein estimate works
A DMC or Anchor skein holds 8 m of six-strand floss. With 2 strands on 14-count Aida that is roughly 1,800 full cross stitches after allowing 20% for tails and travel. We round up per colour, so you will have a little left over rather than run short.
FAQ
How do I turn a picture into a cross stitch pattern for free?
Upload the picture here, choose the width in stitches and the number of DMC colours, and the chart appears instantly. The on-screen pattern, colour key, materials list and PNG chart are free, and your first PDF is free as well.
Does it use real DMC thread numbers?
Yes. Every colour in the pattern is a real DMC stranded cotton number (or Anchor, if you switch brands), and the key lists the number, name, stitch count and skeins to buy.
What size should my pattern be?
Size in inches = stitches ÷ fabric count. A 100-stitch-wide chart is about 7.1 in on 14-count Aida, 6.3 in on 16-count and 9.1 in on 11-count. The tool shows the finished size and how much fabric to buy.
Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
No. The pattern is calculated in your browser with JavaScript; the image never leaves your device.
Can I edit colours after the pattern is made?
Yes — click any colour in the key to swap it for a nearby DMC shade, or to merge it into another colour already in the pattern.