How to Calculate the Number of Beads on a Strand or Project

It's pretty easy to calculate the number of beads needed for a certain length when making a necklace or bracelet. Since most beads are measured in millimeters, you will first need to convert the length of your necklace or bracelet into millimeters first. One inch is approximately 25.4mm.

1. Multiply 25.4 by the length in inches of the finished strand/necklace (excluding clasp). For example, for a 16-inch necklace, calculate 16 x 25.4mm = 406.4 mm.

1. Divide this total length in millimeters (in this case, 406.4mm), by the diameter of the beads to be used (let's use 4mm), and the result will be your number of beads. In our example, 406.4mm divided by 4mm = 101.6 beads.

Below is a quick guide to the number of beads of a given size needed for common strand lengths. The numbers have been rounded up for the 16" through 32" lengths, so that instead of 101.64 beads for the finished 16" strand, the figure is shown as 102 beads. Consider using {{widget type="catalog/category_widget_link" anchor_text="beading boards" template="catalog/category/widget/link/link_inline.phtml" id_path="category/156"}} to help lay out and plan your designs. These boards make it easy to see how many beads you'll need, especially if you'll be mixing together different sizes or using spacers.

Bead Size	1"	4"	16"	18"	20"	24"	28"	32"
2mm	12.7	50.8	204	229	254	305	356	407	3mm	8.47	33.87	136	153	170	204	238	271	4mm	6.35	25.4	102	115	127	153	178	204	5mm	5.08	20.32	82	92	102	122	143	163	6mm	4.23	16.93	68	77	85	102	119	136	7mm	3.63	14.51	59	66	73	88	102	117	8mm	3.175	12.7	51	58	64	77	89	102	10mm	2.54	10.16	41	46	51	61	72	82	12mm	2.12	8.47	34	39	43	51	60	68	14mm	1.81	7.26	30	33	37	44	51	59	16mm	1.59	6.35	26	29	32	39	45	51	18mm	1.41	5.64	23	26	29	34	40	46