Threadwise

Find the right thread for every color on your canvas.

The sample lighthouse canvas drawn stitch by stitch in its matched DMC threads
Stitched
The same canvas as painted, before stitchingPainted
See your canvas stitched in its matched threads before you buy a skein.

Upload a photo of your needlepoint canvas. Threadwise identifies the colors, matches them to DMC thread, estimates how much you'll need, and creates your shopping list.

  • Free, no sign-up
  • Photos never stored
  • 489 DMC shades

Example

From one photo to a shopping list

The actual list Threadwise makes from the lighthouse canvas above, before any edits. Your own photo gets the same treatment.

10threads28skeins

10 × 7.25 in, 13-mesh

  • DMC 3325 Baby Blue LightSky13 skeins
  • DMC 676 Old Gold LtBeach4 skeins
  • DMC 3347 Yellow Green MedHeadland3 skeins
  • DMC 336 Navy BlueSea2 skeins
  • DMC 3866 Mocha Brn Ult Vy LtWhite stripes and sail1 skein

and 5 more, down to the lamp room at <1% of the canvas

Common questions

What does Threadwise do?
It reads the colors in a photo of a hand-painted needlepoint canvas and finds the closest DMC six-strand floss for each one. Add your canvas size and mesh count to get skein estimates, then take the shopping list to your needlepoint shop.
How do I find the DMC number for a color on my canvas?
Photograph the canvas in daylight, crop to the painted area, and Threadwise lists each color with its closest DMC number and two alternates, labelled by how close the match is. Screens and cameras shift color, so check the skeins against your canvas before you buy.
How many skeins of floss will I need?
Enter the canvas width, height, and mesh count, such as 13 or 18 mesh. Threadwise counts the strands of floss that cover that mesh (12 on 13-mesh, 6 on 18-mesh, or your own number), estimates each color's share of the design, and rounds up to whole skeins for tent stitch. Basketweave and decorative stitches use more, so add a skein for large areas.
Does it match wool, silk, or other thread brands?
Not yet. Matches come from 489 DMC six-strand embroidery floss colors only.
Is Threadwise free? Does it keep my photo?
It's free, with nothing to sign up for. Photos are never stored, and only a small preview of your crop leaves your browser.

Browse the DMC color chart or read the full FAQ.