Marathon Polyester to DMC thread conversion chart

Every Marathon Polyester color with its closest DMC Embroidery Floss equivalent, a rating for how close it is and two runner-up options. There are 301 rows. Click any number for the full breakdown.

Floss and machine thread are different materials. DMC six-strand cotton floss has a soft matte look, while Marathon Polyester is polyester machine embroidery thread with a sheen, so the matched floss will look a little softer and flatter than the thread it replaces. Use this chart to pick DMC floss when you stitch a machine embroidery design by hand.

17%very close or better

65%close or better

301Marathon Polyester colors

455DMC Embroidery Floss colors

Near identical 9
Very close 42
Close 144
Approximate 100
Poor match 6

Reverse: DMC → Marathon Polyester Convert a design's list Shop DMC ↗

301 colors

					Match	Alternatives
2005	Daffodil	→	3821	Straw	Very close ΔE 1.4	3852 307
2007	Persimmon	→	3340	Apricot Medium	Close ΔE 3.3	721 3778
2010	Cherry Blossom	→	3804	Cyclamen Pink Dark	Near identical ΔE 0.5	718 3805
2015	Green Dust	→	734	Olive Green Light	Poor match ΔE 10.8	907 906
2016	Pale Yellow	→	3820	Straw Dark	Close ΔE 3.1	3822 165
2017	Light Yellow	→	3820	Straw Dark	Close ΔE 4.1	3822 307
2018	Daffodil	→	3821	Straw	Very close ΔE 1.4	3852 307
2019	Moonbeam	→	3821	Straw	Close ΔE 2.6	3852 307
2020	Canary	→	3852	Straw Very Dark	Very close ΔE 1.5	3821 307
2021	Buttercup	→	728	Topaz	Close ΔE 4.0	973 3852
2022	Gold	→	728	Topaz	Close ΔE 4.5	973 444
2023	Yellow Poppy	→	973	Canary Brt	Close ΔE 3.7	444 728
2024	Buff Orange	→	3854	Autumn Gold Medium	Close ΔE 2.6	729 3824
2025	Old Gold	→	3860	Cocoa	Poor match ΔE 11.7	3012 728
2026	Pale Yellow	→	165	Moss Green Very Light	Close ΔE 4.4	3013 726
2027	Pale Green / Yellow	→	3012	Khaki Green Medium	Near identical ΔE 0.7	704 3013
2028	Sun Shadow	→	581	Moss Green	Close ΔE 4.6	733 732
2029	Almond	→	3826	Golden Brown	Close ΔE 4.9	3859 832
2030	Copper	→	3860	Cocoa	Approximate ΔE 5.7	832 3826
2031	Grape	→	453	Shell Grey Light	Close ΔE 3.1	967 3774
2032	Roebuck	→	451	Shell Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.4	841 3032
2033	Memphis Belle	→	151	Dusty Rose Very Light	Close ΔE 3.6	604 554
2034	Carnatio	→	604	Cranberry Light	Close ΔE 3.5	151 3608
2035	Emily Pink	→	776	Pink Medium	Near identical ΔE 1.0	3341 894
2036	Azalea	→	962	Dusty Rose Medium	Near identical ΔE 0.8	351 893
2037	Medium Pink	→	316	Antique Mauve Medium	Close ΔE 4.4	3726 893
2039	Azalea	→	3607	Plum Light	Very close ΔE 2.0	602 3804
2040	Dark Pink	→	3832	Raspberry Medium	Close ΔE 3.3	304 498
2041	Ruby Glint	→	718	Plum	Close ΔE 2.6	3804 3832
2042	Dark Pink	→	817	Coral Red Very Dark	Close ΔE 3.9	666 309
2043	Cerise	→	335	Rose	Very close ΔE 2.0	817 666
2044	Foxy Red	→	720	Orange Spice Dark	Very close ΔE 1.4	3777 355
2045	Very Red	→	347	Salmon Very Dark	Close ΔE 4.1	326 720
2046	Blossom	→	402	Mahogany Very Light	Close ΔE 2.9	3779 224
2047	Melon	→	722	Orange Spice Light	Very close ΔE 1.1	3773 436
2048	Golden Poppy	→	976	Golden Brown Medium	Close ΔE 4.6	970 740
2049	Golden Poppy	→	970	Pumpkin Light	Close ΔE 4.7	740 971
2050	Dark Yellow	→	972	Canary Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.3	3859 741
2051	Orange	→	946	Burnt Orange Medium	Approximate ΔE 5.3	608 947
2052	Orange	→	946	Burnt Orange Medium	Close ΔE 4.1	608 947
2053	Paprika	→	3801	Dark Melon Very	Close ΔE 3.3	606 946
2054	Atom Red	→	326	Rose Very Dark	Close ΔE 4.4	150 221
2055	Burgundy	→	777	Raspberry Very Dark	Close ΔE 3.7	150 221
2056	Perfect Ruby	→	221	Shell Pink Very Dark	Close ΔE 2.7	3803 3685
2057	Maroon	→	902	Granet Very Dark	Close ΔE 4.3	3803 221
2058	Red Licorice	→	902	Granet Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.4	3803 814
2059	Medium Purple	→	815	Garnet Medium	Approximate ΔE 6.6	814 917
2060	Grape Wine	→	550	Violet Very Light	Approximate ΔE 5.7	3834 902
2062	Ultra Blue	→	3845	Turquoise Medium Bright	Approximate ΔE 6.6	3844 341
2063	Cristy Blue	→	157	Cornflower Blue Very Light	Close ΔE 3.4	3755 159
2064	Light Purple	→	3755	Baby Blue	Close ΔE 4.6	159 156
2065	Caribbean Blue	→	799	Delft Medium	Approximate ΔE 7.7	3844 3755
2066	Dolphin Blue	→	3842	Wedgwood Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.6	3839 3843
2067	Solar Blue	→	3842	Wedgwood Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.1	803 336
2068	Blue	→	796	Royal Blue Dark	Approximate ΔE 9.2	803 797
2069	Fire Blue	→	797	Royal Blue	Approximate ΔE 7.4	796 803
2070	Blue Suede	→	796	Royal Blue Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.9	820 797
2071	Lake Blue	→	336	Navy Blue	Close ΔE 4.8	803 797
2072	Blue Ribbon	→	820	Royal Blue Very Dark	Close ΔE 4.7	796 797
2073	Light Navy	→	939	Navy Blue Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.5	820 823
2075	Deep Windsor	→	311	Navy Blue Medium	Close ΔE 3.7	3750 336
2076	Rose Pink	→	210	Lavender Medium	Close ΔE 3.2	211 554
2078	Light Pink	→	3836	Grape Light	Very close ΔE 2.3	209 153
2079	Violet Tulip	→	155	Blue Violet Medium Dark	Close ΔE 3.6	156 793
2080	Mauve	→	155	Blue Violet Medium Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.7	3838 3746
2081	Iris	→	3746	Blue Violet Dark	Approximate ΔE 7.3	340 3835
2082	Laurie Lilac	→	3834	Grape Dark	Approximate ΔE 7.0	3807 3835
2083	Purple Accent	→	327	Violet Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.4	550 791
2084	Dark Purple	→	327	Violet Dark	Approximate ΔE 7.6	550 3837
2085	Purple Accent	→	791	Cornflower Blue VeryD	Approximate ΔE 6.7	327 550
2086	Purple Maze	→	327	Violet Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.3	823 791
2088	Royal	→	327	Violet Dark	Approximate ΔE 8.3	823 820
2090	Blue Frost	→	996	Electric Blue Medium	Close ΔE 3.1	162 3846
2091	Basic Turquoise	→	3846	Turquoise Light Bright	Approximate ΔE 6.0	996 341
2092	Periwinkle	→	3810	Turquoise Dark	Approximate ΔE 7.9	3846 3849
2093	Dark Blue / Green	→	3802	Antique Mauve Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.2	518 3760
2095	Dark Turquoise Blue	→	3842	Wedgwood Dark	Approximate ΔE 7.6	322 825
2097	M. D. Green	→	3847	Teal Green Dark	Near identical ΔE 0.5	3808 995
2098	Almost Aqua	→	503	Blue Green Medium	Very close ΔE 2.2	598 964
2100	Dark Green	→	3819	Moss Green Light	Approximate ΔE 5.8	734 907
2101	Spruce	→	907	Parrot Green Light	Approximate ΔE 7.7	164 165
2103	Irish Green	→	911	Emerald Green Medium	Close ΔE 3.5	910 505
2104	Peppermint	→	958	Sea Green Dark	Close ΔE 4.7	3809 3848
2105	Green Bay	→	909	Emerald Green Very Dark	Close ΔE 4.0	910 991
2106	Imperial Aqua	→	3808	Turquoise Ultra Very Dark	Close ΔE 3.2	3847 909
2108	Jungle Green	→	911	Emerald Green Medium	Close ΔE 4.2	910 3814
2109	Green Forest	→	909	Emerald Green Very Dark	Close ΔE 4.6	910 3808
2110	Green	→	702	Kelly Green	Close ΔE 5.0	580 905
2111	Palmetto	→	905	Parrot Green Dark	Approximate ΔE 8.4	904 520
2113	Khaki	→	3051	Green Grey Dark	Close ΔE 5.0	520 936
2114	Mitchell Green	→	986	Forest Green Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.4	991 500
2115	Palest Ivory	→	822	Beige Grey Light	Close ΔE 2.4	928 746
2120	Pale Peach	→	453	Shell Grey Light	Close ΔE 2.7	842 543
2121	Amber Beige	→	3782	Mocho Brown Light	Close ΔE 2.6	3771 3864
2123	Gold	→	842	Beige Brown Very Light	Close ΔE 3.6	3771 3782
2126	Impala	→	834	Golden Olive Very Light	Close ΔE 2.6	3827 725
2127	Fawn	→	841	Beige Brown Light	Close ΔE 4.1	3861 370
2130	Dark Olive Green	→	3031	Mocha Brown Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.7	3051 838
2131	Light Cocoa	→	840	Beige Brown Medium	Close ΔE 3.6	829 420
2132	Red Berry	→	720	Orange Spice Dark	Close ΔE 4.5	400 300
2133	Burgundy	→	300	Mahogany Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.3	777 938
2135	Dark Brown	→	839	Beige Brown Dark	Close ΔE 4.7	838 938
2137	Blue Blush	→	415	Pearl Grey	Very close ΔE 2.1	928 644
2138	Pearl Gray	→	3024	Brown Grey Very Light	Close ΔE 4.3	3042 648
2139	Traditional Gray	→	642	Beige Grey Dark	Very close ΔE 1.2	3022 640
2140	Banner Gray	→	640	Beige Grey Very Dark	Close ΔE 5.0	169 3022
2150	Dark Grey	→	935	Avocado Green Dark	Approximate ΔE 9.7	934 500
2151	Erin Green	→	3819	Moss Green Light	Poor match ΔE 10.5	907 734
2152	Neon Orange	→	3801	Dark Melon Very	Approximate ΔE 5.7	946 606
2153	Fluo Pink	→	3705	Melon Dark	Close ΔE 4.8	892 350
2154	Tender Yellow	→	744	Yellow Pale	Close ΔE 3.2	727 445
2155	Lemon	→	3821	Straw	Close ΔE 3.2	3820 3822
2156	Merit Gold	→	444	Lemon Dark	Very close ΔE 1.5	973 3853
2157	Mango	→	3853	Autumn Gold Dark	Near identical ΔE 0.5	444 742
2158	Tusk	→	727	Topaz Very Light	Very close ΔE 1.8	744 677
2159	Penny	→	728	Topaz	Very close ΔE 2.3	973 444
2160	Apricot Wash	→	729	Old Gold Medium	Close ΔE 3.2	3824 422
2162	Shimmering Gold	→	167	Yellowbeige Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 9.0	3860 3829
2163	Light Pink	→	211	Lavender Light	Close ΔE 3.1	3689 3708
2164	Pink	→	604	Cranberry Light	Very close ΔE 1.3	151 957
2166	Floral Pink	→	3806	Cyclamen Pink Light	Close ΔE 4.1	603 3833
2167	Ruby Glint	→	3805	Cyclamen Pink	Approximate ΔE 5.6	718 3804
2168	Strawberry	→	335	Rose	Close ΔE 3.1	817 666
2169	Ruby Glint	→	917	Plum Medium	Very close ΔE 1.1	915 816
2170	Ivory	→	963	Dusty Rose Ultra Very L	Close ΔE 2.5	818 211
2171	Crystal Pink	→	3354	Dusty Rose Light	Very close ΔE 1.3	3716 3689
2172	Crystal Pink	→	3354	Dusty Rose Light	Close ΔE 3.1	967 3042
2173	Peach	→	224	Shell Pink Very Light	Close ΔE 3.1	967 402
2174	Bisque	→	967	Apricot Very Light	Very close ΔE 1.3	224 778
2175	Marigold	→	740	Tangerine	Approximate ΔE 6.8	3826 3859
2176	Honeysuckle	→	606	Bright Orange Red	Approximate ΔE 5.3	3801 355
2177	Crystal Pink	→	3716	Dusty Rose Very Light	Close ΔE 2.4	957 3689
2178	Orchid Pink	→	151	Dusty Rose Very Light	Close ΔE 2.6	894 3727
2179	Dusty Rose	→	961	Dusty Rose Dark	Very close ΔE 1.0	899 3712
2180	Terra Cotta	→	150	Dusty Rose Ultra Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.5	777 918
2181	Dark Rust	→	3777	Terra Cotta Very Dark	Close ΔE 2.6	355 720
2182	Orange / Red	→	900	Burnt Orange Dark	Close ΔE 2.3	3777 355
2183	Bashful Pink	→	350	Coral Medium	Close ΔE 4.2	602 891
2184	Wildfire	→	347	Salmon Very Dark	Close ΔE 2.8	326 720
2185	Dark Red	→	902	Granet Very Dark	Close ΔE 2.4	814 815
2186	Medium Purple	→	550	Violet Very Light	Approximate ΔE 8.1	154 902
2187	Pastel Blue	→	519	Sky Blue	Very close ΔE 1.8	3752 3325
2188	Cadet Blue	→	162	Blue Ultra Very Light	Close ΔE 2.3	794 3325
2189	Baby Blue	→	341	Blue Violet Light	Close ΔE 4.0	157 3755
2191	Bright Blue	→	3839	Lavender Bleu Medium	Close ΔE 4.4	334 156
2192	Soldier Blue	→	158	Cornflower Blue Medium V	Approximate ΔE 8.1	3807 322
2195	Blue Suede	→	796	Royal Blue Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.9	820 797
2196	Blue Suede	→	796	Royal Blue Dark	Approximate ΔE 7.7	820 797
2197	Oriental Blue	→	155	Blue Violet Medium Dark	Close ΔE 4.5	156 160
2198	Ozone	→	3845	Turquoise Medium Bright	Close ΔE 3.9	3844 341

					Match	Alternatives
2199	Imperial Blue	→	803	Baby Blue Ultra Very Dark	Close ΔE 4.9	158 336
2201	Blue Ribbon	→	820	Royal Blue Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.4	796 797
2202	Pastel Lilac	→	3836	Grape Light	Approximate ΔE 8.3	153 159
2203	Pale Purple	→	155	Blue Violet Medium Dark	Approximate ΔE 8.4	3836 340
2204	Medium Pink	→	3806	Cyclamen Pink Light	Poor match ΔE 11.0	340 3835
2208	Violet	→	3807	Cornflower Bleu	Close ΔE 3.0	3838 3834
2209	Light Navy	→	939	Navy Blue Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 7.8	820 796
2210	Dark Purple / Navy	→	823	Navy Blue Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.6	327 939
2211	Medium Purple	→	553	Violet	Approximate ΔE 7.4	208 3726
2212	Intense Maroon	→	154	Grape Very Dark	Close ΔE 3.0	791 3021
2214	M. D. Green	→	3810	Turquoise Dark	Close ΔE 4.8	3809 3848
2215	Oceanic Green	→	517	Wedgewood Medium	Close ΔE 2.4	3765 806
2216	Mallard Blue	→	3766	Peacock Blue Light	Very close ΔE 2.1	3750 3808
2217	J. Turquoise	→	806	Peacock Blue Dark	Very close ΔE 1.7	3765 517
2218	Brite Jade	→	3809	Turquoise Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.5	3848 806
2219	Garden Green	→	3808	Turquoise Ultra Very Dark	Very close ΔE 2.1	3847 3766
2220	Blue Spruce	→	311	Navy Blue Medium	Close ΔE 3.5	3750 3766
2221	Deep Windsor	→	311	Navy Blue Medium	Close ΔE 4.7	336 3750
2222	Dark Blue	→	311	Navy Blue Medium	Approximate ΔE 9.9	3750 500
2223	Light Blue	→	3813	Bleu Green Light	Close ΔE 3.9	964 993
2224	Soothing Sea	→	3813	Bleu Green Light	Close ΔE 3.2	3325 827
2225	Blue Glass	→	964	Sea Green Light	Very close ΔE 1.5	598 3813
2226	Bleached Aqua	→	996	Electric Blue Medium	Close ΔE 3.5	3325 162
2227	Mint Julep	→	996	Electric Blue Medium	Close ΔE 4.8	3811 3817
2229	Medium Blue / Green	→	3845	Turquoise Medium Bright	Approximate ΔE 5.7	3846 3844
2231	Mid Windsor	→	3844	Turquoise Dark Bright	Close ΔE 3.0	3845 799
2232	Medium Blue	→	3842	Wedgwood Dark	Close ΔE 5.0	322 3843
2233	Dark Aqua Green	→	995	Electric Blue Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.9	3802 517
2237	Pale Aqua	→	3817	Celadon Green Light	Approximate ΔE 5.4	959 3816
2241	Green	→	906	Parrot Green Medium	Poor match ΔE 13.5	164 907
2242	Kelly	→	3818	Emarald Green Ultra Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.0	505 3850
2243	Peacock Green	→	958	Sea Green Dark	Close ΔE 2.7	943 3814
2244	Green Forest	→	3808	Turquoise Ultra Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.7	909 991
2245	Dark Olive Green	→	3348	Yellow Green Light	Close ΔE 4.3	472 772
2246	Meadow Green	→	703	Chartreuse	Approximate ΔE 8.6	581 906
2247	Meadow	→	703	Chartreuse	Approximate ΔE 8.5	905 702
2250	Pale Green	→	905	Parrot Green Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.5	904 702
2251	Evergreen	→	991	Aquamarine Dark	Approximate ΔE 7.4	700 986
2252	Field Green	→	991	Aquamarine Dark	Close ΔE 3.0	561 986
2253	Green	→	520	Fern Green Dark	Close ΔE 3.9	937 3051
2254	Dark Army Green	→	500	Blue Green Very Dark	Close ΔE 3.6	986 501
2255	Cocoa Mulch	→	739	Tan Ultra Very Light	Close ΔE 3.2	745 3033
2256	Silver Fern	→	704	Chartreuse Bright	Close ΔE 3.1	3012 3013
2262	Moss	→	992	Aquamarine	Approximate ΔE 5.6	502 3816
2265	Pale Blue	→	807	Peacock Blue	Close ΔE 4.0	3849 992
2275	Rattan	→	3828	Hazelnut Brown	Close ΔE 3.8	3829 372
2283	Dark Brown	→	3781	Mocha Brown Dark	Approximate ΔE 5.5	839 779
2285	Espresso	→	935	Avocado Green Dark	Poor match ΔE 11.3	3799 154
2286	New Gold	→	945	Flesh Medium	Very close ΔE 1.1	676 3825
2287	Tawny	→	3771	Terra Cotta Ultra Very Light	Close ΔE 4.0	402 224
2288	Bamboo	→	422	Hazel Nut Brown Light	Near identical ΔE 0.8	437 729
2289	Orange / Brown	→	433	Brown Medium	Very close ΔE 1.6	3857 3858
2290	Orange / Brown	→	3857	Rosewood Dark	Close ΔE 2.3	433 801
2291	Brown	→	839	Beige Brown Dark	Close ΔE 4.5	898 3781
2292	Pale Grey	→	640	Beige Grey Very Dark	Very close ΔE 1.6	3022 642
2294	Orchid Tint	→	3042	Antique Violet Light	Close ΔE 3.1	211 452
2298	Vapor	→	928	Grey Green Very Light	Very close ΔE 1.8	644 415
2301	Jadeite	→	169	Pewter Light	Close ΔE 2.8	597 502
2306	Navy	→	820	Royal Blue Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 8.9	797 796
2006	Peach Fuzz	→	945	Flesh Medium	Very close ΔE 1.4	676 3825
2008	Lilac Sachet	→	151	Dusty Rose Very Light	Close ΔE 3.4	604 554
2009	Begonia Pink	→	3608	Plum Very Light	Very close ΔE 2.2	3833 893
2011	Rosebloom	→	3608	Plum Very Light	Close ΔE 3.6	893 3833
2012	Rosebloom	→	3608	Plum Very Light	Close ΔE 3.6	893 3833
2013	Strawberry Ice	→	316	Antique Mauve Medium	Close ΔE 3.2	223 922
2125	Almond Cream	→	945	Flesh Medium	Very close ΔE 1.3	676 3825
2161	Grain	→	3771	Terra Cotta Ultra Very Light	Very close ΔE 1.2	729 422
2165	Cameo Pink	→	151	Dusty Rose Very Light	Close ΔE 3.8	604 776
2038	Sea Pink	→	893	Carnation Light	Close ΔE 3.5	316 3608
2061	Crystal Blue	→	794	Cornflower Blue Light	Close ΔE 3.7	162 813
2190	Della Robbia Blue	→	156	Blue Violet Medium Light	Close ΔE 4.1	799 160
2193	Wedgewood	→	3839	Lavender Bleu Medium	Close ΔE 4.6	161 798
2194	Bleached Denim	→	161	Gray Blue	Approximate ΔE 5.0	798 792
2200	Tempest	→	160	Gray Blue Medium	Approximate ΔE 5.2	931 334
2074	Gray Ridge	→	3787	Brown Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.5	3740 3790
2077	Winsome Orchid	→	210	Lavender Medium	Approximate ΔE 6.5	153 554
2205	Sweet Lavender	→	793	Cornflower Blue Medium	Approximate ΔE 6.7	156 155
2206	Persian Violet	→	793	Cornflower Blue Medium	Close ΔE 4.4	155 160
2207	Dusk	→	793	Cornflower Blue Medium	Close ΔE 4.4	3740 340
2087	Dusted Peri	→	792	Cornflower Blue Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.9	161 798
2213	Purple Sage	→	3787	Brown Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 8.2	413 792
2096	Light Clear Blue	→	3849	Teal Green Light	Very close ΔE 1.8	807 518
2089	Bleached Aqua	→	3813	Bleu Green Light	Close ΔE 4.8	996 993
2228	Crystal Blue	→	794	Cornflower Blue Light	Close ΔE 3.7	162 813
2230	Alaskan Blue	→	3844	Turquoise Dark Bright	Approximate ΔE 6.9	799 3845
2094	Cobalt	→	799	Delft Medium	Approximate ΔE 5.7	341 334
2234	Ambrosia	→	564	Jade Very Light	Close ΔE 3.0	955 504
2099	Ambrosia	→	564	Jade Very Light	Close ΔE 3.0	955 504
2235	Bird Egg Green	→	959	Sea Green Medium	Very close ΔE 2.3	563 993
2236	Green Ash	→	954	Nile Green	Very close ΔE 1.7	164 368
2238	Ocean Wave	→	3816	Celadon Green	Close ΔE 2.4	959 992
2239	Blue Turquoise	→	3849	Teal Green Light	Close ΔE 3.1	3810 807
2102	Spearmint	→	3851	Green Light Bright	Close ΔE 2.7	3812 3816
2240	Brilliant Green	→	164	Forestgreen Light	Close ΔE 3.9	913 954
2248	Sage Green	→	3364	Pine Green	Close ΔE 4.0	704 3053
2249	Seneca Rock	→	3052	Green Grey Medium	Approximate ΔE 6.6	640 3364
2112	Stormy Sea	→	926	Grey Green Light	Approximate ΔE 6.2	931 646
2257	Sea Foam	→	503	Blue Green Medium	Close ΔE 4.9	959 992
2258	Silver Lining	→	3023	Brown Grey Light	Very close ΔE 2.0	647 318
2259	Silver Lining	→	3023	Brown Grey Light	Very close ΔE 2.0	647 318
2260	Misty Jade	→	993	Aquamarine Light	Near identical ΔE 0.9	563 564
2261	Aqua Gray	→	642	Beige Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.2	168 169
2263	Aqua Gray	→	642	Beige Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.2	168 169
2264	Aqua Gray	→	642	Beige Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.2	168 169
2266	Tourmaline	→	169	Pewter Light	Approximate ΔE 6.2	341 518
2267	Smoke Blue	→	826	Blue Medium	Close ΔE 4.9	3760 930
2107	Evergreen	→	991	Aquamarine Dark	Approximate ΔE 8.4	986 500
2268	Evergreen	→	991	Aquamarine Dark	Approximate ΔE 8.4	986 500
2269	Evergreen	→	991	Aquamarine Dark	Approximate ΔE 8.4	986 500
2270	Evergreen	→	991	Aquamarine Dark	Approximate ΔE 8.4	986 500
2271	Cloud Dancer	→	3743	Antique Violet Very L	Close ΔE 2.9	822 948
2116	Star White	→	948	Peach Flesh Very Light	Close ΔE 2.5	822 746
2272	Pastel Parchment	→	3713	Salmon Very Light	Close ΔE 3.9	754 3042
2117	Whisper White	→	822	Beige Grey Light	Very close ΔE 1.4	746 712
2118	Whisper Pink	→	3033	Mocha Brown Very Light	Close ΔE 4.0	543 842
2273	Crystal Gray	→	453	Shell Grey Light	Approximate ΔE 5.0	3042 543
2119	Shell	→	543	Beige Brown Ultra Very Light	Very close ΔE 2.1	453 754
2274	Peach Whip	→	967	Apricot Very Light	Close ΔE 3.8	452 453
2122	Gray Morn	→	3023	Brown Grey Light	Near identical ΔE 0.9	318 647
2276	Simply Taupe	→	524	Fern Green Very Light	Approximate ΔE 7.1	640 3053
2277	String	→	640	Beige Grey Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.6	524 3022
2278	Adobe Rose	→	451	Shell Grey Dark	Close ΔE 3.8	152 452
2128	Rugby Tan	→	3782	Mocho Brown Light	Close ΔE 3.2	524 3032
2279	Gray	→	3023	Brown Grey Light	Approximate ΔE 5.5	640 642
2280	String	→	640	Beige Grey Very Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.6	524 3022
2124	Sphinx	→	451	Shell Grey Dark	Close ΔE 4.6	524 3032
2281	Mushroom	→	524	Fern Green Very Light	Close ΔE 4.3	452 3782
2282	Sphinx	→	451	Shell Grey Dark	Close ΔE 4.6	524 3032
2129	Quail	→	317	Pewter Grey	Close ΔE 3.5	414 3740
2284	Gray Ridge	→	3787	Brown Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.5	3740 3790
2134	Twilight Mauve	→	3787	Brown Grey Dark	Close ΔE 3.2	3790 3740
2141	Lilac Gray	→	927	Grey Green Light	Approximate ΔE 5.6	648 647
2142	Hushed Violet	→	3042	Antique Violet Light	Close ΔE 2.4	452 927
2293	Lilac Gray	→	927	Grey Green Light	Approximate ΔE 5.6	648 647
2295	Silver Rose	→	793	Cornflower Blue Medium	Approximate ΔE 6.9	317 414
2296	Gull	→	646	Beaver Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 7.8	640 317
2144	Lavender Aura	→	3022	Brown Grey Medium	Approximate ΔE 7.9	932 793
2145	Gull Gray	→	3022	Brown Grey Medium	Close ΔE 4.7	640 642
2297	White Sand	→	3024	Brown Grey Very Light	Close ΔE 4.6	928 746
2136	Blue Blush	→	644	Beige Grey Medium	Very close ΔE 2.2	928 415
2299	Pearl Blue	→	168	Pewter Very Light	Close ΔE 3.9	813 932
2300	Highrise	→	642	Beige Grey Dark	Very close ΔE 1.5	647 3022
2302	Gull Gray	→	3022	Brown Grey Medium	Close ΔE 4.7	640 642
2303	Dapple Gray	→	3022	Brown Grey Medium	Approximate ΔE 6.5	932 640
2143	Thistle	→	809	Delft	Approximate ΔE 6.1	932 3840
2146	Purple Cloud	→	156	Blue Violet Medium Light	Approximate ΔE 5.9	160 3755
2304	Silver Rose	→	793	Cornflower Blue Medium	Approximate ΔE 6.9	317 414
2147	Gray Ridge	→	3787	Brown Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.5	3740 3790
2148	Dusk	→	793	Cornflower Blue Medium	Close ΔE 4.4	3740 340
2305	Gray Ridge	→	3787	Brown Grey Dark	Approximate ΔE 6.5	3740 3790
2149	Snow White	→	746	Off White	Very close ΔE 1.1	822 948

Match quality is the CIEDE2000 color difference (ΔE00) worked out from screen RGB values. Sheen (rayon against polyester), thread weight and dye lot also change how a substitute looks, so check a real thread card before ordering.

About Marathon Polyester

Marathon Polyester is a 40 wt trilobal polyester machine embroidery thread popular with home and small-shop embroiderers for its price and wide shade range.

About DMC Embroidery Floss

DMC six-strand embroidery floss (Mouliné Spécial, article 117) is the cotton floss most cross-stitch and hand embroidery patterns are written for. DMC has made it in Mulhouse, France since the eighteenth century and numbers every shade, from 01 to 3866 plus White and Ecru.

More Marathon Polyester conversion charts

All Marathon Polyester charts →

Frequently asked questions

Is there a Marathon Polyester to DMC conversion chart?

Yes. This page lists the closest DMC Embroidery Floss color for all 301 Marathon Polyester colors, worked out with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula from each brand's published color values.

How many Marathon Polyester colors have a close match in DMC?

51 of the 301 colors (17%) rate Very close or better, and 65% rate Close or better. The other 106 only have approximate substitutes.

Can I convert DMC back to Marathon Polyester?

Yes, use the reverse chart, DMC to Marathon Polyester. The two palettes are different, so the reverse match is not always the same color you started from.