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 Sizes and Measure Information

Get help with measurements, counts and abbreviations.
   BJ's Craft Supplies

 


 MEASUREMENT CONVERSIONS
Use this chart to help you convert measurements of one type to another.

 

Inch / Millimeter Conversion

Inch Millimeter Centimeter Decimal
1/16" 1.59 .159 .06
1/8" 3.18 .318 .13
3/16" 4.76 .476 .19
1/4" 6.35 .635 .25
5/16" 7.94 .794 .31
3/8" 9.53 .953 .38
7/16" 11.11 1.111 .44
1/2" 12.70 1.270 .50
9/16" 14.29 1.429 .56
5/8" 15.88 1.588 .63
11/16" 17.46 1.746 .69
3/4" 19.05 1.905 .75
13/16" 20.64 2.064 .81
7/8" 22.23 2.223 .88
15/16" 23.81 2.381 .94
1" 25.40 2.540 1.00

 


 

SAFETY PIN SIZES

 

Example of a standard safety pin.Standard safety pins come in various sizes and colors and can range in size from 3/4" to 4" long. Oddly enough, the size numbers do not reference the actual length. Below is a size chart that may help you. Keep in mind though that these are standard or common lengths. Actual lengths may vary slightly from brand to brand so if length is crucial it is best to ask the precise length of the brand you are considering.

Size Reference Length in Inches Length in Millimeters
#00 3/4" 19mm
#0 7/8" 22mm
#1 1 1/16" 27mm
#2 1 1/2" 38mm
#3 2" 51mm
#4 2 1/4" 57mm
#5 3" 76mm

 


 

MEASURES AND ABBREVIATIONS

 

Abbreviation Name Quantity
DZ Dozen 12 Pieces
GR Gross 144 Pieces
M Mille 1000 Pieces
G (or Gr) Gram .035 Ounces
K Kilogram 1000 Grams (2.2 Lbs)
OZ Ounce 28.35 Grams
LB (or #) Pound 16 Ounces (454 K)
M Meter 39.37 inches
CM Centimeter 10 MM (.394 inches)
MM Millimeter 1/10 CM (.394 inches)
IN Inch 2.54 CM (1/12 FT)
FT Foot 1/3 YD (12 inches)
YD Yard 36 inches (.914 Meters)

 


 

COUNT OF BEADS PER INCH
To use this chart simply multiply the number of pieces that correspond to the bead size you will be using and multiply that by the length of your bead string. For example, to do an 18" strand of 6mm beads you would need 80 beads (18 x 4.24)
Bead Size Count per Inch (Approx)
   2.5 mm 10.16 pc
   3 mm 8.47 pc
   3.5 mm 7.26 pc
   4 mm 6.35 pc
   5 mm 5.08 pc
   6 mm 4.24 pc
   8 mm 3.18 pc
   3 mm x 6 mm 4.24 pc

 


 

HOW MANY BEADS DO YOU NEED?
The chart shown below will help you to determine how many beads you will need to complete a strand of beads of uniform size t various lengths.
Bead Size Length of Strands
16" 18" 24"
4 mm 100 112 153
6 mm 68 76 100
8 mm 50 56 76
10 mm 40 45 61

 


 

SEED BEAD INFORMATION AND SIZING

Seed beads are sized using expressions such as 6/0 and 10/0. Generally, the smaller the number on the left, the larger the seed bead. Some beads are sold in hanks, which is measured a little different than yarns and other textile goods. A hank of beads is 12 strands of seed beads, folded in half and tied off. Some seed beads vary in size, color or shape from batch to batch. This variation can give your finished piece a special look of it's own. However, if you want your finished piece to be more consistent or uniform you will want to use Japanese seed beads, such as Toho beads or Miyuki Delica beads, which are the industry standard, usually sold by weight stated in grams.

The most popular thread for seed beading projects is a nylon monofilament thread, like Nymo.

Like seed beads, for needle sizes, the bigger the number, the finer the needle.

Size Measurement
Approximate
Hole Size
Approximate
Beads
Per
Inch
Suggested
Beading Needle
Size
Suggested
Thread
Size
6/0 4 mm 1.1 mm 8 Regular D or F
8/0 3.1 mm .90 - 1.5 mm 13 Regular D or F
10/0 2.3 mm .80 - 1 mm 16 10 or smaller B, D or F
11/0 2.1 mm .70 - .80 mm 17 11 or smaller O, B or D
12/0 1.9 mm .60 - .70 mm 19 12 or smaller A, OO, O or B
13/0 1.7 mm .50 mm 21 13 or smaller A, OO or O
15/0 1.3 mm .40 - .65 mm 25 13 or smaller A, OO or O

 


 

THREAD SIZING GUIDE
Deciding what type of cord or thread can be a challenge. As a general guide, if your beads are a soft material bead such as pearls or amber then a silk, polyester or nylon thread will do. If your beads are a hard material such glass or stone then you might want to use a polyester or nylon beading thread. For metal beads, large beads, rough texture beads or large holed beads you might want to use a strong thread like Tiger Tail™.

 

Thread Size Inches Millimeters
(mm)
OO .0050 .1270
O .0060 .1524
A .0070 .1778
B .0080 .2032
C .0108 .2743
D .0120 .3048
E .0128 .3251
F .0137 .3480
FF .015 .381
FFF .0165 .4191

 


 

Note: The graphs and charts provided below are for reference only and do not show sizes to correct scale and will vary based on your specific computer monitor configurations. We are not responsible for any errors resulting from the use of these graphs. Do not use these for exact sizing on your project.

 

POM POM SIZES
NOTE: Image is not to scale. Image is for reference only.
Sizer for beads and pearls

 


 

CABOCHON SIZES
NOTE: Image is not to scale. Image is for reference only.
Sizer for cabochons

 


 

HOLE SIZES FOR WOOD BEADS
NOTE: Image is not to scale. Image is for reference only.
Sizer for woodbeads

 


 

 

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