Mini, midi, biggie: bead and pegboard sizes (Perler, Hama, Artkal)
Which bead size to choose, which pegboards are compatible, how many pegs: the guide to getting your printed pattern to line up perfectly under the pegboard.
The three bead sizes
| Size | Diameter | Recommended age |
|---|---|---|
| Biggie / Maxi | 10 mm | 3+ |
| Midi (standard) | 5 mm | 5+ |
| Mini | 2.5 mm (Hama) or 2.6 mm (Artkal, Perler) | teens and adults |
Midi pegboards work across brands
At midi size (5 mm), Perler, Hama and Artkal S share the same peg spacing: a pattern fits any of those pegboards. Minis are different: Hama minis are 2.5 mm while Artkal and Perler minis are 2.6 mm, and they don't fit each other's pegboards.
The most common square pegboards
| Pegboard | Pegs | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Large square midi (Perler, Hama) | 29 × 29 | 15 × 15 cm (≈ 5.9 in) |
| Small square midi (Hama) | 14 × 14 | 7.5 × 7.5 cm |
| Large square mini (Hama) | 57 × 57 | 14.5 × 14.5 cm |
| Square biggie (Perler) | — | ≈ 5.9 in |
Why our PDFs line up perfectly
Every bead in our patterns sits at the exact peg spacing, and the sheet has cutting lines at the pegboard's outer size. Print at actual size, check the 5 cm square, cut: the grid slides under the pegboard without sticking out.
FAQ
Do Hama beads fit Perler pegboards?
At midi size, yes: Perler, Hama and Artkal S are all 5 mm.
How many beads fit on a large pegboard?
841 pegs, i.e. 29 × 29.