The short answer: Hama and Perler beads are the same size and fully compatible. They both measure 5 mm, fit the same pegboards, and can be mixed in a single project. They differ in color palettes, pricing, and availability in your region.
If you are wondering whether to mix brands or switch from one to the other, the short version is: you can, without worrying about fit. The details that actually matter are color and cost.
What is compatible
- Size and shape: both are 5 mm tubes with the same peg spacing.
- Pegboards: standard boards from both brands interchange, including connector tabs.
- Ironing paper and tools: identical, use whatever you have.
- Mixing: beads from both brands fuse together fine in one piece.
What actually differs
Colors are the real difference. Perler has about 103 colors with some bright and translucent shades; Hama has around 90, slightly muted. A specific shade from one brand may not have an exact twin in the other, so patterns usually list the brand they were made for. Our color library shows cross-brand matches with measured color differences, and the Perler vs Hama guide covers pricing and where each brand is easier to buy. Patterns in our library list exact color codes, so you can swap brands and still match.