DMC vs. Anchor Thread: Which Cross Stitch Brand is Best?

All right, stitchy friends, grab your favorite mug of something warm, because we’re settling a debate that’s been going on in stitching circles for decades: DMC vs. Anchor thread — which one should actually be in your project bag?

If you’ve been stitching for more than a few months, you’ve probably noticed that most patterns list DMC color codes (hint, hint: mine do). But then you’re at the craft store, or scrolling through pictures of people’s stash, and there’s a whole shelf of Anchor floss looking just as pretty and wondering why nobody’s talking about it. Is one actually better? Does it matter which one you use? Are you doing it wrong if you reach for the “wrong” brand?

Deep breath. I’ve got you. Let’s break this down together, the same way I’d explain it if we were sitting across the table at a retreat with our project bags open.

A Quick Introduction to the Contenders

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s meet our two brands.

DMC has been making embroidery thread in Mulhouse, France, since 1746 — yes, really, nearly 300 years of thread-making history. It’s the brand most cross stitch pattern designers default to, which is why almost every chart you buy lists DMC numbers first. If you’ve only ever stitched with one brand, it’s probably this one.

Anchor, made by the company Coats, has its own long and respected history stretching back over a century, and it’s especially popular in the UK, Europe, and Australia. If you’ve ordered patterns or kits from designers overseas, you may have already met Anchor without realizing it.

Both are six-strand, mercerized cotton floss — meaning each skein separates into six thinner strands you can split apart depending on how much coverage you want. Both are considered high-quality, colorfast thread that can go the distance in a finished piece. So right off the bat, I want to put your mind at ease: you are not choosing between a “good” brand and a “bad” brand here. You’re choosing between two very good options with a few real differences worth knowing about.

Difference #1: Color Range and Numbering

This is probably the biggest practical difference between the two brands, and the one most likely to actually affect your next project.

DMC offers roughly 500 solid colors, plus specialty lines like variegated, metallic, and glow-in-the-dark threads for when you want to get a little extra. Anchor’s solid color range sits a bit smaller, generally cited around 444 to 450 colors, with its own ombre and multicolor options.

Here’s the part that trips people up: the two brands use completely different numbering systems. DMC codes run roughly from 1 into the 3000s, grouped so that similar shades cluster together numerically. Anchor’s numbers don’t follow the same logic and can run into much higher digits. So if a pattern calls for DMC 310 (a classic black) and all you have on hand is Anchor floss, you can’t just grab “Anchor 310” and assume it matches — you’ll need a proper conversion chart. I’ll link one below so you’ve always got it handy.

DMC to Anchor Floss Conversion Chart — 123Stitch

One more fun tidbit: stitchers who’ve compared the two side by side often say DMC leans a little stronger in cool blues, gray-greens, and muted contemporary tones, while Anchor tends to shine in warm reds, oranges, and earthy terracottas. So if you’re eyeing a beachy watercolor piece full of soft blues (hello, one of my favorite themes to design around!), DMC might have the edge. If you’re stitching something warm and autumnal, Anchor’s reds might just steal the show.

Difference #2: Thread Feel and Texture

This is where things get a little more subjective, but it’s worth talking about because your hands will absolutely notice.

DMC tends to have a tighter twist to its strands, which many stitchers describe as giving it a slightly silkier feel and a subtle sheen. That tighter twist also means the strands separate a little more cleanly when you’re getting ready to thread your needle.

Anchor, on the other hand, has a more matte, textured finish. It’s a little softer to the touch, and quite a few stitchers — especially beginners — find it easier to manage because it’s less prone to tangling and knotting while you work. If you’ve ever fought with thread that seems to have a mind of its own, that alone might make Anchor worth a try.

Neither one is objectively “better” here — it really comes down to personal preference and what kind of finish you like on your fabric. Some stitchers swear DMC gives pieces a slightly glossier, more polished look. Others love the soft, matte coverage Anchor gives, especially on higher-count fabric where good coverage really matters.

My honest, stitchy-best-friend opinion? If you’re newer to stitching and thread tension has been giving you trouble, it might be worth picking up a small Anchor starter pack just to see how it feels in your hands. You might be pleasantly surprised. That being said, I personally use only DMC threads anymore.

Difference #3: Price and Availability

If you’re in the US, DMC is going to be your easy, everywhere option — craft stores, big box stores, online shops, you name it. It’s the path of least resistance, and pricing is generally very reasonable for the quality you’re getting.

Anchor is a bit trickier to find on US shelves, though it’s widely available online. If you’re in the UK, Europe, or Australia, the tables turn — Anchor tends to be the easier, often more affordably priced local option, while DMC might need to be special ordered or bought through a specialty retailer.

Price-wise, the two brands are genuinely comparable when you’re buying similar quantities, so I wouldn’t let cost alone be your deciding factor. It really comes down to what’s sitting on the shelf in front of you, and what your pattern calls for.

Psst — before we keep going…

If you love nerding out about thread as much as I do, you’ll want to be on my newsletter list! Every month I share free pattern drops, behind-the-scenes stitching stories, and tips like this one straight to your inbox — no fluff, just crafty goodness from one stitcher to another. Join the newsletter below:

So…Which One Should You Use?

Here’s the truth, friends: there is no wrong answer. Both DMC and Anchor are quality, colorfast, long-lasting threads that plenty of stitchers have used for decades to make gorgeous finished pieces. The “best” one is largely the one that:

1. Matches your pattern. If your chart lists DMC codes, it’s simplest to stitch in DMC (or convert carefully if you’re substituting). Same goes in reverse for Anchor patterns.
2. Feels good in your hands. Thread tension and feel matter more than most beginners realize. If one brand is fighting you every step of the way, it’s okay to switch.
3. Is actually available to you. Sometimes the “best” thread is simply the one you can get your hands on without waiting three weeks for shipping.

A few practical tips if you’re navigating between the two:

• Don’t mix brands within the same color family in one project unless you’ve double- and triple-checked the match under good lighting. Even with a conversion chart, DMC and Anchor equivalents can be just different enough to create a visible seam in your finished piece — especially with blacks and whites, which are notoriously tricky to match across brands.
• Keep a conversion chart bookmarked (like the one I linked above at one of my favorite online stores for stitchy fabric – 123Stitch) so you’re never stuck mid-project without a lifeline.
• It’s okay to have a favorite. Plenty of stitchers pick one brand and stick with it simply because they love how it feels — and that’s a perfectly good reason.

A Little Story From My Own Stash

Honestly? When I first started designing patterns, I didn’t think twice about thread brand — I just grabbed whatever was in my local craft store, which happened to be DMC. It wasn’t until a stitcher from the UK messaged me asking for Anchor conversions on one of my beach-themed patterns that I even realized how big this brand divide really is! Now I keep a small Anchor set in my stash specifically for testing conversions, and honestly, I’ve grown to love how soft it feels for detail work. So don’t be afraid to keep an open mind — you might discover a new favorite too.

Fun Fact:

My thread stash has officially outgrown its storage box, its backup storage box, and is now eyeing the closet in my office/stitching room with intent. If you’ve ever laughed about a slightly-out-of-control floss collection (no regrets), you can help feed the habit — and support free supply reviews like this one — by buying me a coffee or embroidery floss on Ko-Fi.

Quick Reference: DMC vs. Anchor at a Glance

Wrapping This Up

At the end of the day, whether you’re Team DMC or Team Anchor, or (like me) happily switching between both depending on the project, what matters most is that you’re stitching something that brings you joy. Thread brand is just one small piece of a much bigger, much more wonderful hobby.

If you’re just getting started and feeling a little overwhelmed by all the color numbers and conversion charts, take a breath — you don’t need to memorize any of this today. Bookmark this post, keep a conversion chart handy, and let yourself learn as you go. That’s exactly how the rest of us stitchers got here too.

Thank you so much for stitching through this post with me today! Posts like this one take a good bit of research (and a lot of thread-sorting) to put together, and if you’ve found it helpful, Ko-fi support goes directly toward keeping the free patterns, tutorials, and posts coming. Every single “coffee” tip means the world!

Don’t stitch this journey alone!

Come join our little corner of the internet — sign up for my monthly newsletter and get free patterns, tips, and encouragement delivered right to your inbox, one stitchy friend to another.