Cross-stitch pattern from an image

Convert a photo or drawing into a printable cross-stitch grid: each square gets a symbol linked to a thread color, with a complete symbol/color legend.

Example:
Drag and drop an image, or click to browse (25 MB max)

How it works

A cross-stitch pattern traditionally links a distinct symbol to each thread color, so the pattern can be followed even in printed black and white. The tool reduces your image to a grid of squares, extracts a reduced thread color palette, then assigns to each square a unique symbol matching the closest color to its average hue.

Why use symbols instead of colors directly?

Symbols remain readable even on a black-and-white printout or with a low-end printer, unlike colors that can become hard to tell apart. This is the convention used by most commercial cross-stitch patterns.

How many thread colors are reasonable for a first project?

Between 4 and 8 colors is enough for most simple designs (flowers, animals, letters) and stays easy to follow without confusing symbols. Save palettes of 12 colors or more for detailed patterns meant for advanced stitchers.

100% local processing: palette extraction (WebAssembly) and grid computation (JavaScript) run entirely in your browser, with no file upload.