Gear guide
Best Macrame Cord for Keychains
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Keychains are small, quick pieces that are usually made in batches, so the cord question is less about total yardage and more about thickness and how many colors come in the pack. 3 mm macrame cord is the usual size for keychains, and 2 mm cord gives smaller knots and a slimmer piece. Construction decides the tassel: single strand cord combs out soft and straight, twisted cord unravels wavy and needs steaming and combing, and braided cord does not comb out at all. Most multi-color packs are cotton, 4 strand twisted, on rolls of 30 to 50 meters per color. This guide compares seven cotton cords by thickness, construction, number of colors and length per roll, taken from each Amazon listing. Nothing was tested by us, and these packs do not include clasps or key rings. To plan a batch, a square knot strip takes working cords of about 4 to 6 times the finished length.
Compare the picks
| Pick | Thickness | Construction | Colors | Per roll | Price | Per yd | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AIFUN cotton cord 3 mm, 18 colors, 594 yd | 3 mm | 4-strand twisted | 18 | 33 yd (30 m) | - | - | Amazon |
 HULISEN cotton cord 3 mm, 12 colors, 396 yd | 3 mm | 4-strand twisted | 12 | 33 yd (30 m) | - | - | Amazon |
 PHUNTTEK cotton cord 3 mm, 36 colors, 1188 yd | 3 mm | 4-strand twisted | 36 | 33 yd | - | - | Amazon |
 Nuanchu cotton cord 3 mm, 6 colors, 328 yd | about 3 mm | not stated | 6 | 54.7 yd (50 m) | - | - | Amazon |
 ZEAYEA cotton cord 3 mm, 15 colors, 480 yd | 3 mm | 4-strand twisted | 15 | 32 yd (30 m) | - | - | Amazon |
 Timgle cotton cord 3 mm, 20 rolls, 875 yd | 3 mm | Twisted | 10 (2 rolls each) | 44 yd | - | - | Amazon |
 NOANTA cotton macrame cord 2 mm, 220 yd roll | 2 mm | Twisted | 1 | 220 yd | - | - | 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 jobAIFUN cotton cord 3 mm, 18 colors, 594 yd18 rolls in 18 colors at approximately 30 m (33 yards) each, 594 yards in total.
- Most for the money on paperHULISEN cotton cord 3 mm, 12 colors, 396 yd12 rolls, each 98 feet or 30 m long, 1188 feet in total, which is 396 yards.
- Most complete listingPHUNTTEK cotton cord 3 mm, 36 colors, 1188 yd36 rolls in 36 colors, 33 yards per roll and 1188 yards in total, the largest pack in this guide.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · AIFUN
AIFUN cotton cord 3 mm, 18 colors, 594 yd
See price on AmazonEighteen rolls of 3 mm cotton cord, about 30 m (33 yards) each, tightly twisted from 4 strands. More colors than the 12 and 15 roll packs at the same length per roll.
What the listing offers
- 18 rolls in 18 colors at approximately 30 m (33 yards) each, 594 yards in total.
- Stated as natural cotton, 3 mm thick and tightly twisted with 4 strands.
- Each cord is wound on a spool, which the listing says prevents tangling and color transfer during use.
Limits to know
- The listing names only part of the 18 colors, so the exact palette is not known from the text.
- Rolls may appear different in size according to the listing, although length and thickness are said to be the same.
Pick 2 · HULISEN
HULISEN cotton cord 3 mm, 12 colors, 396 yd
See price on AmazonTwelve rolls of 3 mm cotton twine twisted from 4 strands, 98 feet (33 yards) per color. All twelve colors are named in the listing, which helps when planning color pairs.
What the listing offers
- 12 rolls, each 98 feet or 30 m long, 1188 feet in total, which is 396 yards.
- All 12 colors are named: red, black, sky blue, dark blue, purple, pink, orange, yellow, green, fruit green, nature and white.
- The listing states natural cotton fiber, 3 mm thick, twisted from 4 strands and packed tightly on a coil.
Limits to know
- Fewer colors than the 15, 18 and 36 roll packs at a similar length per roll.
- The listing says the cord never fades and can be used outdoors, yet cotton absorbs moisture, so treat that claim with caution.
Pick 3 · PHUNTTEK
PHUNTTEK cotton cord 3 mm, 36 colors, 1188 yd
See price on AmazonThirty-six rolls of 3 mm cotton cord, 33 yards each and 1188 yards in total. The widest color range in this guide, for makers who sell keychains in many colorways.
What the listing offers
- 36 rolls in 36 colors, 33 yards per roll and 1188 yards in total, the largest pack in this guide.
- The listing describes pure cotton cord in a 4 strand twisted construction, 3 mm in diameter.
- Described as washable, and the listing says the tighter threads keep cut ends from raveling quickly.
Limits to know
- A large purchase for a beginner: 36 rolls is far more cord than a first batch of keychains needs.
- The listed color names repeat (purple and red each appear twice), so some shades may be close to each other.
Pick 4 · Nuanchu
Nuanchu cotton cord 3 mm, 6 colors, 328 yd
See price on AmazonSix rolls of about 3 mm cotton cord with 50 m (54.7 yards) on each. Fewer colors but the longest rolls among the multi-color packs, for larger batches in a small palette.
What the listing offers
- 6 rolls at 50 m (54.7 yards) each, 328 yards in total, with a thickness of about 3 mm.
- The six colors are named: light pink, red, light blue, khaki, fresh green and dark green.
- Described as cotton fiber cord that is soft and wear resistant, with other six-color palettes sold as separate listings.
Limits to know
- Construction is not stated: the listing does not say whether the cord is single strand, twisted or braided.
- Only six colors, so it gives less variety per pack than the 12 to 36 roll sets.
Pick 5 · ZEAYEA
ZEAYEA cotton cord 3 mm, 15 colors, 480 yd
See price on AmazonFifteen rolls of 3mm 4 strand twisted cotton cord in 15 colors, about 32 yards each and 480 yards in total. A color pack for keychains, small wall hangings and trying color combinations.
What the listing offers
- 15 rolls in 15 colors, including red, orange, pink, green, blue, black, white and brown.
- Each roll is about 30 m (32 yards), which makes 480 yards across the pack.
- Listing states 3mm thickness and 4 strand twisted cord, wound on rollers so it does not knot in use.
Limits to know
- Only about 32 yards per color, which limits each color to small pieces or accents.
- The listing notes that the rolls may look different in size from one another.
Pick 6 · Timgle
Timgle cotton cord 3 mm, 20 rolls, 875 yd
See price on AmazonTwenty rolls of 3 mm twisted cotton cord in 10 spring colors, two rolls of each at 44 yards per roll. The most cord per color among the multi-color packs here.
What the listing offers
- 20 rolls of 3 mm cord, each measuring 44 yards, with a stated total of 875 yards.
- 10 different colors with 2 rolls of each, so a color does not run out after one roll.
- The listing states natural cotton fiber and describes the cord as twisted macrame yarn.
Limits to know
- The spring colors are not named in the listing text, so the palette has to be judged from the photos.
- The number of strands in the twist is not stated, and a pack this size is a large purchase for occasional use.
Pick 7 · NOANTA
NOANTA cotton macrame cord 2 mm, 220 yd roll
See price on AmazonA single 220 yard roll of 2 mm cotton cord, gently twisted. The thin option for small, fine keychains and for makers who work in one base color.
What the listing offers
- One roll of 2 mm cord, 220 yards long according to the title.
- The listing describes cotton fiber that is gently twisted and soft to the touch.
- Jewelry and crafts are among the listed uses, which fits the thinner 2 mm size.
Limits to know
- One color per roll, so a multi-color batch needs several rolls or a color pack.
- The bullets give no ply count, and the length and thickness appear only in the title.
Read before you buy
More gear for the choose the cord stage
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.