Heavy-duty needle & thread size chart
Match your needle to your thread before you sew Sunbrella, webbing or 10 oz leather. These tables are reproduced from the public charts credited under each one.
1. Thread (Tex) to needle size
| Thread size (Tex) | 45 | 70 | 90 | 135 | 210 | 270 | 350 | 410 | 600 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needle size | 14–16 | 16–18 | 18–20 | 20–22 | 22–24 | 24–26 | 26–28 | 28–30 | 30–32 |
Source: IndSew Hawaii, "Tips and Guides – Needle Sizes, Thread Sizes", indsewhawaii.com/tips_and_guides.asp. They note some machines can't take thicker needles or need adjustment.
2. Bonded thread equivalents, 7x3 round-point vs 794 chisel-point (leather) needles
| Old size | Tex | Cord equivalent | 7x3 needle | 794 leather needle | Yards/lb | Diameter (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z69 | T70 | F | 7x3110 | – | 6450 | .0090 |
| Z99 | T90 | 7x3130 | – | 4375 | .0110 | |
| Z138 | T135 | U-150 | 7x3160 | 794160 | 3230 | .0135 |
| Z207 | T210 | U-25 / 3 | 7x3180 | 794200 | 2234 | .0180 |
| Z277 | T270 | U-300 / 4 | 7x3200 | 794200 | 1615 | .0240 |
| Z346 | T350 | U-350 / 5 | 7x3230 | 794250 | 1220 | .0260 |
| Z415 | T400 | U-450 / 6 | 7x3250 | 794250 | 1060 | .0290 |
Source: Tippmann Industrial, "Needle and Thread Guide" (for the Tippmann Boss), tippmannindustrial.com/content/Needle-and-Thread-Guide.pdf. Tippmann recommends round point for fabrics and nylon webbing, chisel point only for leather, and round point for stitch lengths of 10+ per inch.
3. Walking-foot example: Consew 206RB (135x17 fabric / 135x16 leather needles)
| Needle size | 12 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton thread size | 80–90 | 70–80 | 60–70 | 40–60 | 30–40 | 24–30 | 16–24 | 12–16 |
Source: Consew 206RB Operating Instructions, via Superior Sewing, supsew.com (PDF). The manual specifies left-twist thread in the needle.