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Thread to Needle Size Chart

The right needle size depends on thread size, the material sewn, and machine capabilities. The Thread to Needle Size chart gives the range of needles used with the threads that we sell.

Thread Selections - Select a thread type to find the recommended needle by thread size.

 

Nylon Thread - Needle Sizes for sewing with nylon thread.

  • Nylon Thread Size 15 / Tex 16 / Govt. 00 - Use needle Sizes  70/10 to 80/12

  • Nylon Thread Size 33 / Tex 35 / Govt. AA - Use needle Sizes  80/12 to 90/14

  • Nylon Thread Size 46 / Tex 45 / Govt. B - Use needle Sizes  90/14 to 100/16

  • Nylon Thread Size 69 / Tex 70 / Govt. E - Use needle Sizes  100/16 to 110/18.  Please note: Size 69 is the thickest size nylon thread most home sewing machines can handle.

  • Nylon Thread Size 92 / Tex 90 / Govt. F - Use needle Sizes  110/18 to 125/20

  • Nylon Thread Size 138 / Tex 135 / Govt. FF - Use needle Sizes  120/19 to 140/22

  • Nylon Thread Size 207 / Tex 210 / Govt. 3-Cord - Use needle Sizes  140/22 to 180/24

  • Nylon Thread Size 277 / Tex 270 / Govt. 4-Cord - Use needle Sizes  180/24 to 230/26

  • Nylon Thread Size 346 / Tex 350 / Govt. 5-Cord - Use needle Sizes  230/26 to 280/28

  • Nylon Thread Size 415 / Tex 410 / Govt. 6-Cord - Use needle Sizes  280/28 to 330/30

  • Nylon Thread Size 554 / Tex 600 / Govt. 8-Cord - Use needle Sizes  330/30 to 360/32

Related Nylon Thread and Needle Information

 

Polyester Thread - Needle Sizes for sewing with polyester thread.

  • Polyester Thread Size 15 / Tex 16 / Govt. 00 - Use needle Sizes  70/10 to 80/12

  • Polyester Thread Size 46 / Tex 45 / Govt. B - Use needle Sizes  90/14 to 100/16

  • Polyester Thread Size 69 / Tex 70 / Govt. E - Use needle Sizes  100/16 to 110/18. Please note: Size 69 is the thickest size polyester thread most home sewing machines can handle.

  • Polyester Thread Size 92 / Tex 90 / Govt. F - Use needle Sizes  110/18 to 125/20

  • Polyester Thread Size 138 / Tex 135 / Govt. FF - Use needle Sizes  120/19 to 140/22

  • Polyester Thread Size 207 / Tex 210 / Govt. 3-Cord - Use needle Sizes  140/22 to 180/24

  • Polyester Thread Size 277 / Tex 270 / Govt. 4-Cord - Use needle Sizes  180/24 to 230/26

  • Polyester Thread Size 346 / Tex 350 / Govt. 5-Cord - Use needle Sizes  230/26 to 280/28

  • Polyester Thread Size 415 / Tex 410 / Govt. 6-Cord - Use needle Sizes  280/28 to 330/30

  • Polyester Thread Size 554 / Tex 600 / Govt. 8-Cord - Use needle Sizes  330/30 to 360/32

Related Polyester Thread and Needle Information

 

Kevlar Thread - Needle sizes for sewing with Kevlar thread.

  • Kevlar Thread Size 46 / Tex 40 (T-40) / Gov't Size B - Use needle Sizes 90/14 to 100/16

  • Kevlar Thread Size 69 / Tex 60 (T-60) or Tex 70 (T-70) / Gov't Size E / - Use needle Sizes 100/16 to 110 /18. Please note: Size 69 is the thickest size Kevlar thread most home sewing machines can handle.

  • Kevlar Thread Size 92 / Tex 80 (T-80) or Tex 90 (T-90) / Gov't Size F - Use needle Sizes 110/18 to 125/20

  • Kevlar Thread Size 138 / Tex 120 (T-120) / Gov't Size FF - Use needle Sizes 125/20 to 140/22

  • Kevlar Thread Size 207 / Tex 210 (T-210) / Gov't Size 3-Cord - Use needle Sizes 140/22 to 180/24

  • Kevlar Thread Size 346 / Tex 400 (T-400) / Gov't Size 3-Cord - Use needle Sizes 230/26 to 260/28

  • Kevlar Thread Tex 800 Commercial Size N/A, Tex 800 (T-800), Gov't Size N/A - Use needle Sizes N/A

Related Kevlar Thread and Needle Information

 

Monofilament Thread - Needle sizes for sewing with Monofilament thread.

  • Monofilament Size .004 / Tex 8 (T-8) / 85 Denier (85/D) - Use Needle Sizes 55/7 to 65/9

  • Monofilament Size .005 / Tex 14 (T-14) / 130 Denier (130/D) - Use Needle Sizes 65/9 to 70/10

  • Monofilament Size .006 / Tex 18 (T-18) / 180 Denier (180/D) - Use Needle Sizes 70/10 to 80/12

  • Monofilament Size .007 / Tex 27 (T-27) / 250 Denier (250/D) - Use Needle Sizes 75/11 to 80/12

  • Monofilament Size .008 / Tex 35 (T-35) / 330 Denier (330/D) - Use Needle Sizes 80/12 to 90/14

  • Monofilament Size .009 / Tex 45 (T-45) / 420 Denier (420/D) - Use Needle Sizes 90/14 to 100/16

  • Monofilament Size .010 / Tex 50 (T-50) / 520 Denier (520/D) - Use Needle Sizes 100/16 to 110/18. Please note: Size .010 is the thickest size monofilament thread most home sewing machines can handle.

  • Monofilament Size .011 / Tex 60 (T-60) / 620 Denier (620/D) - Use Needle Sizes 110/18 to 120/19

  • Monofilament Size .012 / Tex 80 (T-80) / 720 Denier (720/D) - Use Needle Sizes 120/19 to 125/20

Related Monofilament Thread and Needle Information

 

Embroidery Thread - Needle Sizes for 30 and 40 wt embroidery thread.

Please note: 30 weight is thicker than 40 weight embroidery thread.

Related Embroidery Thread and Needle Information

 

Cotton Thread - Needle Sizes for Cotton Thread

Please note: The higher weight number, the thinner the thread

  • 28-Weight Cotton Thread - Use Needle Sizes 110/18 to 130/21

  • 40-Weight Cotton Thread - Use Needle Sizes 80/12 to 90/14

  • 50-Weight Cotton Thread - Use Needle Sizes 70/10 to 90/14

  • 60-Weight Cotton Thread - Use Needle Sizes 65/9 to 80 / 12

Related Cotton Thread and Needle Information

 

Fire Retardant (FR) Thread - Needle Sizes for Fire Retardant (FR) Sewing and Embroidery Thread

  • Fire Retardant (FR) Embroidery Thread - 40 Weight - Use Needle Sizes 75/11 to 80/12

  • Fire Retardant Sewing Thread (Spun Kevlar and Spun Nomex - Listed Separately)

    • Tex 27 (T-27) to Tex 30 (T-30) - Use needle sizes 70 / 10 to 80 / 12

    • Tex 35 (T-35) to Tex 40 (T-40)  - Use needle sizes 80 / 12 to 90 / 14

    • Tex 45 (T-45) to Tex 50 (T-50) - Use needle sizes 90 / 14 to 100/ 16

    • Tex 60 (T-60) to Tex 70 (T-70) - Use needle sizes 100 / 16 to 110 / 18

    • Tex 90 (T-90) to Tex 105 (T-105) - Use needle sizes 110 / 18 to 125 / 20

    • Tex 135 (T-135) - Use needle sizes 110 / 18 to 125 / 20

Related Fire Retardant (FR) Thread and Needle Information

 

Bag Closing Thread - Needle Sizes for Bag Closing Thread

Related Bag Closing Thread and Needle Information

The Thread Exchange, Inc.
Thread and Needle Selections Nylon Thread Nylon Thread Nylon Thread Strong and easy to use. Great for sewing fabric, leather, canvas, and vinyl. 10 sizes. Some sizes have over 100 colors. Most home sewing machines can use up to size 69. Nylon Thread Polyester Thread Polyester Thread Polyester Thread Looks and feels like nylon thread, but with a greater UV resistance. This makes polyester great for outdoor use. Most home sewing machines can use up to size 69. Polyester Thread Robison-Anton thread Lower everyday price. Robison-Anton Our flagship embroidery thread brand. The full line of Robison-Anton polyester, rayon, J Metallic, Moonglow, variegated and Twister Tweed embroidery thread, and color cards. Robison-Anton Machine Needles 2,000 different needles Machine Needles We make it easier to buy the right needle with our Needle Buying Guide, Needle to Thread Size Guide, Machine to Needle Reference, and Groz-Beckert publications. Machine Needles Nylon Thread Kevlar (tm) Thread Kevlar (tm) Thread Strong and Heat Resistant. Kevlar thread is about 2.5 times stronger than nylon or polyester. It comes in a pale yellow color. It has almost no stretch, it doesn't melt, and ashes at 800F. Kevlar Thread Bobbins - Prewound Prewound Bobbins Nylon and Polyester bobbins in styles A, G, L, M, U, and other styles. Embroidery bobbins, Half price specials, and new budget-friendly 12-packs. Bobbins Hand Sewing Needles Hand Sewing Needles C.S. Osborne needles for hand sewing upholstery, leather, canvas, carpet, fabric, and darning.C.S. Osborne needles for hand sewing upholstery, leather, canvas, carpet, fabric, and darning. Hand Needles All Specials All Specials Over 1,200 thread and sewing needle specials all in one place. Many products are about 50% off their original price. All Specials Cotton Thread Mettler Cotton Thread The full line of Mettler in 28, 40, 50 and 60-Wt, Aurifil closeouts, Valdani closeouts and more. The lower the thread-weight number, the thicker the thread. Cotton Thread Thread - Stabilizers - Bobbins All Embroidery King spool closeouts as low as $3 per spool, metallic specials, stabilizers, bobbins, and much more. All Embroidery Sewing and Serger Thread Sewing Thread Regular stock includes Maxi-Lock and Maxi-Lock Stretch. Also featuring spun polyester closeouts, polyester-core closeouts, and more. Sewing Thread Monofilament Thread Monofilament Thread Clear nylon "invisible" monofilament thread. Transparent so stitches are as invisible as possible for inconspicuous stitch appearance. Monofilament Sewing and Serger Thread Sewing Thread Maxi-Lock, Maxi-Lock Stretch, spun polyester closeouts, polyester-core closeouts, and more. Sewing Thread Waxed Thread Waxed Thread Maine Thread in 6 sizes, close out coils, beeswax, tapered waxed cord, waxed linen blend and more. Waxed Thread Imitation Sinew Imitation Sinew Imitation sinew made from polypropylene or nylon. Waxed and flat. Easy to split to make thinner. Imitation Sinew Hand Stitching Thread Hand Stitching Thread Use of tubes of nylon, polyester, and Kevlar thread for hand sewing and with speedy stitcher awls. Hand Stitch Thread Sewing Accessories Sewing Accessories Thread cone holders, thread sock. elastic, scissors and shears, tape measures, and tool kits and cutters. Sewing Accessories Polyester-Linen Blend Polyester-Linen Polyester-Linen thread has brilliant colors and a silky, smooth texture. Ideal for fine leather and upholstery. Polyester-Linen Thread 1 mm Hemp Twine Hemp Twine Hemp is the strongest of all natural fibers. It is also also ultra-violet and salt water resistant. Hemp Twine Highest Operating Temp. PTFE Fiberglass PTFE coated fiberglass thread - operating temperatures to around 1022 F (550 C) after the PTFE coating burns off. PTFE Thread For sewing bags shut Bag Closing Thread FDA Compliant to 21-CFR-177.1630(f), 21-CFR-177.2800 and 21-CFR-178.3570. Bag Closing Thread For tight knots and cordage. Bank Line Bank line is a black polypropylene twine that is like tennis netting. It is strong and UV resistant. Bank Line Great for levitation tricks Magicians Thread When you separate the yarn filaments you get a strong thread that is invisible to your audience. Magicians Thread About our products Buying Guides Use our buying guides to learn more about the thread on our site and get the right thread and needles. Product Information