Decorators’ brush sizes are given in millimetres or inches, which refers to the width of the bristles. Common sizes are: You may also notice that small brush sizes increase by increments of one (for example 1, 2, 3… etc.) When you reach size 10, larger brush sizes usually increase by increments of two (10, 12, 14.. etc.). Most manufacturers size brushes this way, usually for reasons of economy when producing brushes with expensive hair.

also written 0000), 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30.If you’re buying brushes from a catalogue or online, remember to consider this if you’re not familiar with a particular brand or range. Brushes as small as 30/0 are manufactured by some companies but are not a common size. Sizes 000 to 20 are most common. The system is fairly standardised, though sizes vary from one manufacturer to another. For example, the European system runs smaller than the English system, so a size 10 brush from Winsor & Newton won’t have exactly the dimensions as a size 10 by ​da Vinci. Sometimes a manufacturer might also add a measurement, where a 4/0 brush is approximately equivalent to 1/64 in or 0.4 mm.

Brushes come in a variety of sizes and the numbering and sizing scales differ between manufacturers, making it difficult to compare brushes. This article explains the numbering system that often appears on the handle of paintbrushes, and what the measurements mean. Two size 10 brushes from the same company might also not be the same size – manufacturers usually use different fibres and handles between their own ranges, to help distinguish them or make student ranges more affordable. The ferrule, the part that holds the handle and hairs together and in shape, also varies in size. For example, mop brushes can have a ferrule made of plastic and wire, which means more variation between brands. Handle and Ferrule size tend to vary depending the style of brush, e.g. brushes for oil painting tend to have long handles whereas brushes for watercolour are typically shorter. in,​1⁄4 in, ​3⁄8 in, ​1⁄2in, ​5⁄8 in, ​3⁄4 in, ​7⁄8 in, 1 in, ​11⁄4 in, ​11⁄2 in, 2 in, ​21⁄2 in, 3 in, ​31⁄2 in, 4 in.

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