Bead Sizes report
A bead is a small decorative item made of different materials in various shapes and sizes, such as stone, shell, glass, plastic, wood, or pearls, with small holes for threading or threading. Beads range in size from less than 1 mm in diameter to over 1 cm in diameter.
The beads represent some of the earliest forms of jewelry, with a pair of beads made from the shell of a Nassarius sea snail about 100,000 years ago believed to be the earliest known example. You should confirm the diameter of the beads you want before choosing the beading gesture; usually, the size of the beads for the bracelet is the same.
Whether you are looking to buy bead bracelets/necklaces or want DIY bead jewelry at home, you must determine the best bead sizes for different designs and uses. The following guide is practical and handy for people looking for an easy way to compare bead sizes.
Bead Size Guide
It can be tricky if you plan to pair up new beads with beads you already have at home. The millimeter sizing can make it easier to order beads online or shop in stores. And some small items in daily life can also help you gauge bead size once you remember their size. In most cases, the diameter/length of round/cube/oval beads is applied to the actual bead, while the strand itself may be sold in inches. Once you have determined the bead size you need, you need to refer to a bead per inch chart to help you determine how many strands you need for a project or estimate the cost.
Common Beads Sizes
Almost all beads are measured on a metric scale in millimeters. One exception is seed beads, which use aught sizes.
| Round Bead | Cube Bead | Oval Bead |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | 2 mm | 5 x 3 mm |
| 2.5 mm | 2.5 mm | 6 x 4 mm |
| 3 mm | 2.7 mm | 7 x 5 mm |
| 3.5 mm | 3 mm | 8 x 6 mm |
| 4 mm | 3.5 mm | 9 x 7 mm |
| 4.5 mm | 4 mm | 10 x 8 mm |
| 5 mm | 4.5 mm | 11 x 9 mm |
| 5.5 mm | 5 mm | 12 x 10 mm |
| 6 mm | 5.5 mm | 14 x 10 mm |
| 6.5 mm | 6 mm | 16 x 12 mm |
| 7 mm | 6.5 mm | 18 x 13 mm |
| 7.5 mm | 7 mm | 22 x 8 mm |
| 8 mm | 7.5 mm | 25 x 18 mm |
| 8.5 mm | 8 mm | |
| 9 mm | 8.5 mm | |
| 10 mm | 9 mm | |
| 11 mm | 9.5 mm | |
| 12 mm | 10 mm | |
| 14 mm | ||
| 15 mm | ||
| 16 mm | ||
| 18 mm | ||
| 20 mm |
Beads per Inch
It is easy to predict how many beads you will need to make a piece of beaded jewelry. Once you know the size of the beads you need, you can easily figure out how many beads you need for one inch of jewelry. There is a handy chart to make it even easier. If you use spacer beads or mix sizes, this chart may not be accurate.
| Bead Size | Beads per Inch | Beads per 7" | Beads per 16" | Beads per 24" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mm | 12.5 | 74 | 200 | 300 |
| 3 mm | 8.3 | 57 | 133 | 200 |
| 4 mm | 6.25 | 43 | 100 | 150 |
| 5 mm | 5 | 35 | 80 | 120 |
| 6 mm | 4.2 | 28 | 66 | 99 |
| 7 mm | 3.6 | 24 | 57 | 86 |
| 8 mm | 3.13 | 22 | 50 | 75 |
| 10 mm | 2.5 | 18 | 40 | 60 |
| 12 mm | 2.1 | 15 | 33 | 50 |
| 14 mm | 1.75 | 13 | 29 | |
| 16 mm | 1.5 | 11 | 25 | |
| 18 mm | 1.25 | 10 | 23 | |
| 20 mm | 1.2 | 8 | 20 |
Seed Bead Size Chart
Seed beads are sized in the aughts, which are different than millimeters. The larger the size number, the smaller the bead.
| Aught Size | Diameter (mm) | Beads per Inch |
|---|---|---|
| 6/0 | 3.3 | 7 |
| 8/0 | 2.5 | 10 |
| 9/0 | 2.2 | 11 |
| 10/0 | 2.0 | 12 |
| 11/0 | 1.8 | 14 |
| 13/0 | 1.5 | 17 |
| 14/0 | 1.4 | 18 |
| 15/0 | 1.3 | 19 |
A bead size chart is one of the best ways to compare sizes and avoid purchasing smaller or larger beads than you expected. Determine the size before making online orders or planning projects, which will help you determine the length of the project or how many beads you will need for specific projects.
