Bead Guide
Bead Color Codes 101: What do 24/48/221 colors mean?
Many beginners feel confused when they first see 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 168, and 221 colors: does it refer to pattern size, or the number of colors actually used in a design?
Short Answer First
24 / 48 / 72 / 96 / 120 / 168 / 221 indicates the maximum number of bead color codes available in that scheme. It is not the final pattern size, and you do not have to use every color.
This article uses the MARD color-code system as the baseline. All codes mentioned here refer to MARD codes.
What is a bead pattern color code
In bead patterns, color codes are the identifiers for each bead color. For example A1｜A2｜B7｜H20 they tell you which bead color should be placed in that cell.
So these letters and numbers are not random text. They are your color-placement guide for preparing materials and restoring the design.
Codes such as A1, A2, B7, and H20 in this article all follow the MARD color-code system, not mixed systems from other brands.
What do 24, 48, 72, etc. actually mean
The simplest way to understand it: larger numbers mean more available colors, which usually allows richer detail and smoother transitions.
Important: the number does not mean the pattern definitely uses that many colors.
For example, choosing a 96-color scheme only means generation can pick from up to 96 codes. A final pattern may use 38, 52, or 71 colors, not necessarily all 96.
How beginners can choose
- Just trying it out：Start with 24 or 48 colors for the easiest setup.
- Balance quality and effort：72 or 96 colors usually offers the best balance.
- Aim for higher fidelity：120, 168, or 221 colors gives more room for restoration.
- When materials are incomplete：Do not chase higher color counts blindly. Check what colors you already have first.
Color codes included in each scheme
For easier understanding, the exact codes included in each tier are listed below. All codes here are MARD color codes. Each code is shown as a colored badge so you can directly compare what extra options each tier adds.
24-Color Scheme
A compact starter range. Great for basic practice and simplified styles, with lower material prep effort.
This tier includes 24 color codes, grouped by first letter below.
48-Color Scheme
A common beginner tier. More natural details than 24 colors and suitable for most new creators.
This tier includes 48 color codes, grouped by first letter below.
72-Color Scheme
Smoother transitions for finer results, while still avoiding too much upfront material preparation.
This tier includes 72 color codes, grouped by first letter below.
96-Color Scheme
A richer palette that helps shadows and highlights in portraits, pets, and photo-based patterns.
This tier includes 96 color codes, grouped by first letter below.
120-Color Scheme
Better for higher fidelity and detail goals, with broader color choices closer to the source image.
This tier includes 120 color codes, grouped by first letter below.
144-Color Scheme
Wider than 120 colors, suitable for creators who want to push layering and detail further.
This tier includes 144 color codes, grouped by first letter below.
168-Color Scheme
A very broad usable range for higher precision, with increased sorting and preparation workload.
This tier includes 168 color codes, grouped by first letter below.
221-Color Scheme
An ultra-rich palette for complex scenes and high fidelity, requiring stronger material coverage and color management.
This tier includes 221 color codes, grouped by first letter below.
Final takeaway
24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 168, and 221 describe the available color-code range, not pattern size, and not a required number of colors to use.
This article is fully based on MARD color codes. All code identifiers shown here refer to MARD instead of other brand systems.