Types of Sewing Machine Needles

Needle with normal or fine point (Sharp points, regular or microtex)
As it is: It has a slightly tapered tip.
Good for: Flat fabrics because the fine point “hurts” minus the fabric
Sizes: 9 to 18

Universal point needle
As it is: It has a slightly rounded tip.
Good for: Flat fabrics and knits, for being in the middle between tapered and rounded.
Sizes: 11 to 14

Rounded tip needle (Ball point or stretch)
As it is: It has a rounded tip. The bigger the needle, the more rounded.
Good for: Knits and stretch fabrics because it “slips” between the threads of the mesh, instead of sticking. They are even more necessary in meshes that spoil when a thread breaks (running thread).
Sizes: 9 to 16

Embroidery needle (Embroidery needles)
As it is: It has the biggest hole, to pass embroidery threads that are thicker.
Fits: Decorative embroidery. The larger hole breaks the line less.
Sizes: 11 to 14

Quilting needle (Betweens)
As it is: Smaller than a normal needle, with the small hole, but stronger.
Good for: The reinforced tip is used to pass through several layers of fabric (sandwich quilt) and to go over other seams.
Sizes: 9 to 12

Topstitching needle
As it is: The hole of this needle is a little bigger,
Good for: Topstitched finishes, with one or two thread threads.
Sizes: 9 to 14

Needle for jeans (Denim)
As it is: The concavity is deeper and the tip is tapered.
Good for: Heavy fabrics like jeans, canvas, vinyl and synthetic leather. Designed to sew without pressing the fabric in the hole in the needle plate.
Sizes: 9 to 16

Faceted point needle (Wedge point or Leather)
As it is: The tip of the needle is thin, with faceted edges.
Good for: Leather and vinyl. The faceted tip is made to pierce the fabric creating a hole that closes on it even when the needle goes up again.
Sizes: 11 to 18.