Needlepoint

Needlepoint patterns from a photo, or designed stitch by stitch

Convert an image into a counted needlepoint chart, or draw one on a blank grid. Size it to your mesh, keep the palette small, and follow it on screen or on paper.

Open the editor — free Browse free patterns

Start without an account
Free charts up to 500×500
Works on phone, tablet and desktop

A needlepoint chart of a bouquet of red and pink roses on a navy background

A needlepoint chart in three steps

From image to canvas.

Step 1
Set the size in stitches
Upload an image or open a blank grid, and set the width to match your canvas mesh and finished size.
Step 2
Choose your colours
Reduce the design to the yarn or thread colours you'll use, and swap any for colours you already own.
Step 3
Stitch from the chart
Follow it on a phone or tablet with the row highlighted, or print it with symbols.

Built for counted canvas work

Works in the browser, on any device.

Photo to chart

Convert an image in one step, with control over width, colour count, brightness and contrast.

Stitch-by-stitch editing

Pen, bucket fill, selection, symmetry and unlimited undo to perfect every detail.

Symbols for printing

Each colour gets its own symbol, so the chart reads clearly in black and white.

DMC matching

The PDF legend names the nearest DMC floss for every colour — useful for stranded cotton on fine mesh.

Stitch counts

See how many stitches each colour uses, to estimate how much yarn to buy.

Row-by-row reader

Highlights the current row, counts each run of colour and remembers where you stopped.

Charting needlepoint from a photo

Needlepoint covers every hole of the canvas, so the chart is the whole picture — background included.

Plan the background

Unlike cross stitch, needlepoint has no bare fabric: every cell is stitched. A plain background in one colour is quick to stitch and makes the subject stand out. Simplify busy backgrounds before you convert.

Match the chart to the mesh

Canvas is sold by mesh — holes per inch. A 100-stitch design is about 25 cm wide on 10 mesh and 14 cm on 18 mesh. Coarser mesh is faster and suits wool; finer mesh holds more detail. The table below shows the common sizes.

Keep the palette practical

Each colour is another skein to buy and another needle to thread. Most needlepoint designs look best with 10 to 25 colours. Merge near-identical shades and hand-fix the details that matter.

Choosing yarn

The legend gives the nearest DMC floss, which fits stranded cotton on fine canvas. For tapestry wool on coarser mesh, use the colour swatches to pick the closest shade in your brand.

Approximate finished width of a design 100 stitches wide.
Canvas	Holes per inch	Finished width
10 mesh	10	about 25.4 cm (10 in)
13 mesh	13	about 19.5 cm (7.7 in)
14 mesh	14	about 18.1 cm (7.1 in)
18 mesh	18	about 14.1 cm (5.6 in)

Needlepoint pattern maker — questions

Is the needlepoint pattern maker free?

Yes. Converting a photo, editing the chart and reading it on screen are free, on charts up to 500×500 stitches with up to 20 colours. Exporting needs a free account and includes a watermark; clean exports come with the Studio plan or a one-off unlock for a single pattern.

Can I print the chart in black and white?

Yes — switch the chart to symbols and every colour gets its own symbol.

Does it include thread numbers?

The PDF legend matches each colour to the nearest DMC floss. Tapestry wool numbers aren't included.

Can I paint the design onto canvas?

Gridely makes counted charts. You can also print the colour chart as a reference while painting a canvas by hand.

Can I use it on my phone?

Yes. The reader works on phones and tablets and keeps your place between sessions.

Other free pattern tools

Same editor, same chart — set up for a different craft.

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Crochet pattern makerC2C, graphgan and tapestry charts with a row-tracking reader.

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Knitting chart makerColorwork charts for Fair Isle and intarsia, with a row reader.

Hama & Perler bead patternsTurn a picture into a fuse bead pattern sized to your pegboards.

Bead loom patternsLoom and square stitch charts from a photo or a blank grid.

Latch hook patternsRug and cushion charts from a photo, with yarn counts per colour.

Diamond painting patternsYour own photo as a drill chart with DMC codes.

Plastic canvas patternsCharts for coasters, ornaments and boxes, sized to your sheet.

Filet crochet patternsTwo-colour mesh charts with a reader that zigzags with you.

Alpha bracelet patternsFriendship bracelet patterns from a name, a picture or a blank grid.

See how it all works

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