Is DMC to Anchor conversion ever exact?

Almost never. DMC and Anchor use independently developed dye recipes, so even the closest match is usually a shade lighter, darker, or warmer than the original. For most patterns the difference is invisible once stitched, but for skin tones, gradients, and large blocks of a single color it matters — always eyeball a physical swatch before committing.

Can I use this chart for Anchor to DMC as well?

Yes. The search box filters both the DMC and Anchor columns, so typing an Anchor number finds the DMC equivalent just as easily as the other direction. The mapping is the same lookup table used both ways — there is no separate Anchor-to-DMC table.

Does this chart work for CXC threads?

Yes. CXC (Cross Stitch Collection) threads are numbered to match DMC — CXC 310 is equivalent to DMC 310, CXC 321 to DMC 321, and so on. Look up the CXC number in the DMC column and use the Anchor equivalent shown. This is especially useful for UK and Australian stitchers using CXC as a lower-cost DMC alternative.

Why do some DMC colors not have a clean Anchor match?

A few DMC shades fall between Anchor colors or were added after standard conversion tables were drawn up. For those, the chart shows the closest available Anchor number, but the difference may be larger than usual. If a pattern is heavy in a poorly-matched color, consider stitching in DMC instead, or substituting a neighboring shade from the same family.

Which thread brand should I actually use?

If a pattern is published in DMC numbers, stitching in DMC avoids any conversion risk — ArtPatt's cross-stitch and embroidery generators produce DMC charts by default. Anchor is a great alternative where DMC is hard to find or more expensive, and Anchor's sheen and strand feel are slightly different, which some stitchers prefer. Mixing brands in a single piece works, but expect subtle color and sheen differences side-by-side.

Thread Conversion Reference

DMC to Anchor Conversion Chart

Name: DMC to Anchor Embroidery Thread Conversion Chart
Creator: ArtPatt

Search any DMC number or color name to find the closest Anchor thread equivalent. Covers all standard DMC six-strand embroidery floss colors. Also applies to CXC → Anchor conversions — CXC uses DMC-equivalent numbering.

Generate Cross-Stitch Pattern

How to Use This Chart

DMC → Anchor: Type the DMC number in the search box. The Anchor column shows the closest equivalent.
Anchor → DMC: Type the Anchor number in the search box — the chart filters by Anchor number too.
CXC → Anchor: CXC (Cross Stitch Collection) threads use DMC-equivalent numbers. Search the DMC number and use the Anchor equivalent shown.
Colors differ between brands — no conversion is a perfect match. The closest Anchor color may be slightly lighter, darker, or warmer than the DMC original. Always check the physical swatch before committing to a large project.

489 colorsSearch by DMC number, Anchor number, or color name

DMC #	Color Name	Anchor #
B5200	Snow White	1
BLANC	White	2
ECRU	Ecru	387
01	White Tin	—
02	Tin	—
03	Medium Tin	—
04	Dark Tin	—
05	Light Driftwood	—
06	Medium Light Driftwood	—
07	Driftwood	—
08	Dark Driftwood	—
09	Very Dark Cocoa	—
10	Very Light Tender Green	—
11	Light Tender Green	—
12	Tender Green	—
13	Medium Light Nile Green	—
14	Pale Apple Green	—
15	Apple Green	—
16	Light Chartreuse	—
17	Light Yellow Plum	—
18	Yellow Plum	—
19	Medium Light Autumn Gold	—
20	Shrimp	—
21	Light Alizarin	—
22	Alizarin	—
23	Apple Blossom	—
24	White Lavender	—
25	Ultra Light Lavender	—
26	Pale Lavender	—
27	White Violet	—
28	Medium Light Eggplant	—
29	Eggplant	—
30	Medium Light Blueberry	—
31	Blueberry	—
32	Dark Blueberry	—
33	Fuchsia	—
34	Dark Fuchsia	—
35	3 of3	—
150	Ultra Very Dark Dusty Rose	59
151	Very Light Dusty Rose	23
152	Medium Light Shell Pink	969
153	Very Light Violet	95
154	Very Dark Grape	873
155	Medium Dark Blue Violet	1030
156	Medium Light Blue Violet	118
157	Very Light Cornflower Blue	120
158	Medium Very Dark Cornflower Blue	178
159	Light Gray Blue	120
160	Medium Gray Blue	175
161	Gray Blue	176
162	Ultra Very Light Blue	159
163	Medium Caledon Green	877
164	Light Forest Green	240
165	Very Light Moss Green	278
166	Medium Light Moss Green	280
167	Very Dark Yellow Beige	898
168	Very Light Pewter	398
169	Light Pewter	849
208	Very Dark Lavender	110
209	Dark Lavender	109
210	Medium Lavender	108
211	Light Lavender	342
221	Very Dark Shell Pink	897
223	Light Shell Pink	895
224	Very Light Shell Pink	893
225	Ultra Very Light Shell Pink	1026
300	Very Dark Mahogany	352
301	Medium Mahogany	1049
304	Medium Red	1006
307	Lemon	289
309	Ultra Very Dark Rose	42
310	Black	403
311	Medium Navy Blue	148
312	Very Dark Baby Blue	979
315	Medium Dark Antique Mauve	1019
316	Medium Antique Mauve	1017
317	Pewter Gray	400
318	Light Steel Gray	399
319	Very Dark Pistachio Green	218
320	Medium Pistachio Green	215
321	Red	9046
322	Dark Baby Blue	978
326	Very Dark Rose	59
327	Dark Violet	100
333	Very Dark Blue Violet	119
334	Medium Baby Blue	977
335	Rose	38
336	Navy Blue	150
340	Medium Blue Violet	118
341	Light Blue Violet	117
347	Very Dark Salmon	1025
349	Dark Coral	13
350	Medium Coral	11
351	Coral	10
352	Light Coral	9
353	Peach	6
355	Dark Terra Cotta	1014
356	Medium Terra Cotta	5975
367	Dark Pistachio Green	217
368	Light Pistachio Green	214
369	Very Light Pistachio Green	1043
370	Medium Mustard	855
371	Mustard	854
372	Light Mustard	853
400	Dark Mahogany	351
402	Very Light Mahogany	1047
407	Dark Desert Sand	914
413	Dark Pewter Gray	236
414	Dark Steel Gray	235
415	Pearl Gray	398
420	Dark Hazelnut Brown	374
422	Light Hazelnut Brown	943
433	Medium Brown	358
434	Light Brown	310
435	Very Light Brown	1046
436	Tan	1045
437	Light Tan	362
444	Dark Lemon	290
445	Light Lemon	288
451	Dark Shell Gray	233
452	Medium Shell Gray	232
453	Light Shell Gray	231
469	Avocado Green	267
470	Light Avocado Green	267
471	Very Light Avocado Green	266
472	Ultra Light Avocado Green	253
498	Dark Red	1005
500	Very Dark Blue Green	683
501	Dark Blue Green	878
502	Blue Green	877
503	Medium Blue Green	876
504	Very Light Blue Green	1042
505	Jade Green	—
517	Dark Wedgwood	162
518	Light Wedgwood	1039
519	Sky Blue	1038
520	Dark Fern Green	862
522	Fern Green	860
523	Light Fern Green	859
524	Very Light Fern Green	858
535	Very Light Ash Gray	401
543	Ultra Very Light Beige	933
550	Very Dark Violet	102
552	Medium Violet	99
553	Violet	98
554	Light Violet	96
561	Very Dark Jade	212
562	Medium Jade	210
563	Light Jade	208
564	Very Light Jade	206
580	Dark Moss Green	281
581	Moss Green	280
597	Turquoise	1064
598	Light Turquoise	1062
600	Very Dark Cranberry	59
601	Dark Cranberry	57
602	Medium Cranberry	63
603	Cranberry	62
604	Light Cranberry	55
605	Very Light Cranberry	1094
606	Bright Orange-Red	334
608	Bright Orange	332
610	Dark Drab Brown	889
611	Drab Brown	898
612	Light Drab Brown	832
613	Very Light Drab Brown	831
632	Ultra Very Dark Desert Sand	936
640	Very Dark Beige Gray	903
642	Dark Beige Gray	392
644	Medium Beige Gray	830
645	Very Dark Beaver Gray	273
646	Dark Beaver Gray	8581
647	Medium Beaver Gray	1040
648	Light Beaver Gray	900
666	Bright Red	46
676	Light Old Gold	891
677	Very Light Old Gold	886
680	Dark Old Gold	901
699	Green	923
700	Bright Green	228
701	Light Green	227
702	Kelly Green	226
703	Chartreuse	238
704	Bright Chartreuse	256
712	Cream	926
718	Plum	88
720	Dark Orange Spice	326
721	Medium Orange Spice	925
722	Light Orange Spice	323
725	Medium Light Topaz	305
726	Light Topaz	295
727	Very Light Topaz	293
728	Topaz	—
729	Medium Old Gold	890
730	Very Dark Olive Green	845
731	Dark Olive Green	924
732	Olive Green	281
733	Medium Olive Green	280
734	Light Olive Green	279
738	Very Light Tan	361
739	Ultra Very Light Tan	387
740	Tangerine	316
741	Medium Tangerine	304
742	Light Tangerine	303
743	Medium Yellow	302
744	Pale Yellow	301
745	Light Pale Yellow	300
746	Off White	275
747	Very Light Sky Blue	158
754	Light Peach	1012
758	Very Light Terra Cotta	868
760	Salmon	1022
761	Light Salmon	1021
762	Very Light Pearl Gray	234
772	Very Light Yellow Green	259
775	Very Light Baby Blue	128
776	Medium Pink	24
777	Very Dark Raspberry	—
778	Very Light Antique Mauve	968
779	Dark Cocoa	—
780	Ultra Very Dark Topaz	309
781	Very Dark Topaz	308
782	Dark Topaz	307
783	Medium Topaz	306
791	Very Dark Cornflower Blue	178
792	Dark Cornflower Blue	941
793	Medium Cornflower Blue	176
794	Light Cornflower Blue	175
796	Dark Royal Blue	133
797	Royal Blue	132
798	Dark Delft Blue	131
799	Medium Delft Blue	136
800	Pale Delft Blue	144
801	Dark Coffee Brown	359
803	Ultra Very Dark Baby Blue	—
806	Medium Dark Wedgwood	169
807	Peacock Blue	168
809	Delft Blue	130
813	Light Blue	161
814	Dark Garnet	45
815	Medium Garnet	43
816	Garnet	1005
817	Very Dark Coral Red	13
818	Baby Pink	23
819	Light Baby Pink	271
820	Very Dark Royal Blue	134
822	Light Beige Gray	390
823	Dark Navy Blue	152
824	Very Dark Blue	164
825	Dark Blue	162
826	Medium Blue	161
827	Very Light Blue	160
828	Ultra Very Light Sky Blue	9159
829	Very Dark Golden Olive	906
830	Dark Golden Olive	277
831	Medium Golden Olive	277
832	Golden Olive	907
833	Light Golden Olive	907
834	Very Light Golden Olive	874
838	Very Dark Beige Brown	1088
839	Dark Beige Brown	1086
840	Medium Beige Brown	1084
841	Light Beige Brown	1082
842	Very Light Beige Brown	1080
844	Ultra Dark Beaver Gray	1041
869	Very Dark Hazelnut Brown	944
890	Ultra Dark Pistachio Green	218
891	Dark Carnation	35
892	Medium Carnation	33
893	Light Carnation	28
894	Very Light Carnation	27
895	Very Dark Hunter Green	1044
898	Very Dark Coffee Brown	360
899	Medium Rose	52
900	Dark Burnt Orange	333
902	Very Dark Garnet	897
904	Very Dark Parrot Green	258
905	Dark Parrot Green	257
906	Medium Parrot Green	256
907	Light Parrot Green	255
909	Very Dark Emerald Green	923
910	Dark Emerald Green	229
911	Medium Emerald Green	205
912	Light Emerald Green	209
913	Medium Nile Green	204
915	Dark Plum	1029
917	Medium Plum	89
918	Dark Red Copper	341
919	Red Copper	340
920	Medium Copper	1004
921	Copper	1003
922	Light Copper	1003
924	Very Dark Gray Green	851
926	Medium Gray Green	850
927	Light Gray Green	848
928	Very Light Gray Green	274
930	Dark Antique Blue	1035
931	Medium Antique Blue	1034
932	Light Antique Blue	1033
934	Black Avocado Green	862
935	Dark Avocado Green	861
936	Very Dark Avocado Green	269
937	Medium Avocado Green	268
938	Ultra Dark Coffee Brown	381
939	Very Dark Navy Blue	152
943	Medium Aquamarine	188
945	Tawny	881
946	Medium Burnt Orange	332
947	Burnt Orange	330
948	Very Light Peach	1011
950	Light Desert Sand	4146
951	Light Tawny	1010
954	Nile Green	203
955	Light Nile Green	206
956	Geranium	40
957	Pale Geranium	50
958	Dark Seagreen	187
959	Medium Seagreen	186
961	Dark Dusty Rose	76
962	Medium Dusty Rose	75
963	Ultra Very Light Dusty Rose	73
964	Light Seagreen	185
966	Medium Baby Green	206
967	Very Light Apricot	—
970	Light Pumpkin	316
971	Pumpkin	316
972	Deep Canary	298
973	Bright Canary	297
975	Dark Golden Brown	355
976	Medium Golden Brown	1001
977	Light Golden Brown	1002
986	Very Dark Forest Green	246
987	Dark Forest Green	244
988	Medium Forest Green	243
989	Forest Green	242
991	Dark Aquamarine	1076
992	Light Aquamarine	1072
993	Very Light Aquamarine	1070
995	Dark Electric Blue	410
996	Medium Electric Blue	433
3011	Dark Khaki Green	846
3012	Medium Khaki Green	844
3013	Light Khaki Green	842
3021	Very Dark Brown Gray	905
3022	Medium Brown Gray	8581
3023	Light Brown Gray	1040
3024	Very Light Brown Gray	397
3031	Very Dark Mocha Brown	905
3032	Medium Mocha Brown	903
3033	Very Light Mocha Brown	391
3041	Medium Antique Violet	871
3042	Light Antique Violet	870
3045	Dark Yellow Beige	888
3046	Medium Yellow Beige	887
3047	Light Yellow Beige	852
3051	Dark Green Gray	681
3052	Medium Green Gray	262
3053	Green Gray	261
3064	Desert Sand	883
3072	Very Light Beaver Gray	847
3078	Very Light Golden Yellow	292
3325	Light Baby Blue.	129
3326	Light Rose	36
3328	Dark Salmon	1024
3340	Medium Apricot	329
3341	Apricot	328
3345	Dark Hunter Green	268
3346	Hunter Green	267
3347	Medium Yellow Green	266
3348	Light Yellow Green	264
3350	Ultra Dark Dusty Rose	59
3354	Light Dusty Rose	74
3362	Dark Pine Green	263
3363	Medium Pine Green	262
3364	Pine Green	260
3371	Black Brown	382
3607	Light Plum	87
3608	Very Light Plum	86
3609	Ultra Light Plum	85
3685	Very Dark Mauve	1028
3687	Mauve	68
3688	Medium Mauve	66
3689	Light Mauve	49
3705	Dark Melon	35
3706	Medium Melon	33
3708	Light Melon	31
3712	Medium Salmon	1023
3713	Very Light Salmon	1020
3716	Very Light Rose	25
3721	Dark Shell Pink	896
3722	Medium Shell Pink	1027
3726	Dark Antique Mauve	1018
3727	Light Antique Mauve	1016
3731	Very Dark Dusty Rose	76
3733	Dusty Rose	75
3740	Dark Antique Violet	873
3743	Very Light Antique Violet	869
3746	Dark Blue Violet	1030
3747	Very Light Blue Violet	120
3750	Very Dark Antique Blue	1036
3752	Very Light Antique Blue	1032
3753	Ultra Very Light Antique Blue	1031
3755	Baby Blue	140
3756	Ultra Very Light Baby Blue	1037
3760	Medium Wedgwood	169
3761	Light Sky Blue	928
3765	Very Dark Peacock Blue	170
3766	Light Peacock Blue	167
3768	Dark Gray Green	779
3770	Very Light Tawny	1009
3771	Ultra Very Light Terra Cotta	—
3772	Very Dark Desert Sand	1007
3773	Medium Desert Sand	1008
3774	Very Light Desert Sand	778
3776	Light Mahogany	1048
3777	Very Dark Terra Cotta	1015
3778	Light Terra Cotta	1013
3779	Very Light Rosewood	1012
3781	Dark Mocha Brown	904
3782	Light Mocha Brown	899
3787	Dark Brown Gray	273
3790	Ultra Dark Beige Gray	393
3799	Very Dark Pewter Gray	236
3801	Very Dark Melon	1098
3802	Very Dark Antique Mauve	1019
3803	Dark Mauve	972
3804	Dark Cyclamen Pink	63
3805	Cyclamen Pink	62
3806	Light Cyclamen Pink	62
3807	Cornflower Blue	122
3808	Ultra Very Dark Turquoise	1068
3809	Very Dark turquoise	1066
3810	Dark Turquoise	1066
3811	Very Light Turquoise	1060
3812	Very Dark Seagreen	188
3813	Light Blue Green	875
3814	Aquamarine	1074
3815	Dark Celadon Green	877
3816	Celadon Green	876
3817	Light Celadon Green	875
3818	Ultra Very Dark Emerald Green	923
3819	Light Moss Green	278
3820	Dark Straw	306
3821	Straw	305
3822	Light Straw	295
3823	Ultra Pale Yellow	386
3824	Light Apricot	8
3825	Pale Pumpkin	323
3826	Golden Brown	1049
3827	Pale Golden Brown	311
3828	Hazelnut Brown	373
3829	Very Dark Old Gold	901
3830	Terra Cotta	5975
3831	Dark Raspberry	29
3832	Medium Raspberry	28
3833	Light Raspberry	26
3834	Dark Grape	100
3835	Medium Grape	98
3836	Light Grape	90
3837	Ultra Dark Lavender	100
3838	Dark Lavender Blue	177
3839	Medium Lavender Blue	176
3840	Light Lavender Blue	117
3841	Pale Baby Blue	9159
3842	Very Dark Wedgwood	164
3843	Electric Blue	1089
3844	Dark Bright Turquoise	410
3845	Medium Bright Turquoise	1089
3846	Light Bright Turquoise	1090
3847	Dark Teal Green	1076
3848	Medium Teal Green	1074
3849	Light Teal Green	1070
3850	Dark Bright Green	189
3851	Light Bright Green	187
3852	Very Dark Straw	306
3853	Dark Autumn Gold	1003
3854	Medium Autumn Gold	313
3855	Light Autumn Gold	311
3856	Ultra Very Light Mahogany	1010
3857	Dark Rosewood	936
3858	Medium Rosewood	1007
3859	Light Rosewood	914
3860	Cocoa	379
3861	Light Cocoa	378
3862	Dark Mocha Beige	358
3863	Medium Mocha Beige	379
3864	Light Mocha Beige	376
3865	Winter White	2
3866	Ultra Very Light Mocha	926

Thread colors are not identical between brands — use the Anchor number as a closest match, not an exact duplicate. A “—” means no close Anchor equivalent exists for that DMC color (typically newer or specialty shades). CXC threads use DMC-equivalent numbering — this chart applies to CXC → Anchor conversions as well.

Why DMC and Anchor Numbers Don't Match

DMC and Anchor are independent companies with separate numbering systems developed decades apart. DMC uses a numeric system (150–3866 plus B5200, BLANC, ECRU) while Anchor uses its own range (1–1098 plus specialty codes like 9046 and 9159). There is no formula to convert between them — it requires a lookup table based on the closest color match between the two ranges. Some DMC colors have no Anchor equivalent because they fall between existing Anchor shades or represent newer colors added after the standard conversion tables were established.

CXC Threads and DMC Equivalents

CXC (Cross Stitch Collection) threads are manufactured to match DMC colors and use the same numbering system — CXC 310 is the CXC equivalent of DMC 310 (black), CXC 321 matches DMC 321 (red), and so on. This means you can use this DMC-to-Anchor chart for CXC-to-Anchor conversions without any adjustment. Simply find the CXC number in the DMC column and use the Anchor equivalent shown. CXC threads are widely available in the UK and Australia as a lower-cost alternative to DMC while maintaining pattern compatibility.

DMC to Anchor: Common Colors Quick Reference

The most-used colors in cross-stitch patterns: DMC 310 (Black) = Anchor 403. DMC White (BLANC) = Anchor 2. DMC B5200 (Snow White) = Anchor 1. DMC Ecru = Anchor 387. DMC 321 (Red) = Anchor 9046. DMC 666 (Bright Red) = Anchor 46. DMC 700 (Bright Green) = Anchor 228. DMC 796 (Dark Royal Blue) = Anchor 133. DMC blanc and B5200 are the two white DMC threads — BLANC is a warm off-white, B5200 is a pure bright white. BLANC converts to Anchor 2 (White), B5200 converts to Anchor 1 (Snow White). In patterns, they are interchangeable for most projects but visible side-by-side.

DMC to Anchor Conversion Chart

How to Use This Chart

Why DMC and Anchor Numbers Don't Match

CXC Threads and DMC Equivalents

DMC to Anchor: Common Colors Quick Reference

DMC to Anchor Conversion FAQ

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