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Needle size guide
Pick a fabric, or a needle size, and see the matching NM and US size pair, the point type and a thread note.
In short
Needles are sized in metric NM and US pairs from 60/8 for silk and chiffon to 120/19 for very heavy canvas. 80/12 suits quilting cotton, 90/14 medium cottons and light denim, 100/16 denim and canvas. Use universal points on wovens and ballpoint or stretch on knits.
Find your needle
80/12
NM / US size · Light to medium
- Typical fabrics
- quilting cotton, poplin, shirting
- Point type
- Universal or quilting
- Thread
- Standard 50 weight polyester or cotton.
Common guidance: brands vary, so test on a scrap. Domestic machines use the 130/705H needle system; overlockers may need a different system, check the manual.
All sizes at a glance
| NM/US | Typical fabrics |
|---|---|
| 60/8 | silk, chiffon, organza |
| 65/9 | silk, chiffon, organza |
| 70/10 | lawn, voile, fine cotton |
| 75/11 | lightweight jersey, lingerie knits |
| 80/12 | quilting cotton, poplin, shirting |
| 90/14 | medium weight cotton, linen, fleece, light denim |
| 100/16 | denim, canvas, upholstery fabric |
| 110/18 | heavy denim, heavy canvas |
| 120/19 | very heavy canvas, upholstery |