DMC to Anchor, Madeira, and Sullivans Floss Conversion (Complete Reference)
Quick Answer
Convert DMC floss to Anchor, Madeira, and Sullivans equivalents in one place. Includes top 60 most-used DMC numbers, brand-by-brand color matching notes, and what to do when no exact equivalent exists.
Why DMC Floss Conversion Matters
Most cross-stitch and embroidery patterns published in the US use DMC floss numbers. Outside the US, Anchor (UK), Madeira (Germany), and Sullivans (Australia) are equally common — and many local craft stores stock only one brand. If you are following a pattern with DMC numbers but your local store sells only Anchor or Madeira, you need a conversion chart. Conversions are approximate. No two brands match each other exactly because each brand maintains its own dye lots, and color names like 'Christmas Red' refer to different specific shades across brands. For high-stakes work (gifts, gallery pieces) buy a brand sample card and check the actual color. For most projects the converted equivalent is close enough — your finished piece will look intentional even if the exact red differs by a small percent.
Top 60 DMC → Anchor → Madeira → Sullivans Conversions
These are the 60 most-used DMC colors in published cross-stitch and embroidery patterns. Format: DMC | Anchor | Madeira | Sullivans. Whites/Creams: Blanc | 2 | 2401 | 45001 · Ecru | 387 | 2404 | 45149 · 712 (Cream) | 926 | 2101 | 45007 · 822 (Beige Light) | 390 | 1908 | 45373. Reds: 321 (Red) | 9046 | 0510 | 45011 · 498 (Red Dark) | 1005 | 0511 | 45013 · 666 (Red Bright) | 46 | 0210 | 45102 · 815 (Garnet Medium) | 43 | 0512 | 45013 · 304 (Red Medium) | 1006 | 0509 | 45104. Pinks: 3326 (Rose Light) | 36 | 0606 | 45070 · 776 (Pink Medium) | 24 | 0606 | 45069 · 899 (Rose Medium) | 38 | 0505 | 45071 · 309 (Rose Deep) | 39 | 0507 | 45072. Oranges: 947 (Burnt Orange) | 330 | 0205 | 45125 · 740 (Tangerine) | 316 | 0203 | 45123. Yellows: 444 (Lemon Dark) | 290 | 0105 | 45116 · 743 (Yellow Medium) | 302 | 0113 | 45118 · 725 (Topaz) | 305 | 0108 | 45117. Greens: 700 (Christmas Green) | 228 | 1304 | 45178 · 909 (Emerald Green Vy Dk) | 923 | 1303 | 45176 · 561 (Jade Vy Dk) | 212 | 1213 | 45168 · 905 (Parrot Green Dark) | 257 | 1412 | 45184 · 3346 (Hunter Green) | 267 | 1407 | 45170. Teals/Aquas: 3812 (Sea Green Vy Dk) | 188 | 1101 | 45204 · 959 (Sea Green Medium) | 186 | 1113 | 45203. Blues: 798 (Delft Blue Dark) | 131 | 0911 | 45227 · 311 (Navy Blue Vy Dk) | 148 | 1007 | 45211 · 312 (Navy Blue Light) | 979 | 1005 | 45213 · 825 (Blue Dark) | 162 | 1011 | 45225 · 826 (Blue Medium) | 161 | 1012 | 45222. Purples: 550 (Violet Vy Dk) | 102 | 0714 | 45238 · 553 (Violet Medium) | 98 | 0712 | 45236 · 327 (Violet Dark) | 100 | 0713 | 45237. Browns: 433 (Brown Medium) | 358 | 2008 | 45304 · 434 (Brown Light) | 310 | 2009 | 45305 · 938 (Coffee Brown Ult Dk) | 381 | 2005 | 45301 · 3826 (Golden Brown) | 1049 | 2007 | 45307 · 801 (Coffee Brown Dark) | 359 | 2007 | 45302. Greys: 310 (Black) | 403 | 2400 | 45154 · 3799 (Pewter Gray Vy Dk) | 236 | 1713 | 45156 · 414 (Steel Gray Dark) | 235 | 1714 | 45158 · 415 (Pearl Gray) | 398 | 1802 | 45151 · 762 (Pearl Gray Vy Lt) | 234 | 1804 | 45151. For the full 454-color conversion across all four brands, ArtPatt's DMC to Anchor Conversion Chart and the Madeira/Sullivans cross-references in this section cover the full range — bookmark this page or the chart page for shopping reference.
DMC to Anchor Floss Conversion Notes
Anchor is owned by Coats and is the dominant brand in the UK and across continental Europe. Anchor matches DMC closely on cool colors (blues, greens, greys) and slightly less closely on warm colors (reds, oranges) where Anchor's reds tend a touch more orange than DMC. The Anchor numbering system runs 1–1500+ but skips many numbers. Most DMC colors have a single Anchor equivalent; about 5% have two acceptable equivalents (often a 'closer hue but lighter' and 'closer value but warmer' option). For project planning purposes always cross-reference both ways: convert DMC → Anchor for shopping, then convert back Anchor → DMC to confirm the round-trip lands within one or two numbers of the original. ArtPatt's DMC to Anchor Conversion Chart covers all 454 DMC colors with both forward and reverse lookups.
DMC to Madeira Floss Conversion Notes
Madeira is a German brand, dominant in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Eastern Europe. Madeira floss numbers are 4-digit codes (e.g., 0510 for Christmas Red) — different format from DMC's 3-digit codes. Madeira's color range is slightly smaller than DMC (about 380 colors vs DMC's 454), so a small number of niche DMC colors do not have direct Madeira equivalents and require substituting the closest available shade. Madeira's color profile is slightly warmer overall than DMC — reds and yellows match well, but cool blues sometimes read greener in Madeira than the equivalent DMC. For high-precision colorwork (portraits, photo-realistic embroidery), test the converted Madeira shade against the original DMC color before committing.
DMC to Sullivans Floss Conversion Notes
Sullivans USA is a budget alternative to DMC, dominant in Australia (where it is widely stocked) and increasingly available in US craft chains. Sullivans floss numbers start at 45000 and run to ~46000 — a 5-digit format that does not overlap with DMC, Anchor, or Madeira. Sullivans markets itself as DMC-equivalent; the actual color match is good for ~90% of the range, with some divergence on metallic-tone colors and the deepest darks. The price is typically 30–50% lower than DMC at retail, which makes Sullivans attractive for large projects with high yardage requirements (full-size samplers, blanket-sized cross-stitch). For projects where exact color match matters (gift portraits, design competitions) stick with DMC. For volume practice, color sampling, or budget-conscious large projects, Sullivans is a reasonable substitute.
What to Do When No Exact Equivalent Exists
When a DMC color has no precise equivalent in your target brand, you have three options. (1) Pick the closest available shade — accept a small color drift that will not be visible unless you compare the finished piece directly to a DMC original. (2) Buy from multiple brands for one project — common for designers, less common for hobbyists. Keep brand labels on the bobbins so you can re-order accurately if you run out. (3) Substitute with hand-mixed floss — for advanced stitchers, blend two single strands of different colors into a 2-strand stitching pair. This is the technique used to reproduce out-of-production DMC variegated colors. None of the three options causes problems in finished work as long as you are consistent within a single design — switching between two near-equivalents mid-project is what creates visible inconsistency, not the substitution itself.
Free DMC Conversion Tools
ArtPatt's Find DMC Color tool matches any color or hex code to the closest DMC floss using CIEDE2000 perceptual color matching — the same algorithm used in professional color science. The DMC Color Chart shows all 454 colors with swatches, names, numbers, and hex codes. The DMC to Anchor Conversion Chart provides a printable cross-reference. For Madeira and Sullivans, the conversions in the table above cover the most common 60 colors used in published patterns; for a full 454-color cross-brand conversion, brand sample cards (Anchor, Madeira, and Sullivans each sell their own sample card for $15–25) are the gold standard reference. When generating a pattern from a photo using ArtPatt, the chart shows DMC numbers by default — convert to your local brand using this guide before shopping.
DMC Conversion FAQ
Are DMC and Anchor floss the same quality? Both are top-tier 6-strand cotton floss, colorfast, and equivalent in stitching quality. Differences are color match (not quality). Can I mix DMC and Anchor in the same project? Yes, as long as you are consistent within each color area. Mixing brands within a single shaded area can create visible texture differences. Is there a free DMC to Anchor conversion chart? Yes — ArtPatt's DMC to Anchor Conversion Chart covers all 454 DMC colors. What about DMC vs J&P Coats vs Bucilla? J&P Coats and Bucilla are older US brands largely replaced by DMC and Anchor in current pattern publishing. Vintage patterns from the 1970s–90s sometimes reference Coats or Bucilla numbers; convert to DMC using vintage cross-reference tables (search 'J&P Coats to DMC conversion'). How do I match a custom color (from a photo) to DMC? Use a perceptual color matcher like ArtPatt's Find DMC Color — it converts any hex or RGB value to the closest DMC equivalent using CIEDE2000 color difference rather than naive RGB distance.
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