Hama to DMC conversion chart
All 92 Hama colors with the nearest DMC thread by CIEDE2000. 2 read as identical (ΔE under 1), 28 as very close (under 3) and 24 need a real compromise; the median gap is ΔE 3.8.
Updated
Hama fuse bead
Hama 18 Black
#141315 · RGB 20, 19, 21
Closest to Hama 18 in other brands
- DMC 310 Black ΔE 3.9 close
- Anchor 403 Black ΔE 3.9 close
- Madeira Black ΔE 3.9 close
- Perler Black ΔE 9.6 similar
- Artkal S S13 Black ΔE 7.1 similar
- Nabbi N01 Black ΔE 13.2 loose
Hama to DMC at a glance
| Hama colors in the chart | 92 |
|---|---|
| DMC colors to choose from | 489 |
| Identical (ΔE < 1) | 2 (2 %) |
| Very close (ΔE 1-3) | 28 (30 %) |
| Close (ΔE 3-6) | 38 (41 %) |
| Similar (ΔE 6-10) | 21 (23 %) |
| Loose (ΔE 10 or more) | 3 (3 %) |
| Median ΔE2000 | 3.8 |
| Distinct DMC colors used | 82 of 489 |
| Round trips back to the same Hama color | 75 of 92 |
Hama to DMC: every color
Sorted by Hama number. Each row links to both color pages; the quality word follows the ΔE bands above.
| Hama | Name | DMC | DMC name | ΔE2000 | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | White | 3753 | Antique Blue Ultra Very Light | 2.4 | very close |
| 02 | Cream | 772 | Yellow Green Very Light | 4.0 | close |
| 03 | Yellow | 444 | Lemon Dark | 4.2 | close |
| 04 | Orange | 900 | Burnt Orange Dark | 4.5 | close |
| 05 | Red | 817 | Coral Red Very Dark | 3.8 | close |
| 06 | Pink | 3733 | Dusty Rose | 2.5 | very close |
| 07 | Purple | 32 | Blueberry Dark | 7.3 | similar |
| 08 | Blue | 336 | Navy Blue | 7.5 | similar |
| 09 | Light Blue | 312 | Baby Blue Very Dark | 7.2 | similar |
| 10 | Green | 909 | Emerald Green Very Dark | 3.8 | close |
| 11 | Light Green | 959 | Sea Green Medium | 6.2 | similar |
| 12 | Brown | 938 | Coffee Brown Ultra Dark | 3.0 | close |
| 13 | Transparent Red | 321 | Red | 2.0 | very close |
| 14 | Transparent Yellow | 729 | Old Gold Medium | 4.4 | close |
| 15 | Transparent Blue | 322 | Baby Blue Dark | 7.4 | similar |
| 16 | Transparent Green | 913 | Nile Green Medium | 7.0 | similar |
| 17 | Grey | 414 | Steel Gray Dark | 6.2 | similar |
| 18 | Black | 310 | Black | 3.9 | close |
| 19 | Clear | 453 | Shell Gray Light | 1.8 | very close |
| 20 | Reddish Brown | 3777 | Terra Cotta Very Dark | 4.6 | close |
| 21 | Light Brown | 921 | Copper | 4.2 | close |
| 22 | Dark Red | 3777 | Terra Cotta Very Dark | 6.1 | similar |
| 24 | Translucent Purple | 32 | Blueberry Dark | 6.4 | similar |
| 25 | Translucent Brown | 632 | Desert Sand Ultra Very Dark | 1.6 | very close |
| 26 | Matt Rose | 758 | Terra Cotta Very Light | 1.9 | very close |
| 27 | Beige | 437 | Tan Light | 4.1 | close |
| 28 | Dark Green | 934 | Avocado Green Black | 7.8 | similar |
| 29 | Claret | 3831 | Raspberry Dark | 3.4 | close |
| 30 | Burgundy | 154 | Grape Very Dark | 6.8 | similar |
| 31 | Turquoise | 995 | Electric Blue Dark | 2.9 | very close |
| 32 | Neon Fuchsia | 3805 | Cyclamen Pink | 3.3 | close |
| 33 | Cerise | 335 | Rose | 5.7 | close |
| 34 | Neon Yellow | 307 | Lemon | 6.2 | similar |
| 35 | Neon Red | 350 | Coral Medium | 5.9 | close |
| 36 | Neon Blue | 803 | Baby Blue Ultra Very Dark | 7.1 | similar |
| 37 | Neon Green | 702 | Kelly Green | 5.6 | close |
| 38 | Neon Orange | 740 | Tangerine | 1.5 | very close |
| 39 | Fluorescent Yellow | 307 | Lemon | 4.8 | close |
| 40 | Fluorescent Orange | 946 | Burnt Orange Medium | 3.6 | close |
| 41 | Fluorescent Blue | 803 | Baby Blue Ultra Very Dark | 6.9 | similar |
| 42 | Fluorescent Green | 702 | Kelly Green | 7.7 | similar |
| 43 | Pastel Yellow | 17 | Yellow Plum Light | 3.0 | close |
| 44 | Pastel Red | 351 | Coral | 2.9 | very close |
| 45 | Pastel Purple | 30 | Blueberry Medium Light | 10.6 | loose |
| 46 | Pastel Blue | 826 | Blue Medium | 6.7 | similar |
| 47 | Pastel Green | 955 | Nile Green Light | 8.0 | similar |
| 48 | Pastel Pink | 209 | Lavender Dark | 11.5 | loose |
| 49 | Azure | 3843 | Electric Blue | 0.7 | identical |
| 55 | Green (Glow in the Dark) | 712 | Cream | 1.2 | very close |
| 56 | Red (Glow in the Dark) | 3825 | Pumpkin Pale | 4.2 | close |
| 57 | Blue (Glow in the Dark) | 800 | Delft Blue Pale | 1.1 | very close |
| 60 | Teddybear Brown | 741 | Tangerine Medium | 3.3 | close |
| 61 | Gold | 977 | Golden Brown Light | 2.9 | very close |
| 62 | Silver | 844 | Beaver Gray Ultra Dark | 2.2 | very close |
| 63 | Bronze | 779 | Cocoa Dark | 9.4 | similar |
| 64 | Pearl | 3024 | Brown Gray Very Light | 2.1 | very close |
| 70 | Light Grey | 932 | Antique Blue Light | 1.9 | very close |
| 71 | Dark Grey | 3750 | Antique Blue Very Dark | 4.5 | close |
| 72 | Translucent Pink | 603 | Cranberry | 3.6 | close |
| 73 | Translucent Aqua | 334 | Baby Blue Medium | 7.8 | similar |
| 74 | Translucent Lilac | 31 | Blueberry | 8.2 | similar |
| 75 | Tan | 3828 | Hazelnut Brown | 3.5 | close |
| 76 | Nougat | 632 | Desert Sand Ultra Very Dark | 2.5 | very close |
| 77 | Cloudy White | 644 | Beige Gray Medium | 4.4 | close |
| 78 | Light Peach | 3771 | Terra Cotta Ultra Very Light | 2.6 | very close |
| 79 | Apricot | 721 | Orange Spice Medium | 2.5 | very close |
| 82 | Plum | 917 | Plum Medium | 2.3 | very close |
| 83 | Petrol Blue | 517 | Wedgewood Dark | 4.1 | close |
| 84 | Olive Green | 937 | Avocado Green Medium | 2.7 | very close |
| 95 | Pastel Rose | 3354 | Dusty Rose Light | 2.9 | very close |
| 96 | Pastel Lilac | 3836 | Grape Light | 2.1 | very close |
| 97 | Pastel Ice Blue | 519 | Sky Blue | 2.8 | very close |
| 98 | Pastel Mint | 955 | Nile Green Light | 2.8 | very close |
| 101 | Eucalyptus | 368 | Pistachio Green Light | 0.8 | identical |
| 102 | Forest Green | 3346 | Hunter Green | 3.3 | close |
| 103 | Light Yellow | 307 | Lemon | 3.1 | close |
| 104 | Lime | 166 | Moss Green Medium Light | 3.7 | close |
| 105 | Light Apricot | 402 | Mahogany Very Light | 1.7 | very close |
| 106 | Light Lavender | 26 | Lavender Pale | 4.5 | close |
| 107 | Lavender | 799 | Delft Blue Medium | 3.5 | close |
| 108 | Aubergine | 939 | Navy Blue Very Dark | 10.6 | loose |
| 109 | Cloudy Grey | 646 | Beaver Gray Dark | 3.7 | close |
| 110 | Matcha | 3011 | Khaki Green Dark | 1.8 | very close |
| 111 | Dark Blush | 3860 | Cocoa | 3.8 | close |
| 112 | Blush | 3861 | Cocoa Light | 1.9 | very close |
| 113 | Aqua | 3814 | Aquamarine | 3.5 | close |
| 114 | Cherry Red | 498 | Red Dark | 3.3 | close |
| 115 | Bright Green | 3347 | Yellow Green Medium | 1.7 | very close |
| 116 | Midnight Blue | 939 | Navy Blue Very Dark | 9.4 | similar |
| 117 | Taupe Grey | 645 | Beaver Gray Very Dark | 4.7 | close |
| 118 | Maroon Red | 154 | Grape Very Dark | 3.7 | close |
| 119 | Sky Blue | 798 | Delft Blue Dark | 5.2 | close |
Hama colors with no close DMC match
The 10 widest gaps in this chart, from Hama 48 Pastel Pink (ΔE 11.5) down to Hama 42 Fluorescent Green (ΔE 7.7). Plan a blend, a different brand or a design change for these.
| Hama | Nearest DMC | ΔE2000 | Second choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hama 48 Pastel Pink | DMC 209 Lavender Dark | 11.5 | DMC 3608 (ΔE 12.1) |
| Hama 45 Pastel Purple | DMC 30 Blueberry Medium Light | 10.6 | DMC 3746 (ΔE 11.4) |
| Hama 108 Aubergine | DMC 939 Navy Blue Very Dark | 10.6 | DMC 791 (ΔE 11.5) |
| Hama 63 Bronze | DMC 779 Cocoa Dark | 9.4 | DMC 938 (ΔE 9.7) |
| Hama 116 Midnight Blue | DMC 939 Navy Blue Very Dark | 9.4 | DMC 820 (ΔE 10.1) |
| Hama 74 Translucent Lilac | DMC 31 Blueberry | 8.2 | DMC 3807 (ΔE 11.7) |
| Hama 47 Pastel Green | DMC 955 Nile Green Light | 8.0 | DMC 563 (ΔE 10.0) |
| Hama 73 Translucent Aqua | DMC 334 Baby Blue Medium | 7.8 | DMC 826 (ΔE 8.2) |
| Hama 28 Dark Green | DMC 934 Avocado Green Black | 7.8 | DMC 890 (ΔE 12.7) |
| Hama 42 Fluorescent Green | DMC 702 Kelly Green | 7.7 | DMC 703 (ΔE 9.7) |
How to use the Hama to DMC chart
33 % of Hama colors land under ΔE 3 in DMC, the range where a swap is hard to spot at arm's length, and 3 (3 %) sit at ΔE 10 or more, where DMC simply has no comparable shade. DMC offers 489 colors against Hama's 92, so most gaps come from hue coverage rather than count.
The chart is not symmetric. Going Hama → DMC → Hama, 75 of 92 colors come back to themselves; the other 17 land on a neighbor. Use the DMC to Hama chart when your pattern is keyed in DMC.
DMC 307 Lemon is the busiest target: it stands in for 3 different Hama colors (Hama 34, Hama 39 and Hama 103). A pattern converted wholesale can merge shades that were distinct, so check areas where those colors meet.
Going from beads to thread usually works well: DMC has 489 shades to pick from, so a Hama design can be stitched with 82 different DMC colors, one per bead color it maps to.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DMC equivalent of Hama 18?
DMC 310 Black is the closest DMC match to Hama 18 Black (ΔE 3.9, close). The runner-up is DMC 3371 Black Brown at ΔE 7.8.
How accurate is Hama to DMC conversion?
30 of 92 Hama colors (33 %) have a DMC match under ΔE 3 and the median gap is ΔE 3.8. Values are screen approximations, so treat close calls as a shortlist and compare real threads.
Which Hama colors have no good DMC match?
The widest gaps are Hama 48 (ΔE 11.5), Hama 45 (ΔE 10.6), Hama 108 (ΔE 10.6) and Hama 63 (ΔE 9.4). For these, consider a blend, a nearby shade from another brand, or recoloring that area.
Is the DMC to Hama chart this one reversed?
No. Each direction picks the nearest color from the other palette, so only 75 of 92 Hama colors survive a round trip unchanged. There is a separate DMC to Hama chart.