Floss color converter: DMC ↔ Anchor, Gamma, PNK, Madeira — both directions
Convert between every popular cross-stitch floss brand in either direction. Pick the From palette and the To palette — the table updates instantly. DMC ↔ Anchor uses the official industry cross-reference; every other pair is computed by perceptual color distance (CIE LAB ΔE), with the match quality shown on every row.
Why floss conversions are never perfect
Every thread maker dyes its own range. Two skeins called "red" in different catalogues are almost always slightly different shades — the same way two pots of red paint from different brands won't match exactly. DMC and Anchor publish an official cross-reference because their palettes broadly mirror each other; Gamma, PNK and Madeira don't publish such a table.
This converter combines both approaches:
- DMC ↔ Anchor (both directions) — pulled from the published industry-standard list used by Pattern Maker, MacStitch and FlossCross (~450 mapped colors).
- Every other pair — closest match computed in CIE LAB color space. Each row shows ΔE: under 2 is excellent, 2–5 is a good substitute, 5–10 you'll notice in side-by-side stitches, over 10 means there's no real equivalent in that brand.
Built into the ixo cross-stitch editor
All five palettes — DMC, Anchor, Gamma, PNK and Madeira — ship with the free ixo editor. Switch between them with one click, import OXS/PDF patterns, export print-ready PDF and PNG, and use the converter while you stitch.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DMC to Anchor conversion 1-to-1?
No. Both ranges have unique shades the other doesn't carry — some Anchor variegated and metallic colors have no DMC equivalent and vice versa. Roughly 90% of the DMC range has a published Anchor substitute, and that's what this table shows. If a DMC code isn't in the Anchor column, the official list has no equivalent for it.
How accurate are the approximate matches?
For any pair other than DMC ↔ Anchor it's a perceptual approximation, not an official mapping. Each row shows ΔE — the color distance in CIE LAB space. Under 2 is essentially invisible to the human eye. 2–5 you might pick out in a side-by-side stitch but not in a full pattern. 5–10 is a noticeable but usable substitute. Above 10 the colors are genuinely different — usually because that shade simply isn't covered by the target brand.
What is ΔE and why does it matter?
ΔE is the standard scientific measure of color difference in the CIE LAB color space — designed to roughly match how the human eye perceives differences. It's used by every printing, paint and textile lab. ΔE = 0 means identical; ΔE = 1 is the smallest difference a trained eye can spot; ΔE > 10 is "obviously different color." We compute it row-by-row so you can decide whether a substitution is acceptable for your project. (For the curious: we use ΔE76, which is sufficient for floss-shade comparison; CIEDE2000 would change a few buckets at the margins but not the headline matches.)
Why doesn't PNK have color names?
The PNK Kirov factory (Russia) labels its threads by code only — there are no published English or descriptive names. The ixo editor uses the raw codes the same way embroiderers buying PNK in Russia do.
Can I convert in the other direction (Anchor → DMC, Gamma → DMC, …)?
Yes. Use the From selector above the table to pick the palette you're starting from, and To to pick the palette you want to convert into — all 20 combinations between DMC, Anchor, Gamma, PNK and Madeira are supported. DMC ↔ Anchor uses the official cross-reference in either direction; all other pairs are nearest-match in CIE LAB.
Where does the official DMC ↔ Anchor data come from?
From the published cross-stitch community standard cross-reference (the same list used by Pattern Maker, MacStitch and FlossCross). About 450 DMC colors have a documented Anchor substitute; the remainder don't have an official equivalent. Read more about palettes in the editor.
Are these brands affiliated with ixostitch?
No. DMC, Anchor (Coats), Gamma, PNK Kirov and Madeira are all independent thread manufacturers. ixo is not affiliated with any of them; we use their public color codes and names so you can match your stash. All brand names are trademarks of their respective owners.