Gear guide

Best Macrame Beads With Large Holes

Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick

The usual problem with macrame beads is the hole: a bead chosen for its looks will not slide over the cord. As a rule the hole should be about 1 to 2 mm wider than the cord. For 3mm macrame cord that means about 4 mm at minimum and 5 mm for comfort; for 4mm cord about 5 mm and 6 mm; for 5mm cord about 6 mm and 7 to 8 mm. Two strands through one bead need a wider hole still, and several sets here have 10 mm holes. Wooden beads also differ in outer size, in shape (round, barrel, tube), in finish (unfinished wood that can be painted or stained, dyed colors, varnish) and in count per pack. This guide compares six sets of wooden beads that state the hole diameter in the listing, by bead size, hole, finish and count, using only what each listing states. Nothing was tested. If a bead is a tight fit on a plant hanger or wall hanging, tape the cord end to a point before threading.

Compare the picks

Pick	Bead size	Hole	Finish	Count	Price	Per piece	Link
BUXIMN 20 mm round wooden beads, 10 mm hole, 100 pcs	20 mm round	10 mm	Dyed, 4 colors	100	-	-	Amazon
WILLBOND macrame wooden beads, 10 mm hole, 130 pcs	20 x 15 and 30 x 20 mm	10 mm	Varnished, wood color	130	-	-	Amazon
woodeni unfinished 20 mm wood beads, 10 mm hole, 100 pcs	20 mm	10 mm	Unfinished natural	100	-	-	Amazon
IIXOXII barrel wood beads, 7 to 8 mm hole, 200 pcs	16 x 16-17 mm barrel	7 to 8 mm	Dyed, 4 colors	200	-	-	Amazon
Pndeyo large hole wooden beads, 9.5 mm hole, 60 pcs	19.2 x 15.5 mm	9.5 mm	6 colors	60	-	-	Amazon
DUMEALAGR barrel wooden beads, 5 mm hole, 400 pcs	12 x 11 mm barrel	5 mm	Painted, mixed colors	400	-	-	Amazon

Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.

If you just want one

Closest match for the jobBUXIMN 20 mm round wooden beads, 10 mm hole, 100 pcsEach bead measures 20 mm in diameter with a 10 mm (0.39 in) hole, stated in both units.
Most for the money on paperDUMEALAGR barrel wooden beads, 5 mm hole, 400 pcsThe listing states a 5 mm hole, the comfortable size for a single strand of 3mm macrame cord.
Most complete listingWILLBOND macrame wooden beads, 10 mm hole, 130 pcsTwo shapes come in one pack: 100 round beads of 20 x 15 mm and 30 tube beads of 30 x 20 mm.

The picks in detail

Pick 1 · BUXIMN

BUXIMN 20 mm round wooden beads, 10 mm hole, 100 pcs

See price on Amazon

One hundred 20 mm round wooden beads with a 10 mm (0.39 in) hole, 25 each in beige, dark coffee, light coffee and black. The hole is wide enough for 5mm cord or for two strands of thinner cord.

What the listing offers

Each bead measures 20 mm in diameter with a 10 mm (0.39 in) hole, stated in both units.
The color split is stated: 25 beads each in beige, dark coffee, light coffee and black.
The listing names macrame and plant holders among the uses and describes a polished surface with no burrs.

Limits to know

The beads are already dyed and painted, so this is not a set for staining to your own color.
The type of wood is not stated in the listing.

See it on AmazonListing title: BUXIMN 20 mm Large Hole Wooden Beads for Crafts - Hole 10 mm, 4 Colors...

Pick 2 · WILLBOND

WILLBOND macrame wooden beads, 10 mm hole, 130 pcs

See price on Amazon

A 130-piece set in two shapes, 100 round beads and 30 tube beads, all with a 10 mm hole and a varnished wood-color surface. It suits plant hangers and wall hangings that mix two bead shapes.

What the listing offers

Two shapes come in one pack: 100 round beads of 20 x 15 mm and 30 tube beads of 30 x 20 mm.
Both shapes have a 10 mm inner hole, wide enough for 5mm cord or for two strands of thinner cord.
The listing says the surface of each bead is sealed with varnish, which gives a glossy finish.

Limits to know

The varnish seal means these beads are not suited to staining or dyeing to another color.
Only 30 of the 130 beads are the longer tube shape, and the type of wood is not stated.

See it on AmazonListing title: WILLBOND 130 Pcs Macrame Wooden Beads 10mm Hole,Wood Color, Classic

Pick 3 · woodeni

woodeni unfinished 20 mm wood beads, 10 mm hole, 100 pcs

See price on Amazon

One hundred unfinished natural wooden beads of about 20 mm with a hole of about 10 mm. A plain pack for macrame projects where the beads are left natural or painted to match the cord.

What the listing offers

The listing states beads of approximately 20 mm with a hole of about 10 mm in diameter.
The beads are unfinished and, per the listing, ready to paint, decorate, stain or leave plain.
The pack holds 100 beads, and the title names macrame projects as the intended use.

Limits to know

One size only: every bead is about 20 mm with the same 10 mm hole.
The listing is short: the type of wood and the bead shape are not described beyond 'smooth'.

See it on AmazonListing title: 100pcs 20mm Wood Beads -Hole 10mm for Macrame Projects, Large Hole Unf...

Pick 4 · IIXOXII

IIXOXII barrel wood beads, 7 to 8 mm hole, 200 pcs

See price on Amazon

Two hundred barrel-shaped wooden beads about 16 mm long and 16 to 17 mm wide with a 7 to 8 mm hole, 50 each in black, light brown, ivory and coconut brown. The hole range is a comfortable fit for one strand of 5mm cord.

What the listing offers

The hole is stated as about 7 to 8 mm, the comfortable range for a single strand of 5mm macrame cord.
The pack is split evenly: 50 beads in each of four dyed colors, 200 in total.
The listing states solid wood and names hemp macrame rope among the cords the beads are drilled for.

Limits to know

The hole is given as a range, so some beads may sit at the 7 mm end, and two strands of 4mm cord may not fit.
The listing presents these mainly as hair braid and jewelry beads; macrame is mentioned only in passing.

See it on AmazonListing title: 200Pcs Large Hole Barrel Wood Loose Beads Hair Braid Beads for Jewelry

Pick 5 · Pndeyo

Pndeyo large hole wooden beads, 9.5 mm hole, 60 pcs

See price on Amazon

Sixty wooden beads of 19.2 x 15.5 mm with a 9.5 mm (0.37 in) hole, ten each in dark coffee, beige, black, wood color, blue and coffee. A small mixed-color pack for accents on a few pieces.

What the listing offers

Bead and hole sizes are given in both units: 15.5 x 19.2 mm (0.61 x 0.75 in) with a 9.5 mm (0.37 in) hole.
Six colors are included, ten beads of each, with blue and black alongside the wood tones.
The listing describes a large hole design that fiber ropes and leather cords pass through.

Limits to know

A small pack: 60 beads in total and only ten of each color.
The listing describes a hair braid bead and does not name macrame; the type of wood is not stated.

See it on AmazonListing title: Pndeyo 60pcs Large Hole Wooden Beads for Crafts, 19.2x15.5mm, 6 Colors

Pick 6 · DUMEALAGR

DUMEALAGR barrel wooden beads, 5 mm hole, 400 pcs

See price on Amazon

Four hundred small barrel wooden beads about 12 mm long and 11 mm wide with a 5 mm hole, in white, brown and dark brown tones. The hole suits 3mm macrame cord; the bead size suits keychains and fringe accents.

What the listing offers

The listing states a 5 mm hole, the comfortable size for a single strand of 3mm macrame cord.
At 400 pieces this is the largest pack in the guide, with beads about 12 mm long and 11 mm wide.
The listing states natural wood with a painted, glossy surface in white, brown and dark brown.

Limits to know

A 5 mm hole is only the minimum for 4mm cord and too small for 5mm cord; two strands of 3mm cord need a wider hole.
The colors are listed loosely as 'white, brown, dark brown etc', with no count per color.

See it on AmazonListing title: 400Pcs Large Hole Wooden Craft Beads 12x11mm Natural Barrel Wood Loose...

Read before you buy

The Macrame Knots You Need for a Plant HangerThe 5 macrame knots in a plant hanger, in order from ring to tassel: larks head, gathering knot, square knot, half knot spiral, overhand knot.

Cord and Knot chooses every product independently from what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission from the links above. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.