Free cross stitch pattern maker

Turn any photo into a printable cross stitch chart with real DMC thread colors, clear symbols and a shopping list of skeins.

Loading the pattern maker…

It runs in your browser, so the first load takes a moment.

How to make a cross stitch pattern from a photo

Three steps, about a minute. No software to install.

  1. Add your photo

    Pick a photo of a pet, a person, a place or your own drawing. Clear photos with a simple background work best.

  2. Choose size and colors

    Set the width in stitches and the number of thread colors. The preview updates as you go, matched to real DMC threads.

  3. Edit and download

    Fix single stitches, swap threads, then download a PDF with a cover, thread key and numbered chart pages.

Everything you need for a chart you can actually stitch

Real DMC thread matching

Colors are matched in a perceptual color space to 454 DMC colors, so the key lists threads you can buy.

Printable PDF charts

Numbered pages with a bold 10-stitch grid, center marks, a page map and black-and-white or color symbols.

Thread shopping list

Stitch counts and estimated skeins for every color on your fabric, plus finished size and how much fabric to buy.

Edit stitch by stitch

Draw, erase, fill, pick colors, merge similar threads and undo. Clean up stray single stitches automatically.

Private by design

Your photo is processed in your browser and never uploaded. Patterns are saved on your device.

Works everywhere

Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad and phones. Pinch to zoom on touch screens, scroll to zoom with a mouse.

Selling patterns on Etsy?

The Designer plan is made for pattern designers.

  • Sell-ready PDF booklets with your shop name and logo
  • No watermark and no mention of this site
  • OXS export for other cross stitch apps
See plans

Need a thread or a size?

Browse the full DMC color chart with numbers and names, or work out the finished size and fabric with the Aida fabric calculator.

New to it? Read how to turn a photo into a cross stitch pattern.

Questions

Is the cross stitch pattern maker really free?

Yes. Making a pattern, editing it and downloading the PDF chart and thread list are free, with no sign-up. Free PDFs carry a light watermark and a link to this site. Paid plans add clean PDFs and sell-ready designer booklets.

Do you upload or keep my photo?

No. Your photo is turned into a pattern inside your own browser and is never sent to a server. Saved patterns are stored in your browser on your device.

How big should my cross stitch pattern be?

Pattern size is counted in stitches. On 14-count Aida, 14 stitches make one inch, so an 80-stitch-wide pattern finishes at about 5.7 inches (14.5 cm). Portraits and pets usually look good from 100 to 150 stitches wide; simple icons work from 30 to 60.

How many colors should I use?

Photos usually need 20 to 35 thread colors to look natural. Logos, cartoons and simple artwork look cleaner with 6 to 15. Fewer colors also means fewer skeins to buy and less thread changing.

Which threads does it use?

Every color in your pattern is matched to one of 454 DMC stranded cotton colors, so you can buy exactly the threads on the key. Colors on screen are approximations of the real threads.

Can I edit the pattern after it is made?

Yes. Draw or erase single stitches, fill areas, swap any color for another DMC thread, merge two similar colors and undo any change. Your work is saved in the browser as you go.

Does it work on iPad, iPhone, Mac and Chromebook?

Yes. It runs in any modern browser, so there is nothing to install. On touch screens, pinch to zoom and drag to move around the chart.

Can I sell patterns I make here?

You can sell patterns made from your own photos and artwork. Do not use characters, logos or photos you do not have the rights to. The Designer plan removes our watermark and adds your shop name to the cover.