Image to Cross Stitch
Turn any picture into a counted cross stitch chart you can actually follow.
Drag & drop your image here, or click to choose. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
This free pattern maker converts your image into a counted cross stitch chart: a numbered grid with a symbol in every square, matched to real DMC floss colours, plus a key listing each thread and how many stitches it needs. Choose how many stitches wide the design should be and how many colours you are willing to buy. Everything is generated in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn a photo into a cross stitch pattern?
Drop your image in, choose how many stitches wide you want the finished piece, and pick how many floss colours to use. The chart, the symbols and the DMC colour key are generated instantly, and you can download the chart as an image to print.
How big will the finished piece be?
Divide the stitch count by the count of your fabric. On 14-count aida a 80-stitch-wide design is about 5.7 inches wide; on 18-count the same design is 4.4 inches. The tool tells you the finished size on 14-count as you adjust the settings.
How many colours should I use?
Ten to fifteen is the sweet spot for most photographs — enough for the subject to read clearly without an unmanageable number of thread changes. Simple graphics and logos often work with five or fewer.
Are these real DMC thread numbers?
Yes. Each square is matched to the nearest colour from a palette of standard DMC floss shades, and the key lists the DMC number and name so you can buy the threads directly. The match is the closest available, so subtle shades may be approximated.
Why do the grid lines get darker every ten squares?
That is the standard counted-chart convention — the heavier line every ten stitches is what lets you keep your place while stitching, exactly like a printed pattern from a magazine.