130/705 H is the needle system used by virtually every domestic sewing machine — a flat sided shank of a specific length and diameter. If a packet carries that code, it fits your household machine whatever the brand.
Reading the rest of the code.
The flat shank is what makes it domestic. Industrial machines use round shank systems such as DBx1, and they are not interchangeable.
H on its own means a universal point.
Letters after the H name the variant. H-S is stretch, H-J is jeans, H-M is microtex, H-E is embroidery, H-Q is quilting, H-LL is leather, H-ZWI is a twin needle. SUK denotes a ballpoint.
The numbers on the front of the packet, such as 80/12, are the size — the metric measurement of the blade in hundredths of a millimetre, followed by the imperial equivalent. 80/12 and 12/80 are the same needle.
Why this is worth knowing. You are not obliged to buy needles branded by your machine manufacturer. Any 130/705 H needle from any maker fits, and the choice is between brands rather than between machines.
One exception worth checking. A small number of machines, including some older and some specialist models, use a different system. The manual states it. Everything else is 130/705 H.
Overlockers vary. Many use 130/705 H, but some need ELx705 or an industrial system. Check before buying.
Questions people actually ask
Are branded needles better?
The established needle makers are consistent and the difference between them is small. Very cheap unbranded needles are a false economy, because a burr in the eye shreds thread.
Does the colour band mean anything?
On some brands, yes — a colour code for the type and sometimes the size. It varies by manufacturer, so read the packet.
Last reviewed 2026-08-11