Needle Code
Needle code decoder
Read the code on a needle or cartridge box in plain words.
How to read it
- 12Diameter
- 07Points
- RLConfiguration
- LTTaper
- Configuration
- Round Liner
Points soldered in a tight circle: lines and outlines.
- Diameter
- #120.35 mm
- Points
- 7
- Taper
- Long taper
Long, thin tip: precise detail, often used for fine lines.
Brands use slightly different notations and the same code can differ between manufacturers. Read the guide
How to read a tattoo needle code
A needle or cartridge code packs four facts into a few characters: the diameter of each point, how many points there are, how they are arranged and, often, the taper. Take 1207RL-LT: 12 is the gauge, 07 the number of points, RL the configuration and LT the taper.
Diameter (gauge)
The first two digits give the diameter of each point. The correspondence below is the one the decoder uses: it is an industry convention, not a formal standard, so always check the value in millimetres on the product sheet. See the gauge entry.
| Gauge | Diameter |
|---|---|
| #06 | 0.20 mm |
| #08 | 0.25 mm |
| #10 | 0.30 mm |
| #12 | 0.35 mm |
Needle count
The next digits say how many points sit in the group: in 1207RL there are 7. More points cover a wider area, fewer points give a narrower group. The count and the gauge together shape the result.
Configuration
The letters describe how the points are arranged. The decoder reads four configurations:
- RL · Round Liner — Points soldered in a tight circle: lines and outlines.
- RS · Round Shader — Same circular layout, points a little looser: shading and small fills.
- M1 · Magnum (two staggered rows) — Points in two staggered rows: soft shading and larger fills.
- RM · Curved Magnum — Magnum with slightly curved rows: smooth shading with softer edges.
Other codes exist, such as Flat needles (often F) and variants used by single manufacturers: if a code is not listed here, read the manufacturer's description. For a comparison of the two circular configurations, see the article Round Liner vs Round Shader.
Taper
A trailing abbreviation (ST, MT, LT, XLT) indicates the taper, the length of the conical section at the tip: short, medium, long, extra long. These names are relative: there is no universal measurement in millimetres, and a long taper from one manufacturer can behave like a medium taper from another. To compare brands, read the values each one declares.
Common codes, decoded
A few codes you will meet often, read by the same decoder as above. They show the structure; they are not buying advice.
0803RL:
0.25 mm · 3 · Round Liner
1003RL:
0.30 mm · 3 · Round Liner
1207RL:
0.35 mm · 7 · Round Liner
| Code on the box | Diameter | Points | Configuration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0803RL | 0.25 mm | 3 | Round Liner |
| 1003RL | 0.30 mm | 3 | Round Liner |
| 1005RL | 0.30 mm | 5 | Round Liner |
| 1007RL | 0.30 mm | 7 | Round Liner |
| 1009RL | 0.30 mm | 9 | Round Liner |
| 1011RL | 0.30 mm | 11 | Round Liner |
| 1015M1 | 0.30 mm | 15 | Magnum (two staggered rows) |
| 1207RL | 0.35 mm | 7 | Round Liner |