Bitbead icon

Bitbead

Turn a photo into a fuse bead pattern with real colour codes and an exact bead count.

Category
Crafts
Platforms
Web
Pricing
Free to generate patterns and draw, no signup required; an optional Bitbead Pro plan adds unlimited saved projects, larger canvases, high-resolution PNG exports and printable PDF charts (see the Bitbead pricing page for current plans)
Open Bitbead (bitbead.pomodiary.com) →

Overview

Bitbead is a fuse bead pattern generator. You give it an image, choose a bead brand, and it produces a grid chart where every cell is a real bead colour you can buy, together with the total number of beads, the finished size in centimetres and how many 29×29 pegboards the design will cover.

The problem it solves is the gap between a nice-looking preview and an actual shopping list. Many pattern tools show a pixelated picture but leave you to count colours by hand. Bitbead maps each pixel to the closest bead in the palette you picked using the CIEDE2000 colour-difference formula, then lists every colour code with the exact quantity and its share of the design.

Bitbead ships palettes for Perler, Hama, Artkal (including Artkal Mini), MARD 221, MARD 291 and COCO 291, so the codes on the chart match the labels on the bags you buy. According to the Bitbead site, image conversion runs in your browser, and drafts stay on your device unless you sign in and choose to save or publish them.

Automatic conversion is a starting point, not the final word. Small details such as eyes, outlines and text usually need a few hand corrections, so Bitbead includes simple editing tools for cleaning up the result before you export it.

Key features

  • Brand-accurate colour matching

    Each pixel is matched to the nearest bead colour in the selected brand palette using CIEDE2000, a perceptual colour-distance formula, rather than a simple RGB distance. The result is a chart that only uses colours that actually exist in that product line.

  • Bead count, size and board count

    As you change the pattern width, Bitbead shows the total bead count, the real-world dimensions in centimetres and how many 29×29 pegboards you need. Most projects sit between one board (29×29) and a 4×4 board layout (116×116); larger pixel canvases are part of Bitbead Pro.

  • Per-colour shopping list

    The materials list gives every colour code with the exact count and percentage. You can copy it as tab-separated text to paste into a spreadsheet or send to a supplier; with Bitbead Pro it is also included in the printable PDF chart.

  • Palette and colour-count controls

    Choose the brand, cap the number of colours, and adjust quality and dithering. Limiting colours keeps a project affordable and easier to sort; dithering can smooth gradients at the cost of a noisier, more speckled look.

  • Hand-editing tools

    After automatic quantisation, refine the grid with a brush, eraser, magic wand and colour picker. This is where you fix stray pixels, strengthen outlines and replace colours you do not own.

  • High-resolution PNG and PDF charts (Pro)

    Bitbead Pro adds high-resolution PNG exports and printable PDF charts: a cover page showing the bead count and materials list, followed by grid pages with colour codes, ready to print and keep beside your pegboard.

How to use Bitbead

  1. Open the generator and drop in a PNG, JPG or WebP image. Transparent backgrounds are detected automatically, and plain single-colour backgrounds are flood-filled from the edges and left empty.
  2. Pick the bead brand you will actually buy or already own, so the colour codes on the chart match your supplies.
  3. Set the pattern width in beads. Watch the live bead count and pegboard count; a single 29×29 board is a good size for a first project.
  4. Cap the number of colours and try dithering on and off. Compare the previews and keep the version that reads clearly at the size you chose.
  5. Zoom in and clean up the result with the brush, eraser, magic wand and colour picker. Pay special attention to eyes, outlines and any lettering.
  6. Use the per-colour shopping list to check your stock or place an order before you start placing beads. If you want a high-resolution PNG or a printable PDF chart to keep beside your pegboard, those exports are part of Bitbead Pro.

Who it’s for

  • Fuse bead hobbyists who want exact colour codes and counts before buying beads.
  • Parents, teachers and club leaders planning group projects who need to know how many beads and boards to prepare.
  • Pixel art fans who want to turn sprites or small illustrations into physical pieces.
  • Crafters working with Chinese mini-bead palettes such as MARD and COCO who want charts in those codes.
  • Anyone who prefers that their photos are processed in the browser rather than uploaded to a server.

FAQ

Is Bitbead free?
Generating patterns and drawing are free, without creating an account. An optional Bitbead Pro plan unlocks unlimited saved bead projects, larger pixel canvases, high-resolution PNG exports, printable PDF charts, and export presets and advanced tools as they ship. Check the Bitbead pricing page for current plans and prices.
Which bead brands are supported?
Bitbead includes Perler, Hama, Artkal, Artkal Mini, MARD 221, MARD 291 and COCO 291 palettes. It picks a default based on your interface language and you can switch at any time.
Will the colours on screen match my beads exactly?
Not perfectly. Screens vary, and bead colours are matched to reference values for each code. The chart tells you which code to use; it is worth holding a few real beads against the preview for important colours such as skin tones.
What size should my pattern be?
For a first project, keep it to one 29×29 board. Larger photo portraits generally need at least 58×58 beads (four boards) to look recognisable. Bitbead shows the board count live so you can decide before committing.
Are my photos uploaded?
According to the Bitbead site, image import and pattern generation run locally in your browser. Data is only stored on Bitbead servers if you sign in and choose to save, submit or publish a pattern.

Guides and articles

More from POMODIARY

Questions about Bitbead? Email hi@pomodiary.com or visit our contact page.