Mini, Midi or Maxi? How to pick the right bead size

Mini (2.5 mm), midi (5 mm) or maxi (10 mm)? See the difference in size, age, color range and time – and which bead size to choose.

Three sizes, three completely different experiences

Hama (and similar brands like Nabbi and Pyssla) sell beads in three main sizes: Mini, Midi and Maxi. They look similar on the package, but give wildly different results — and suit different ages and projects.

The practical measurements

Maxi: 10 mm diameter, 9 mm tall — big, for the smallest hands
Midi: 5 mm diameter, 5 mm tall — standard, "the regular one"
Mini: 2.5 mm diameter, 2 mm tall — tiny, for detailed projects

Maxi: The big ones

Maxi is double the size of Midi. Perfect for kids ages 3-5 who can barely coordinate their fingers yet, and perfect for big decorative pieces where you want something substantial without taking weeks.

Plus: finished quickly, easy to handle, grown-up-friendly.
Minus: less detail, fewer colors available, the motif looks coarse.

Midi: The standard right one

Midi is the standard — 90% of all bead art and YouTube tutorials revolve around Midi. Suits everyone from age 6 and up. Best balance between detail, speed and availability.

Plus: the widest range of colors (all 89 Hama colors), available everywhere, lots of patterns online, works for figures and large art pieces alike.
Minus: none, if you're over 6.

Mini: The small ones for detail

Mini beads are only half the size of Midi. Best for ages 9-10 and up — fingers need to be very precise. In return, you can make incredibly detailed images that look like real mosaic.

Plus: artistic precision, same motif fits in less physical space, "wow" factor when people see the finished piece.
Minus: takes 4× as long as Midi (same dimensions), fewer colors, needs good lighting and patience.

Colors and boards in each size

The number of Hama colors and the board size differ:

Size	Bead	Hama colors	Standard board
Maxi	10 mm	31	16×16 beads
Midi	5 mm	89	29×29 beads
Mini	2.5 mm	79	57×57 beads

See every color in the Hama color code list.

Comparison: same motif, three sizes

A 29×29 motif — say a small blue fish — becomes:

In Maxi: 29 cm × 29 cm. As big as a small book. Done in 30-45 min.
In Midi: 14.5 cm × 14.5 cm. Like a little canvas. Done in 1-1.5 hours.
In Mini: 7 cm × 7 cm. Postcard-sized. Done in 3-4 hours.

What should I pick if I'm not sure?

Midi. It's not for nothing that it's the standard. You get the widest color selection, you can find most patterns, and the result looks great without taking the whole weekend.

On Perleland.dk you can pick which size your pattern should be tailored to upfront. The tool adjusts colors and resolution automatically — so you get a pattern that's actually buildable with your beads.