String art generator
In short: Upload a portrait and the generator works out a single continuous thread path around a ring of pins (120–300 nails) that recreates the picture. You get a live preview, the numbered pin-to-pin sequence to follow, the number of lines and the thread length for your board size. 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.
square, face centred · stays on your device
First PDF free. The preview and the sequence below are always free.
Pin sequence
How it works
- Upload a high-contrast portrait, face centred.
- Choose pins (200 is a good start) and lines (2,000–4,000).
- Download the pin sequence and wrap the thread in order.
What you get
| Pins | 120–300 on a circle |
|---|---|
| Output | Numbered sequence, line count, thread length |
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
Getting a good result
Use a bright, evenly lit face against a plain background and crop to a square. More lines give darker, more detailed results but need more thread — about 1–2 km for a 50 cm board at 3,000 lines.
FAQ
How does a string art generator work?
It starts at pin 0 and repeatedly picks the next pin whose straight line covers the most remaining dark area of the photo, then lightens that line. The list of pins is your wrapping order.