How do I count beads on a 16 inch strand?
We start with 25.4 mm per inch and use 16 inches as the planning length. Then we divide by the bead size measured along the hole and leave a small allowance for cord and micro spacing. That yields practical counts you can string without surprises.
Which axis is along the drill depends on shape. See how pears, ovals and rectangles are drilled on our shape pages: Pears, Ovals and Rectangles. For ready-to-string strands, browse our shop.
How many pear beads fit on 16 inches?
Top drilled pears sit shoulder to shoulder, so count by width. Center drilled pears lie lengthwise, so count by length. Anish here: when we count pear briolettes at the booth, we treat the width as the on-string size unless the drill is clearly center-long.
Use these ranges for uniform sections. Graduated strands will vary across the run.
- 5x8 mm, count by 5 mm width: about 80 on 16 inches.
- At 6x9 mm, use the 6 mm width: about 61 to 66 on 16 inches.
- For 8x12 mm widths, the 8 mm line yields about 46 to 50 on 16 inches.
- Widths near 10 mm, as in some 10x14 sets, land around 40 on 16 inches.
- With a center drill, 6x8 mm (length 8): about 46 to 50 on 16 inches.
- If center drilled, 8x10 mm (length 10): about 40 on 16 inches.
- For a center drilled 8x12 mm (length 12): about 33 on 16 inches.
How many oval beads do you need?
Ovals are drilled lengthwise, so use the length number. These sizes match standard oval dimensions used in cutting.
- Short ovals with 4 mm length: about 95 to 100 on 16 inches.
- At 6 mm length, plan about 61 to 66 on 16 inches.
- With 8 mm length, expect about 46 to 50 on 16 inches.
- 10 mm length comes to about 40 on 16 inches. Twelve millimeter length lands near 33.
How many rectangle beads fit?
Most rectangles are drilled lengthwise, so count by length. Top drilled bar styles count by width instead. Match the list to your drilling direction.
- Lengthwise: 6x8 mm rectangles (length 8) give about 46 to 50 on 16 inches.
- Also lengthwise: 8x12 mm or 10x12 mm (length 12) sit around 33 on 16 inches.
- Top drilled bars at 6 mm width run about 61 to 66; at 8 mm about 46 to 50; at 10 mm about 40 on 16 inches.
- At 12 mm width, top drilled bars are about 33 on 16 inches.
How many fit on an 8 inch half strand?
An 8 inch half strand holds roughly half of the 16 inch totals. Use the same along-the-drill dimension and split the 16 inch count for quick planning.
We can split or pair strands on request. Message us through WhatsApp or email from the shop page and we will confirm options before invoicing.
What changes the count on your bench?
Cord diameter, bead taper and end loops trim usable length. Graduated pears center on larger beads, so the on-string dimension grows toward the middle. For tight factory strands, adding clamshells or shorter transitions can drop a bead.
Knotting between beads adds about 1 mm per knot. That can lower small-size counts by several pieces on a 16 inch run.