A color chart is one of the most useful tools for any photo-to-bead project. Photos can contain thousands of tiny color variations, but a buildable fuse bead pattern needs a smaller set of bead colors that you can actually buy, sort, and place on a pegboard.
Important: this chart uses the BeadSnap palette used by our pattern tool to approximate common fuse bead colors. It is not an official Perler chart. Perler is a trademark of its owner, and BeadSnap is independent and not affiliated with Perler, Hama, Artkal, or any bead brand.
How to use this color chart
Use the hex codes as a digital planning reference, not as a promise that plastic beads will look identical under every light. Real beads are affected by the bead brand, monitor color, room lighting, and whether the beads are viewed loose or melted together.
For best results, choose a photo with a clear subject, avoid tiny details, and keep your first project around 48 to 64 beads wide. If your photo has too many similar tones, BeadSnap will group them into fewer bead colors so the final pattern is easier to make.
BeadSnap bead color chart
The table below lists the color names and hex codes currently used by BeadSnap's free pattern maker and Pro Pattern generator.
| Code | Color | Hex | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| P01 | White | #FFFFFF | Highlights, eyes, teeth, shine |
| P02 | Cream | #F5EEDC | Warm highlights, soft backgrounds |
| P03 | Light Pink | #FFC0CB | Skin tones, cheeks, flowers |
| P04 | Bubblegum Pink | #FF77A8 | Cute accents, bright pink areas |
| P05 | Pink | #FF69B4 | Characters, hearts, flowers |
| P06 | Magenta | #C71585 | Deep pink shadows and outlines |
| P07 | Red | #ED1C24 | Strong accents, lips, signs |
| P08 | Cranapple | #B22222 | Dark red shadows |
| P09 | Orange | #FF7F00 | Warm objects, sunsets, fruit |
| P10 | Cheddar | #FFA500 | Golden shadows, warm yellow areas |
| P11 | Yellow | #FFEB3B | Bright objects, icons, highlights |
| P12 | Pastel Yellow | #FFF59D | Soft highlights and pale yellow areas |
| P13 | Lime Green | #B5E61D | Bright leaves, cartoons, neon accents |
| P14 | Kiwi Lime | #8CC63F | Mid green highlights |
| P15 | Light Green | #7BC678 | Plants, grass, soft green areas |
| P16 | Green | #22B14C | Natural green midtones |
| P17 | Dark Green | #006837 | Plant shadows and outlines |
| P18 | Toothpaste | #99D9EA | Light cyan, sky shine, water |
| P19 | Pastel Blue | #B3D9FF | Soft sky and pale blue highlights |
| P20 | Light Blue | #3FA9F5 | Bright sky, water, blue objects |
| P21 | Blue | #0066CC | Strong blue areas |
| P22 | Dark Blue | #1B1464 | Deep blue shadows |
| P23 | Periwinkle | #8B8FE0 | Blue-purple midtones |
| P24 | Purple | #662D91 | Characters, shadows, flowers |
| P25 | Plum | #800080 | Dark purple accents |
| P26 | Lavender | #B695C0 | Soft purple areas |
| P27 | Tan | #D4A373 | Skin tones, wood, animals |
| P28 | Light Brown | #A0522D | Hair, wood, warm shadows |
| P29 | Brown | #6F4E37 | Dark hair, wood, outlines |
| P30 | Dark Brown | #3E2723 | Deep warm shadows |
| P31 | Gray | #808080 | Neutral shadows, metal, stone |
| P32 | Light Gray | #C0C0C0 | Soft shadows and grayscale images |
| P33 | Dark Gray | #404040 | Dark neutral shadows |
| P34 | Black | #000000 | Outlines, eyes, deepest shadows |
| P35 | Peach | #FFCBA4 | Skin tones and warm highlights |
| P36 | Light Tan | #F5DEB3 | Light skin, sand, cream objects |
| P37 | Hot Coral | #FF6F61 | Warm pink-orange accents |
| P38 | Sand | #C2B280 | Muted backgrounds and natural tones |
Tips for choosing bead colors
Use fewer colors for kids
For a first project, 8 to 16 colors is usually easier than a very detailed 32-color pattern.
Keep black for outlines
Black and dark gray can make eyes, edges, and facial details easier to read at bead scale.
Simplify backgrounds
A plain background often makes the subject look cleaner and reduces the bead colors you need to buy.
Check the shopping list
BeadSnap counts each color so you can see which colors matter most before you start sorting beads.
Pinterest-friendly color reference
If you save craft ideas on Pinterest, a vertical color reference is easier to recognize later than a plain spreadsheet. This article is designed so you can pin the chart, then come back when you are ready to make the pattern.
Names, hex codes, and planning tips for photo bead patterns.
FAQ
Are these official Perler colors?
No. This is the BeadSnap working palette for matching photos to bead-like colors. Always compare with the beads you own before buying a large quantity.
Why does a photo pattern use fewer colors than my photo?
A photo may contain thousands of colors, but a real bead project needs a limited palette. Reducing colors makes the pattern easier to build and easier to shop for.
What color limit should I choose?
Use 12 to 16 colors for simple beginner projects, and 24 to 32 colors when the photo has important shading or faces that need more detail.
Can I use this chart with Hama or Artkal beads?
You can use it as a planning reference, but color names and plastic shades vary by brand. Treat the hex codes as approximate digital colors.
Ready to turn a photo into a bead pattern?
Upload a photo to BeadSnap and get a printable pattern, color-matched bead counts, and a shopping list in your browser. If you are planning supplies first, read how many Perler beads you need by pattern size.
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