Whether you’re a novice bead jewelry maker or just shopping for necklaces, these bead and necklace size charts and links to related articles can help you.
| Bead Size | Beads per Inch | Beads per 16" | Beads per 24" |
| 2 mm | 12.5 | 200 | 300 |
| 3 mm | 8.3 | 133 | 200 |
| 4 mm | 6.25 | 100 | 150 |
| 5 mm | 5 | 80 | 120 |
| 6 mm | 4.2 | 66 | 99 |
| 7 mm | 3.6 | 57 | 86 |
| 8 mm | 3.13 | 50 | 75 |
| 10 mm | 2.5 | 40 | 60 |
| 12 mm | 2.1 | 33 | 50 |
Silk is the traditional beading cord. Its strength and flexibility are unmatched for any other material its size. Nylon and polyester cords are replacing silk. They have nearly the same strength and a longer life.
A number or a letter defines cord size. The size used depends on the size of your beads. Larger, heavier beads require a stronger cord.
The codes represent smaller, lighter capacity cords (A, 1) to larger, heavier capacity cords (FF, 8).
| Silk | A | B | C | D | E | F | FF |
| Nylon | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Choker | 14 to 16 inches, falls to hollow of neck |
| Princess | 18 inches |
| Matinee | 20 to 24 inches, falls to the crown of the bust |
| Opera | 28 to 32 inches |
| Rope | Anything more than 32 inches |
For more information on beads and necklace size, nomenclature, and instructions for making them, consult these articles:
If you're looking for bead jewelry ideas, browse through our Gem Listings and discover many different gemstones that can be used as very attractive beads, whether faceted, carved, or natural.
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
| Bead Size | Beads per Inch | Beads per 16" | Beads per 24" |
| 2 mm | 12.5 | 200 | 300 |
| 3 mm | 8.3 | 133 | 200 |
| 4 mm | 6.25 | 100 | 150 |
| 5 mm | 5 | 80 | 120 |
| 6 mm | 4.2 | 66 | 99 |
| 7 mm | 3.6 | 57 | 86 |
| 8 mm | 3.13 |
| 50 |
| 75 |
| 10 mm | 2.5 | 40 | 60 |
| 12 mm | 2.1 | 33 | 50 |
Silk is the traditional beading cord. Its strength and flexibility are unmatched for any other material its size. Nylon and polyester cords are replacing silk. They have nearly the same strength and a longer life.
A number or a letter defines cord size. The size used depends on the size of your beads. Larger, heavier beads require a stronger cord.
The codes represent smaller, lighter capacity cords (A, 1) to larger, heavier capacity cords (FF, 8).
| Silk | A | B | C | D | E | F | FF |
| Nylon | 1 | 1.5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 |
| Choker | 14 to 16 inches, falls to hollow of neck |
| Princess | 18 inches |
| Matinee | 20 to 24 inches, falls to the crown of the bust |
| Opera | 28 to 32 inches |
| Rope | Anything more than 32 inches |
For more information on beads and necklace size, nomenclature, and instructions for making them, consult these articles:
If you're looking for bead jewelry ideas, browse through our Gem Listings and discover many different gemstones that can be used as very attractive beads, whether faceted, carved, or natural.
