Cross stitch
chart generator.
Turn your photo into a stitchable pattern. Choose your size and colors, then download a clear symbol chart. Free, private, and made for making.
Make something personal.
Your browser is the studioYour stitch chart will appear here.
PDF includes a thread key and numbered chart tiles. Project files keep your editable stitches. Download a backup before clearing browser data.
Ready when you are.
Edit stitches & choose thread colors
Choose a thread below, then click or drag over the chart. Pinch and page scrolling work outside the chart; zoom using the slider. For keyboard editing, enter a stitch position.
Thread key
DMC references are approximate screen matches, not a guarantee. Compare real thread before purchasing.
How big will it be?
A chart you can actually stitch.
Every colored cell is one full cross. The PDF uses the same symbol for each thread on every page, with ten-stitch grid lines and numbered tiles.
Thread estimates include a 20% allowance and vary with technique. This version creates full crosses; it does not generate backstitch or fractional stitches.
How the generator works →Three small steps. One very personal project.
A clear subject works wonders.
Start with a crisp photo, simple illustration, or a crop that puts the important detail front and center. Use images you have permission to stitch.
Find your stitch budget.
Preview a smaller chart first. Compare a few color counts, then use the optional stitch editor to tidy up details.
Take your pattern with you.
Download a symbol PDF and project backup. Pick your fabric, check your real thread colors, and stitch at your own pace.
A better chart starts here.
How to choose a photo that makes a clear cross-stitch chart
Pick a source photo, crop it for your stitch budget, and compare small previews before committing to a chart.
Read the guide ↗Stitch count and fabric size: calculate the finished dimensions
Calculate Aida dimensions, compare fabric counts, and add finishing margins with worked examples.
Read the guide ↗How to reduce confetti without erasing important detail
Clean isolated stitches deliberately, protect small features, and compare edits with a practical confetti audit.
Read the guide ↗How many colors should a photo cross-stitch pattern use?
Compare palette limits fairly and choose colors for recognition, shading and manageable stitching.
Read the guide ↗Why a DMC color match on screen is only a starting point
Understand RGB approximations, compare real thread, and test the shades that matter before stitching a photo chart.
Read the guide ↗How to print a cross-stitch chart at 100 percent
Choose readable pages, test a print, and avoid accidental scaling when printing chart tiles or a large PDF.
Read the guide ↗Before you thread the needle.
Is this cross stitch chart generator free?
Yes. Photo conversion, stitch editing, project backups and PDF, PNG and SVG downloads are free. There is no account or subscription.
Are my photos uploaded anywhere?
No. Image processing happens in your browser. Your current stitch project is saved locally on this browser, not in an online account. Download a project file if you want a portable backup.
Will the generated colors match DMC thread exactly?
No screen-based match is exact. We use an approximate RGB reference and perceptual color matching to suggest DMC colors. Screens, lighting and real thread differ. Check against actual thread or a physical color card, especially for portraits.
Can I print a large pattern over several pages?
Yes. Download PDF chart for a shared thread key followed by tiles of up to 40 by 50 stitches. Numbered rows and columns help you join the pages. A chart cell is a reading aid, not an actual-size fabric square.
Can I sell a pattern made here?
You keep your rights in your own original work. You are responsible for permission to use source images and for checking the final pattern. A conversion does not grant rights to another artist’s work, logo, character or photograph.
What makes a photo hard to convert?
A small stitch budget, busy background, soft focus or subtle facial details can make a chart muddy. Crop closer, increase stitch dimensions, or simplify the background before conversion. Increasing colors alone usually does not fix an image that needs more stitches.