CXC floss color chart (447 colors)

Browse all 447 CXC embroidery floss colors — search by number, name, or color family. CXC uses DMC-compatible numbering, so every color maps directly to its DMC equivalent. Track colors you own and build palettes. CXC is the most popular budget alternative to DMC, and this is the complete CXC color list.

CXC color chart by number

Use the chart below to browse the full CXC floss color list. Every color uses the same number as the corresponding DMC shade — no conversion chart needed.

CXC covers DMC numbers 150 through 3866 plus Blanc, Ecru, and B5200. The 35 newer DMC colors (01–35) are not available in CXC. To browse the full range of colors these numbers represent, see the DMC color chart.

How many CXC colors are there?

CXC offers approximately 447 colors that mirror the standard DMC solid floss range. The numbering is identical — CXC 310 is meant to match DMC 310 (black), CXC 666 is meant to match DMC 666 (bright red), and so on.

The 35 colors DMC added in 2017 (numbered 01–35) are not produced by CXC. For those colors, the AMO brand (by Grand Vision Textiles, also manufactured in China) offers compatible threads.

Screen colors vary. For exact matching, compare real skeins.

Track your CXC stash

Use "I own this" to mark colors you have. It saves in your browser — no account needed. Especially useful if you bought a full set and want to track which skeins you've used up.

CXC vs DMC — an honest comparison

CXC has become the go-to budget alternative to DMC in the cross stitch community. The price difference is dramatic: a full 447-skein CXC set costs $35–60, while the equivalent DMC collection runs $250+. That alone has made CXC hugely popular for large full-coverage projects where thread costs can be significant.

Here's what the testing shows, based on multiple independent reviews:

The colors are close but not identical. Reds, pinks, and neutrals tend to match DMC well. Blues and purples show more variation — some shades are noticeably different. Overall, most colors read as the same hue, with differences comparable to what you might see between DMC dye lots.

The feel is different. CXC is a cotton-polyester blend (exact ratio unspecified), while DMC is 100% Egyptian cotton. CXC feels softer and slightly shinier. Some stitchers prefer this — others find it less "traditional." The polyester content means CXC can be slightly thicker and more prone to knotting when removing from the skein, though it breaks less than pure cotton.

CXC is colorfast. Multiple independent tests confirm CXC holds its color through washing. The polyester content may actually help with color retention and UV resistance compared to pure cotton.

The biggest practical downside is availability. CXC isn't sold at craft stores. You buy it from AliExpress (cheapest, but 1–3 week shipping from China), Etsy (faster, with quality guarantees from established sellers), or eBay. Getting specific individual colors rather than bulk sets has gotten easier in recent years, but it's still not as convenient as picking up DMC at your local craft shop.

One important distinction: CXC branded floss is different from generic unbranded Chinese embroidery thread. Unbranded threads sold in bulk rainbow packs on Amazon or AliExpress are a separate, lower-quality product. When buying, look for the CXC label specifically.

For another budget-friendly DMC alternative with a different approach, see the Sullivans color chart — Sullivans uses 100% cotton (unlike CXC's poly-cotton blend) and prints DMC numbers directly on each skein.

Related tools

• DMC color chart — Browse all 489 DMC embroidery floss colors
• Sullivans color chart — Browse all 454 Sullivans floss colors (another DMC alternative)
• Anchor color chart — Browse all 446 Anchor stranded cotton colors
• Cosmo color chart — Browse all 499 Cosmo embroidery floss colors
• J&P Coats color chart — Browse all J&P Coats embroidery floss colors with DMC equivalents
• Cross stitch fabric calculator — Calculate finished size and fabric requirements
• Photo to cross stitch converter — See exactly what you'll stitch before you buy thread
• Cross stitch pattern maker — Design original patterns from scratch

About CXC embroidery floss

CXC is a Chinese embroidery floss brand manufactured by ZheJiang QuingChun Thread Industry. It uses DMC-compatible color numbers and is sold primarily through AliExpress, Etsy, and eBay rather than traditional craft retailers.

The thread is six-strand, sold in 8-meter skeins (the same length as DMC), and uses a cotton-polyester blend. The polyester content makes CXC softer and slightly shinier than pure cotton threads, with slightly different handling characteristics — it kinks more when unwinding from the skein but breaks less during stitching.

CXC's rise in popularity has been driven almost entirely by price. At $0.08–0.13 per skein from AliExpress versus $0.60–0.99 for DMC, the savings on a large full-coverage project can be $100+. For budget-conscious stitchers, beginners building a thread collection, or anyone working through large projects where thread cost adds up, CXC offers a viable alternative.

The controversy around CXC in cross stitch communities is real but largely overstated. Much of the pushback comes from stitchers who haven't tried it, or from sellers with a financial interest in DMC sales. Independent reviewers — including Thread Bare, Lord Libidan, and Sirithre — have published detailed side-by-side comparisons showing that while CXC is not identical to DMC, it's a serviceable alternative for most projects. The key advice: don't mix CXC and DMC in the same project, buy CXC-branded thread specifically (not generic unbranded Chinese floss), and expect some color variation particularly in blues and purples.

For the full reference of what each DMC-compatible number represents — names, color families, and hex codes — see the DMC color chart.