Sewing machine needle size chart
The paired numbers describe the same needle size in two naming systems. Use the machine manual first, then use this chart to read the size printed on a compatible household needle.
Starting size by fabric
From Singer’s published needle guide. Start here, then test on a scrap.
| Fabric weight | Examples | Needle type | Starting size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sheer to lightweight woven | batiste, chiffon, georgette, organza, voile, microfiber | Regular point | 9/70 or 11/80 |
| Lightweight woven | challis, chambray, charmeuse, crepe de chine, gauze, silk, taffeta | Regular point | 11/80 |
| Medium-weight woven | broadcloth, chino, corduroy, flannel, linen, poplin, satin, terry, velvet | Regular point | 14/90 |
| Medium to heavy woven | coating, damask, drapery fabric, fake fur, gabardine, ticking, woollens | Regular point | 16/100 or 18/110 |
| Denim and canvas | denim, jeans, canvas | Denim / Jeans | 16/100 |
| Sheer to lightweight knit | jersey, single knit, spandex, tricot | Ball point | 10/70 or 12/80 |
| Medium to heavy knit | double knit, sweatshirt, sweater knit | Ball point | 14/90 |
| Leather | leather, suede, buckskin | Wedge point (leather) | 14/90 or 16/100 |
Rows from Singer: Choosing the right machine needles, checked October 20, 2026; sizes are printed as Singer gives them (Singer writes 11/80 where SCHMETZ pairs NM 80 with 12). Confirm the needle system in your machine manual first.
Common NM ↔ Singer/US pairs
Transcribed from SCHMETZ's size table. Always confirm your machine system and the exact needle product.
| Metric size (NM) | Singer / US size | How to read it |
|---|---|---|
| NM 60 | 8 | Read as 60/8 |
| NM 65 | 9 | Read as 65/9 |
| NM 70 | 10 | Read as 70/10 on many consumer packages |
| NM 75 | 11 | Read as 75/11 |
| NM 80 | 12 | Read as 80/12 |
| NM 90 | 14 | Read as 90/14 |
| NM 100 | 16 | Read as 100/16 |
| NM 110 | 18 | Read as 110/18 |
| NM 120 | 19 | Read as 120/19 |
| NM 130 | 21 | Read as 130/21 |
The size pairs are source observations from the SCHMETZ needle anatomy and size table, reviewed October 20, 2026. The table is a notation aid; use the fabric table above to pick a starting size.
Needle size is not thread size.
Thread spools may use labels such as weight, Tex, ticket, or another manufacturer-specific system. Those values describe thread under different standards; they are not the NM needle-size number. Needle Desk does not infer a conversion from a spool label.
Community questions repeatedly mix thread numbers, needle sizes, and machine systems. This page separates them so a familiar number does not create a false match. For a thread-to-needle decision, consult a thread-maker chart that names its sizing standard and the needle system it covers.
Two checks before choosing.
Does a larger NM number mean a thicker needle?
Yes. NM describes the needle blade diameter in hundredths of a millimeter; the source table provides the paired Singer/US notation. This does not determine the appropriate type or fit for a machine.
Can I use this chart for a serger?
Use the serger manual’s exact system code first. Overlock systems can differ and may not interchange. This household size pairing chart does not establish serger compatibility.
Which size should I use for denim?
Singer’s guide starts denim at 16/100 with a Denim/Jeans needle; SCHMETZ’s Jeans family runs NM 70/10 to 110/18. See the denim guide for medium-weight denim and thick seams.
Where did these size pairs come from?
They were transcribed from the linked SCHMETZ household needle size table. If package notation or machine documentation conflicts, follow the exact product and machine instructions and verify with the manufacturer.
Know the system before the size.
Correct size notation cannot compensate for a mismatched needle system. Find the code in the machine manual before buying.
Read the system-code guide ↗ · Open the documented option finder ↗
No individual machine model has been cross-referenced to these tables. Last source review: October 20, 2026.