20 — Shrimp
Oranges family#F7D1B3
Looking up DMC 20? It's Shrimp, a light orange shade (#F7D1B3 / RGB 247, 209, 179). Scroll down for Crescent Colors, Anchor, and Madeira equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close DMC alternatives and curated color harmonies.
About DMC 20
DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial)
- Also sold as
- Peach
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 8 m skein
Brand Equivalents for DMC 20
The five closest matches in each brand, ranked by CIEDE2000 perceptual color difference.
Anchor
Madeira
J&P Coates
Sullivans
Classic Colorworks
Weeks Dye Works
Gentle Art Sampler
Valdani
Crescent Colors
Closest match to DMC 20 in 67 more brands
The single nearest shade in every other palette we hold, from needlepoint silks and wools to fuse beads and yarn. Match quality is perceptual color distance: 93% and up is hard to tell apart, under 75% is a visible shift.
More stranded cotton
Hand-dyed & overdyed
Silk
Wool for needlepoint
Metallic, rayon & specialty
Other threads & beads
Fuse beads
Yarn for crochet & knitting
Need the runners-up, or a whole pattern converted? The thread conversion chart ranks every alternative for DMC 20 (Shrimp) in any brand.
Similar DMC Colors to 20
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 20
It reads best on black or dark fabric and can wash out on white, so reach for a dark or mid-tone ground.
With its high saturation, DMC 20 (Shrimp) draws the eye — a natural pick for focal motifs, small pops of color, and details you want to read first.
DMC 20 (Shrimp) sits a hair from DMC 951 (Tawny light) (ΔE 2.22) — close enough to blend a strand of each for a smooth gradient or to swap one for the other in a pinch.
DMC 20 in other DMC lines
DMC reuses base numbers across its specialty lines, so the same shade can exist as a satin, a metallic, or a sparkle floss under a prefixed code. Here is where Shrimp turns up.
DMC 20 is a Mouliné Spécial-only number: there is no Satin, Light Effects, or Étoile version of this shade. For a sheen or sparkle in the same tone, blend one strand of the nearest metallic with two strands of DMC 20.
Diamond painting: 20 is not in the standard drill set, so kits rarely call for it. Loose-drill shops that pour to DMC numbers are the usual source if a chart does.
Color Harmonies for DMC 20
DMC threads that pair well with 20, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Oranges Family
DMC20 in context with nearby shades from the oranges color family.
About DMC 20
Known as Shrimp, DMC 20 is a light, highly saturated shade sitting in the oranges family with warm tangerine tones. Expect a gentle and clear look that suits seasonal designs, pumpkins, and similar motifs. Cross stitch enthusiasts often reach for this thread when stitching marigolds or fall wreaths.
Frequently Asked Questions
DMC 20 — what color is it?
The color of DMC 20 is Shrimp — a light orange thread (hex #F7D1B3, RGB 247, 209, 179). It shows up most in monarch butterflies and persimmon patterns.
What is the Anchor equivalent of DMC 20?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 20 (Shrimp) is Anchor 778 (Flesh Very Light) with a 88% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 1010 (Copper Very Light, 84%) and Anchor 881 (Cream Dark, 83%).
Which DMC threads are close to 20?
The closest DMC threads to 20 are 951 Tawny light (ΔE 2.22), 543 Beige Brown ultra very light (ΔE 3.62), and 948 Peach very light (ΔE 4.4). These are useful substitutes when 20 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is DMC 20 good for?
DMC 20 (Shrimp) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring monarch butterflies, persimmon patterns, autumn leaves, sunsets. Its light tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 20.
What fabric color works best with DMC 20 (Shrimp)?
It reads best on black or dark fabric and can wash out on white, so reach for a dark or mid-tone ground. For reference, 20 has a contrast ratio of about 1.4:1 on white fabric and 14.7:1 on black. As a warm shade, its warm cast advances toward the viewer — good for focal points, highlights, and cozy, inviting palettes.
Is there a metallic or satin version of DMC 20?
No. DMC 20 (Shrimp) exists only as Mouliné Spécial six-strand cotton — there is no Satin, Light Effects, or Étoile code for it. For a matching shine, blend one strand of the nearest Light Effects color with two strands of the cotton.
Which other thread brands come closest to DMC 20?
Outside the main floss brands, the nearest shades we hold are Artkal S S67 Vanilla (96%), Artkal C C47 Vanilla (96%), Artkal A A47 Vanilla (96%). Percentages are perceptual color distance between the two swatches; anything above about 93% is hard to tell apart on fabric.