Seed Bead Sizes
The unit of measurement for seed beads is known as 'Aught' which is either displayed as a symbol ' ° ' or a forward stroke followed by a 0. The number that precedes this refers to the beads size. The larger the number is, the smaller the bead. The most commonly used seed bead size is 11/0 ("eleven-aught"), but sizes can range anywhere from from 24/0 to 1/0. The term "aught" refers to how many beads can fit into a standard unit, although this size can vary between manufacturers.
Aught size |
Diameter in mm |
Beads per Inch |
Beads Per Gram |
1/0 |
6.5 |
3 |
3 |
2/0 |
6 |
5 |
5 |
3/0 |
5.5 |
6 |
8 |
6/0 |
4 |
10 |
12 |
8/0 |
3.1 |
13 |
40 |
9/0 |
2.7 |
14 |
60 |
10/0 |
2.3 |
15 |
80 |
11/0 |
2.1 |
17 |
100 |
12/0 |
1.9 |
18 |
130 |
13/0 |
1.7 |
20 |
160 |
14/0 |
1.4 |
21 |
220 |
15/0 |
1.3 |
23 |
250 |
delica/treasure |
1.8 |
20 |
100 |
* Please Note
This chart is a guide only, sizes will vary between manufacturers and depending on the finishes applied. For example a transparent size 11 bead will be smaller than a permanent galvanised size 11. This is due to the extra coatings applied throughout the manufacturing process to achieve a variety of finishes.
Colors and Finishes
Seed beads not only come in a range of colours but they also have a wide variety of finishes as well. Some beads may have more than one finish applied to create even more variations. The colour of a seed bead refers to the original colour of the glass used to create the bead, and the finish is applied to the surface or the core of the bead.
- Transparent - The bead is see-through allowing light to pass directly through the glass
- Translucent or Milky - A diffused light can be seen through the bead
- Opaque - The solid color prevents light from passing through the bead
- Matte - A frosted finish on the bead which causes light relecting off them to be diffused
- Silver-Lined - Transparent bead that has a silver coating within the core of the bead
- Copper-Lined - Transparent bead that has a copper coating within the core of the bead
- Bronze-Lined - Transparent bead that has a bronze lining within the core of the bead
- Gold Lined - Transparent bead that has a gold lining within the core of the bead
- luster - a shiny coating applied to the beads surface giving the bead a shiny finish like the nacre of a pearl
- Gold Lustered - The luster is created using gold dust which gives the bead a rich golden metallic hue
- AB or aurora borealis - a rainbow effect applied to the surface of a seed bead. The effect is similar to the iridescence that can be seen on soap bubbles
- Color Lined beads are transparent beads that have had an opaque color applied to the inside of the bead
- Metallic beads have been heated and then sprayed with oxidized tin. The thicker the coating, the darker the finish.
- Higher Metallic beads are surface coated with gold and then sprayed with oxidized titanium. The gold provides a brighter finish to these beads.
- Iris - This finish gives an 'oil slick' appearance, giving the beads purple/teal/blue/fuschia tones. This finish is generally used on dark rich tones such as purple, brown blue and green.
- Ceylon - A pearl Lustered finish. These beads generally come in pale pastel colours and have a pearlized finish
- Galvanized The beads are plated with zinc which gives them a metallic finish. However this is not a stable finish and can rub away with friction
- Dyed - These beads are transparent beads that have been painted and baked. Strong UV light may cause fading over time.
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