Image to Cross Stitch Converter
Convert an image into a cross-stitch style pattern grid. Upload an image, adjust the grid size and color count, and download a chart to follow.
Click to upload an image
Your file is processed entirely in your browser
Recommended Settings
Pro Tips
- •A smaller grid width produces a simpler, more abstract pattern that's faster to stitch, while a larger grid preserves more detail
- •Fewer color levels reduce the number of thread colors you'd need, which keeps the project simpler and cheaper
- •The gridlines in the output represent the stitch grid - each colored cell represents one cross-stitch
- •The whole file is processed locally in your browser - nothing is uploaded anywhere
Most Popular
Most users start with a 50-stitch grid and 4 color levels for a manageable beginner-friendly pattern
When to Use This Tool
Turn a photo or drawing into a grid-based chart you can follow to cross-stitch it.
Use the color-quantized grid as a reference for creating pixel art in another tool.
Estimate how many stitches and colors a design will need before starting a physical project.
Reduce a detailed photo down to a simplified color palette and grid for any craft that works in discrete cells.
How It Works
Read the uploaded image and decode it using the browser's native image support
Downscale the image to a small grid matching the selected stitch width
Reduce each cell's color to the selected number of levels per channel to limit the total color palette
Render each cell as a colored square with gridlines, producing a chart-style pattern
100% Private
Files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.
Lightning Fast
Powered by Color quantization + grid rendering for optimal performance on modern browsers.
Open Source
Built with verified, open-source libraries. Fully transparent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tell me which thread colors to use?
This tool outputs the pattern as RGB colors on a grid, but it doesn't map those colors to specific embroidery floss brands or numbers. You'd need to match the displayed colors to your thread supplier's color chart separately.
How do I choose the right grid size?
Smaller grids (15-30 stitches wide) are quicker and simpler, good for beginners or small projects. Larger grids (60-100) capture more detail but take significantly longer to stitch.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. The entire conversion happens locally in your browser using the Canvas API. Your image never leaves your device.
Why does reducing color levels help?
Real cross-stitch projects use a limited palette of thread colors. Reducing the color levels approximates that limitation and keeps the number of distinct colors in your pattern manageable.
Can I print the pattern out?
Yes. The downloaded PNG can be printed directly, though at very large grid sizes you may want to print at a larger paper size or split it into sections for readability.