🎯 Which thread is this?
Found a colour you love in a pattern, a photo or a friend's stitching? Pick it from a photo or enter a colour code, and we'll show you the closest thread from every brand.
Your photo never leaves your device: it is only opened in your browser. Just the colour you pick is sent to find matching threads.
Which of YOUR threads match?
Track your own thread stash in the JoyStitch app and see which of your threads match any colour, straight from your camera.
How it works
- Choose or take a photo of a skein, a finished piece or anything in the colour you're after
- Click or tap the exact spot: we read the average colour of a small area around it
- See the closest thread of each brand and open its colour page for more alternatives
Frequently asked questions
How does the thread colour finder work?
It reads the average colour of a small spot around where you click and compares it with the colour catalogue of DMC and more, using CIEDE2000: the standard formula for how different two colours look to the human eye.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The photo is only opened in your own browser. Just the colour you pick (a code like #E8A0B4) is sent to our server to find matching threads.
How accurate are the matches?
Light and camera settings change how a colour looks in a photo. Use daylight, avoid flash and shadows, and photograph skeins on a white background. Floss has a sheen and looks a little different on the skein than stitched on fabric, so treat the result as a strong starting point: the label shows how close each match is.
Which thread brands are included?
Every brand in the JoyStitch colour catalogue, including DMC. Each result links to the colour's own page with the closest alternatives in other brands.
Is it free?
Yes, completely free and you don't need an account. With a free JoyStitch account and your threads in your stash, you'll also see which of your own threads come closest.