10 mm bead size

See a 10 mm round bead at actual size, convert to inches, and work out how many you need for a bracelet or necklace. Bold focal beads and chunky designs; noticeably heavy in long necklaces.

Diameter
10 mm
nominal round bead
In inches
0.394″
mm ÷ 25.4
Per inch
2.5
25.4 ÷ 10
Per 16″ strand
41
approx (lots vary)

10 mm bead at actual size

actual credit-card width (85.6 mm)
not to scale until calibrated

Calibrate to your screen (or print) so this circle is physically 10 mm across.

Printed at 100% scale, the marks below should measure exactly: the gold line = 1 inch, the "50" tick = 50 mm. If not, set your print scale to 100% (not "fit to page").

How many 10 mm beads do you need?

10 mm in context

SizeInchesPer inchPer 16″ strand
8 mm0.315″3.250
10 mm0.394″2.541
12 mm0.472″2.134

10 mm vs neighboring sizes

actual credit-card width (85.6 mm)
not to scale until calibrated

Calibrate above to compare these at true physical size.

Printed at 100% scale, the marks below should measure exactly: the gold line = 1 inch, the "50" tick = 50 mm. If not, set your print scale to 100% (not "fit to page").

Sources, calibration & how the counts are computed

On-screen sizes are only accurate after you calibrate your display to a real credit/debit card (ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 = 85.60 mm wide). Before you calibrate, beads are shown NOT to scale. For a guaranteed-accurate size, use the print view at 100% with the printed ruler.

Beads per inch and beads per strand use the standard estimate beads = round(length_in x 25.4 / diameter_mm), where 1 inch = 25.4 mm. Counts are approximate; actual bead lots vary.

Data basis: Diameter is the nominal bead size; 16-inch-strand count from Fire Mountain Gems (matches the 25.4/mm-per-inch invariant).

Last reviewed 2026-06-18.

General jewelry-making reference. Bead dimensions are approximate and vary by manufacturer, material, and finish; measure your own beads with calipers when precision matters.

Other sizes