400 — Mahogany dark
Reds family#753321
Looking up DMC 400? It's Mahogany dark, a medium-dark red shade (#753321 / RGB 117, 51, 33). Scroll down for Crescent Colors, Anchor, and Madeira equivalents ranked by visual similarity, plus 8 close DMC alternatives and curated color harmonies.
About DMC 400
DMC Six-Strand Embroidery Floss (Mouliné Spécial)
- Also sold as
- Conker
- Fiber
- 100% cotton
- Strands
- 6 strands
- Sold as
- 8 m skein
Brand Equivalents for DMC 400
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 400 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 400 (Mahogany dark) in any brand.
Similar DMC Colors to 400
Closest DMC threads by perceptual color distance, sorted from most to least similar.
Working with DMC 400
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first.
DMC 400 (Mahogany dark) sits a hair from DMC 918 (Red Copper dark) (ΔE 3.07) — close enough to blend a strand of each for a smooth gradient or to swap one for the other in a pinch.
DMC 400 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 Mahogany dark turns up.
DMC 400 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 400.
Diamond painting: the same number is sold as a drill — Diamond Dotz D400, Diamond Drills USA DMC400. A kit legend or drill bag marked 400 means this color. See the diamond painting DMC chart for every code with drill availability.
Color Harmonies for DMC 400
DMC threads that pair well with 400, based on color theory harmony rules in CIELAB color space.
Reds Family
DMC400 in context with nearby shades from the reds color family.
About DMC 400
Known as Mahogany dark, DMC 400 is a medium-dark, vivid shade sitting in the reds family with red-orange tones. Expect a intense and saturated look that suits ladybug designs, barn scenes, and similar motifs. Cross stitch enthusiasts often reach for this thread when stitching tomato patterns or roses.
Frequently Asked Questions
DMC 400 — what color is it?
The color of DMC 400 is Mahogany dark — a medium-dark red thread (hex #753321, RGB 117, 51, 33). It shows up most in berries and valentines.
What is the Anchor equivalent of DMC 400?
The closest Anchor match for DMC 400 (Mahogany dark) is Anchor 358 (Coffee Dark) with a 95% match based on visual color similarity. Other near matches include Anchor 357 (Chocolate Dark, 92%) and Anchor 936 (Dusty Flesh Very Dark, 84%).
Which DMC threads are close to 400?
The closest DMC threads to 400 are 918 Red Copper dark (ΔE 3.07), 975 Golden Brown dark (ΔE 3.32), and 300 Mahogany very dark (ΔE 4.24). These are useful substitutes when 400 is unavailable or for building gradients.
What is DMC 400 good for?
DMC 400 (Mahogany dark) is commonly used in cross-stitch projects featuring berries, valentines, poppies, cardinal birds. Its medium-dark tone works well for standalone motifs and as part of larger palettes. This page includes color harmonies and similar shades to pair with 400.
What fabric color works best with DMC 400 (Mahogany dark)?
It has moderate contrast on both light and dark fabric — usable on either, but test a few stitches on your chosen ground first. For reference, 400 has a contrast ratio of about 9.3:1 on white fabric and 2.3:1 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 400?
No. DMC 400 (Mahogany dark) 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.
What is the diamond painting drill code for DMC 400?
Diamond Dotz D400 and Diamond Drills USA DMC400 carry the same number. Diamond painting adopted DMC's numbering, so a kit legend or drill bag marked 400 is this color regardless of drill brand — though each manufacturer dyes to the reference in its own batches, so avoid mixing brands inside one large block.
Which other thread brands come closest to DMC 400?
Outside the main floss brands, the nearest shades we hold are Mill Hill Beads 02038 (97%), PNK Kirov 5810 (91%), Waverly Wool 1112 Waverly Wool (90%). Percentages are perceptual color distance between the two swatches; anything above about 93% is hard to tell apart on fabric.