Convert Photo to Cross Stitch Pattern - Free Online Tool

Photo to pattern converter

Turn your photos into patterns worth stitching

See your pattern take shape in real time. Adjust colors, size, and detail until it looks right—not after you've already started stitching.

Try it with your photo

Free. No account required.

Real-time preview
Confetti cleanup
Pattern Keeper compatible

Most photo converters create patterns nobody wants to stitch

Upload a photo. Click convert. Get a pattern filled with confetti—hundreds of scattered single stitches that don't form shapes. Every color change means stopping, threading a new needle, finding your place again.

The preview looked fine. The actual stitching? Tedious.

The problem isn't your photo. It's converters that treat each pixel independently, ignoring how cross-stitch actually works.

See exactly what you'll stitch—before you commit

Turn any photo or image into a cross stitch pattern with real-time preview. Make custom patterns from your pictures—the algorithm groups similar colors into stitchable regions, so you get patterns that are actually enjoyable to work on.

Real-time preview

Adjust colors, pattern size, and contrast. Watch the pattern update instantly. No waiting, no surprises.

Confetti reduction built in

The algorithm groups similar colors into stitchable regions. Scattered single stitches become solid areas you can actually work.

Honest time estimates

A 100×100 pattern takes 40-80 hours to stitch. The FLOW score tells you how satisfying the pattern will be to work—before you start.

What converts well—and what needs more work

Photos that convert well

  • High contrast with clear subjects
  • Simple or blurred backgrounds
  • Well-lit faces and pets
  • Bold colors and defined edges

Photos that need more work

  • Busy backgrounds with lots of detail
  • Soft gradients (sunsets, fog)
  • Low contrast or flat lighting
  • Multiple small subjects

Not every photo converts well. Here's what to look for—and how to adjust settings when your photo needs help.

How It Works

1

Upload

Drag in any photo (JPEG, PNG, WebP)

2

Adjust

Slide colors down, set size, preview in real time

3

Refine

Use the confetti tool to clean up problem areas

4

Export

Download a PDF with symbols and thread list

Every setting updates the preview instantly

Drag colors from 50 to 25
Watch confetti consolidate into clean, stitchable regions
Slide pattern size down
See the time estimate drop from 120 hours to 40
Boost contrast
See definition return to flat, muddy photos
Switch thread brands
Compare how DMC, Anchor, Madeira, or Cosmo match your image
Check the FLOW Score
See pattern quality update—aim for 70+ for satisfying stitching
Adjustment What happens
Drag colors from 50 to 25 Watch confetti consolidate into clean, stitchable regions
Slide pattern size down See the time estimate drop from 120 hours to 40
Boost contrast See definition return to flat, muddy photos
Switch thread brands Compare how DMC, Anchor, Madeira, or Cosmo match your image
Check the FLOW Score See pattern quality update—aim for 70+ for satisfying stitching

No waiting. No "processing." Adjust until it looks right—usually about 30 seconds of sliding.

Frequently Asked Questions

For portraits: 15-25 colors. For landscapes: 20-35. For pet photos: 15-30. More colors means more detail but also more thread changes and longer stitching time.
A 100×100 pattern finishes around 7×7 inches on 14-count Aida and takes 40-80 hours. For a first project, 80×80 or smaller is more manageable.
That's confetti—isolated single stitches from the conversion. Use the confetti cleanup tool to brush over problem areas. The algorithm removes scattered stitches automatically.
FLOW measures pattern quality: Fragmentation (confetti), Locality (color clustering), Optimization (palette efficiency), and Workability (practical stitching). Higher scores mean patterns that are more satisfying to stitch.
Yes. The full editor includes brush, fill, and selection tools. You can change colors, remove stitches, add backstitch for definition, and clean up any areas that didn't convert well.
Cross stitch confetti refers to scattered single stitches that don't connect to form shapes—usually caused by photo conversion. StitchMate's algorithm reduces confetti automatically by grouping similar colors into stitchable regions. For remaining confetti, the cleanup brush lets you smooth problem areas with one stroke.
Yes—pixel art often converts better than photos because it already has defined color blocks and clean edges. Upload your sprite or pixel art image, and the converter will match colors to DMC or Anchor threads. No confetti cleanup needed for most pixel art.
Upload your photo, adjust the color count and pattern size, then preview the result in real time. StitchMate automatically matches colors to DMC, Anchor, or Cosmo threads. When it looks right, export as a PDF with symbols and thread list.
Yes—start from any photo, image, or blank canvas. Adjust colors, size, and detail until it matches your vision. The full editor lets you modify individual stitches, add backstitch outlines, and swap thread colors. Every pattern is fully customizable.
Drag your picture into StitchMate, choose how many colors and stitches you want, and watch the pattern generate instantly. The converter handles color matching, confetti reduction, and thread calculations—just export when you're happy with the preview.

Want the full walkthrough? Read: How to Convert a Photo to a Cross Stitch Pattern

Related tools: Fabric Calculator · DMC Color Chart · Anchor Color Chart

See how your photo converts

Upload a photo, adjust the settings, preview the result. Takes about 30 seconds to see if your image will work.

Try it with your photo

Free tier: patterns up to 150×150, 20 colors. No account needed.