Complete Guide to Miyuki Beads – Seed Beads, Delica, Tila & Bugle

Explore the different Miyuki bead shapes used in jewellery making, from round seed beads and Delica cylinders to two-hole Tila beads, Bugles and Spacers. This guide helps you choose the bead format your pattern requires and understand how shape, size and hole arrangement affect the finished design.

For manufacturer reference measurements and size comparisons, see our Miyuki bead size guide. Measurements are approximate, so check individual product details where precise sizing matters.

Miyuki round seed beads

Round rocailles have a rounded profile and can be used for bead weaving, embroidery, fringe, edging and stringing. Choose the size specified in your pattern rather than assuming different grades are interchangeable.

  • Round 15/0: approximately 1.5 mm outer diameter with a 0.7 mm hole, useful for fine detail and delicate edging.
  • Round 11/0: approximately 2.0 mm outer diameter with a 0.8 mm hole, for patterns using this versatile round bead size.
  • Round 8/0: approximately 3.0 mm outer diameter with a 1.1 mm hole, for larger-profile beadwork and mixed-bead designs.
  • Round 6/0: approximately 4.5 mm outer diameter with a 1.5 mm hole, for larger-scale stringing and decorative beadwork.

These are Miyuki manufacturer reference values, not guaranteed tolerances. Size grades such as 11/0 are not measurements in millimetres.

Miyuki Delica beads

Miyuki Delica 11/0 beads have a cylindrical profile that helps neighbouring beads sit neatly together. They suit geometric patterns, lettering, peyote stitch, brick stitch and loom projects written for cylinder beads.

Delica 11/0 beads have a reference outer diameter of approximately 1.6 mm and hole diameter of 0.8 mm. Round 11/0 beads are approximately 2.0 mm across, so the shared size grade does not mean the two shapes produce identical results.

Choosing between round beads and Delica

Start with the bead shape and size in your pattern. Round beads and cylinders create different textures, spacing and proportions. Substituting one for the other can change the finished dimensions and how the beadwork fits together.

Designs can combine shapes and sizes, but choose a pattern that accounts for those differences rather than replacing beads automatically.

Tila, Half Tila and Quarter Tila beads

These flat two-hole beads provide different proportions for structured beadwork. Their manufacturer reference dimensions are:

  • Tila: approximately 5 × 5 × 1.9 mm.
  • Half Tila: approximately 5 × 2.3 × 1.9 mm.
  • Quarter Tila: approximately 5 × 1.2 × 1.9 mm.

The final dimension is thickness. Each format has two holes with a reference diameter of approximately 0.8 mm per hole. Follow the bead format and threading arrangement specified by your pattern.

Miyuki Bugle beads

Bugles are elongated beads used for linear accents, fringe, embroidery and patterned beadwork. Compare length and outer diameter separately when choosing supplies.

Standard round 3 mm Bugles have a reference outer diameter of approximately 1.5 mm and a 0.7 mm hole. Standard round 6 mm Bugles have a reference outer diameter of approximately 1.7 mm and a 0.8 mm hole.

Miyuki Spacer beads

Spacer beads can add separation, colour and texture between other components. Compare the dimensions and hole details in each listing with your design. Browse our 2.2 mm Miyuki Spacer beads and 3 mm Miyuki Spacer beads for the formats available.

Choosing needles, thread and quantities

Choose needles and thread to suit the actual bead hole, the number of passes and the tension your pattern requires. There is no single needle or thread size that suits every design. Test your combination on a small sample and avoid forcing a needle through a tight bead.

For cord or elastic, allow for doubled strands and check knots separately. Compare the pack weight or quantity with your pattern requirements, allowing extra for samples, adjustments and finishing.

Matching colours and caring for finishes

Use the full Miyuki product code, bead shape, size and finish when matching supplies. Similar colour names may describe different surface effects, and photographs can look different across screens.

Care requirements vary by colour and finish. Follow product-specific guidance rather than assuming every coating has the same resistance to wear, moisture, perfume or chemicals.

Further size information

Use our Miyuki bead size chart and comparison guide for a central reference. Manufacturer measurements are available in Miyuki’s Size and Bead Count Data.