Guide
Perler Bead Color Chart and Palette Guide
Use this guide to understand how bead colors are selected, why digital colors shift, and how to choose a practical palette before exporting a pattern.
A bead color chart is the bridge between a digital image and the physical beads you can place on a pegboard. The closer the palette matches your available supplies, the easier the final pattern will be to build.
Pixelbead converts image colors to real bead palettes and shows color counts so you can plan supplies before printing.
Perler
Common in North America, good for classic fuse bead projects.
Hama
Popular in Europe, useful for midi and mini bead projects.
Artkal and MARD
Large color ranges that can help detailed portraits and anime patterns.
Why bead colors do not match screen colors exactly
Screens emit light, while beads reflect light. The same RGB value can look different depending on plastic finish, bead batch, lighting, and monitor calibration.
For that reason, a color chart should be treated as a planning tool, not a guarantee that the final craft will match the original photo perfectly.
How to choose a palette for a pattern
Start with the bead brand you already own. If you plan to buy supplies after generating the pattern, choose the brand that is easiest to source in your country.
- Use fewer colors for beginner projects and bold icon designs.
- Use more colors for portraits, pets, and soft gradients.
- Avoid mixing hard and soft bead types unless you have tested ironing results.
How Pixelbead uses color matching
Pixelbead compares image colors against selected bead palettes and picks the closest available bead color. It also gives a per-color count so you can spot colors that appear only a few times.
FAQ
Can I mix Perler and Hama beads?
You can mix some bead brands, but ironing behavior can vary. For important projects, test a small sample before using mixed brands in a large pattern.
Why does my exported pattern use unexpected colors?
The generator must choose from real available bead colors. If an exact digital color does not exist, it picks the closest match from the selected palette.
Related resources
Perler Bead Board Size Guide
Choose the right Perler bead board size and grid width for keychains, coasters, portraits, wall art, and printable bead patterns.
How to Make Perler Bead Patterns from Photos
Learn how to turn photos into Perler bead patterns with the right image, grid size, color count, bead palette, and printable export settings.
Anime Perler Bead Pattern Ideas
Learn how to convert anime portraits and character art into Perler bead patterns with clean outlines, controlled colors, and printable exports.