24 vs 36 vs 48 Colours for Custom Paint by Numbers: Which Should You Choose?
Our custom paint by numbers kits are available with 24, 36 and 48 colours.
The difference is not simply the number of paint pots included. The colour count affects how many shades are available when your photo is converted into a paint by numbers design, which can influence both the amount of detail and the complexity of the painting.
So how many colours do you actually need?
The best choice depends mainly on how complex your photo is and how much detail you want to preserve.
24 vs 36 vs 48 Colours: Quick Comparison
| Colour Option | Best Suited To | Detail Level | Painting Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 Colours | Simple photos, clear subjects and straightforward designs | Standard | Fewer colour changes and generally simpler areas |
| 36 Colours | Most portraits, pets and moderately detailed photos | More detailed | A good balance between detail and complexity |
| 48 Colours | Detailed portraits, pets and photos with complex colour variations | Highest colour detail | More colour changes and potentially more small areas |
This table is a useful starting point, but the subject of the photo alone does not determine the best option. A simple portrait and a complex portrait, for example, may need very different levels of colour detail.
The same photo can also look noticeably different as more colour shades become available. The example below shows the same dog image converted using 24, 36 and 48 colours.
What Does the Colour Count Actually Change?
A photograph may contain many shades that look similar at first glance.
Skin can include warm highlights, cooler shadows and subtle changes around the eyes and face. Pet fur may contain several slightly different browns, greys or blacks. Landscapes can include gradual changes across skies, trees and distant scenery.
When more colours are available, some of these shades can be kept separate instead of being combined into one colour.
This can help preserve:
- subtle shadows and highlights;
- variations in skin tones;
- changes in hair or fur;
- colour transitions in clothing and backgrounds;
- and other small differences within the original photo.
The close-up below shows this more clearly. As the colour count increases, additional shades can be used to separate smaller tonal changes within the same detailed area.
More available shades can also create more colour changes within the numbered design. Depending on the image, this may result in smaller or more closely packed painting areas.
That is the main trade-off: more colour detail can also mean more painting complexity.
24 Colours
24 colours work best when the original image is relatively simple.
Good examples include a close-up subject against a plain background, a photo with strong colour separation, or a simple illustration without many subtle shadows.
Because fewer shades need to be separated, the finished design will usually contain fewer colour changes than the same image produced with a larger palette.
This does not make 24 colours a low-quality option.
When the subject is large, clear and well lit, there may simply be little benefit in adding many additional shades.
24 colours are therefore a practical choice for simpler images and for painters who prefer a more straightforward project.
36 Colours
36 colours give the design more shades to work with while keeping the painting reasonably manageable.
They are well suited to many everyday custom photos, including portraits, couples, pets and images with moderate background detail.
The additional colours can help separate areas such as facial shadows, hair, clothing and fur without necessarily creating the level of complexity that may come with a 48-colour design.
For this reason, 36 colours are often a good middle option when the photo contains noticeable detail but is not extremely complex.
48 Colours
48 colours are most useful when the photo contains many subtle colour changes that are worth preserving.
This is particularly relevant for details such as:
- facial shading;
- hair with highlights and shadows;
- textured pet fur;
- dark pets where small tonal differences help define the shape;
- detailed clothing;
- several subjects in one image;
- or complex backgrounds.
With a larger palette, the design has more shades available to distinguish these areas.
The trade-off is that the resulting painting may contain more colour changes and smaller numbered sections, so it can require more patience to complete.
48 colours therefore make the most sense when the image itself contains enough detail to benefit from the additional shades.
Which Colour Count Fits Your Photo?
Instead of choosing only by subject — portrait, pet or landscape — look at how much visual information the photo contains.
The following recommendations are useful starting points:
| Type of Photo | Suggested Starting Point |
|---|---|
| Simple single-person portrait | 24 or 36 colours |
| Portrait with detailed hair, shadows or clothing | 36 or 48 colours |
| Couple photo | 36 or 48 colours |
| Family or group photo | 48 colours, with a suitable canvas size |
| Simple pet portrait with a clean background | 36 colours |
| Pet with detailed or dark fur | 36 or 48 colours |
| Simple landscape | 24 or 36 colours |
| Detailed scenery or complex background | 36 or 48 colours |
| Simple graphic or illustration | 24 colours |
Two photos of the same subject can require very different treatment.
For example, a close-up photo of a dog against a plain wall is relatively simple. A photo of the same dog standing in grass, surrounded by trees and shadows, contains much more detail.
The second image is more likely to benefit from additional colours.
Canvas Size Can Limit Your Colour Choice
Canvas size also affects how practical a higher colour count will be.
A smaller canvas has less physical space for numbered areas. If you use a high colour count on a small canvas, the extra shades may need to be represented through more small and closely packed sections.
This can affect the painting in two ways: the additional colour detail may have less room to show clearly, while the smaller numbered areas can make the canvas more difficult and time-consuming to paint.
The comparison below shows why physical canvas size matters. Even with the same level of detail, a smaller canvas gives each numbered area less space.
For a 30 × 40 cm canvas, 24 or 36 colours are usually the more practical choices. 48 colours can work, but detailed images may contain many very small areas that are harder to see and paint accurately.
At 40 × 50 cm, 48 colours become more practical because there is more room for additional detail.
On larger canvases such as 50 × 65 cm and above, 36 and 48 colours are better able to show their extra detail without making the numbered areas excessively small.
The key point is simple: the smaller the canvas, the more carefully you should consider a high colour count, especially if you want an easier painting experience.
For help choosing the canvas size itself, read our custom paint by numbers size guide.
Photo Quality Still Comes First
Increasing the colour count cannot create details that are missing from the original photograph.
If a face is blurred, very small or hidden in heavy shadow, selecting 48 colours will not restore information that the camera did not capture clearly.
A sharp, well-lit photo gives the design much more useful information to work with.
Before worrying about the number of colours, check that:
- the main subject is clearly visible;
- faces are large enough to see;
- important details are not heavily blurred;
- lighting is reasonably even;
- and the background does not overwhelm the subject.
In practice, a clear photo with 36 colours can produce a better design than a poor photo with 48 colours.
Our guide on how to choose the best photo for custom paint by numbers explains what to look for before uploading your image.
Do More Colours Take Longer to Paint?
Usually, yes.
A design with more colours may involve more paint changes and, depending on the photo, more small numbered areas.
However, this does not mean that 48 colours require advanced painting skills.
The basic process is exactly the same: match the paint number to the corresponding numbered area on the canvas.
The main difference is the amount of patience involved.
If you enjoy working through small details, a more detailed colour option may suit you well. If you prefer a simpler and more relaxed project, fewer colours may be more enjoyable.
For that reason, we think it is more useful to compare the options by detail and complexity rather than labelling them as beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 48 colours always better than 36 colours?
No. The additional shades are most useful when the original photo contains enough colour variation and fine detail to take advantage of them.
For a simpler image, 36 colours may already provide all the detail the design needs.
Are 24 colours enough for a portrait?
They can be.
A clear close-up portrait with good lighting and a simple background may work very well with 24 colours. More complicated portraits with detailed hair, shadows or clothing may benefit from additional shades.
Is 48 colours difficult for beginners?
Not necessarily.
The painting method does not change. A 48-colour design can simply involve more colour changes and smaller sections, which may make it more time-consuming rather than technically more difficult.
Should I choose a larger canvas with 48 colours?
For detailed images, usually yes.
A larger canvas provides more physical space for small features and numbered areas. This is especially important for portraits, pets, group photos and complex scenes.
Ready to Create Your Own?
When choosing your colour count, start with the photo rather than automatically selecting the highest number.
Look at how much detail the image contains, make sure the important subjects are clear, and choose a canvas large enough to give those details room.
You can explore our personalised paint by numbers collection or create your own custom paint by numbers from a photo.
