Embroidery Machine Guide

Brother · Embroidery only · Specs checked October 2026

Brother PE525: hoop size, file formats and specs

Also written: PE-525, PE 525

An older embroidery-only machine with a 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) field, 70 built-in designs and 5 lettering fonts. It has a back-lit LCD touch screen, a USB cable for a computer and a memory card reader. Brother US lists it as discontinued.

The Brother PE525 is a discontinued embroidery-only machine with a 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) embroidery field. It reads .PES, .DST files and gets designs by USB cable to a computer or Memory card, and has 70 built-in designs and 5 lettering fonts.

PE525 hoop size and embroidery area

The PE525 can stitch a design up to 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) in one hooping, which is the 4 × 4 in size. That is the field limit: a larger hoop from another maker will not let it stitch a bigger area.

5 × 7PE525 field
The PE525 field (filled) next to standard hoop sizes, drawn to scale.

In the box: 4" × 4" hoop (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)).

Fits in one hooping at typical size: left chest, pocket, sleeve, beanie, baby onesie, baby bib, patch.

Check if your design fits the PE525

What file format does the PE525 use?

The PE525 reads .PES and .DST files. You load designs by USB cable to a computer or Memory card. Designs in other formats (for example .JEF or .EXP) need converting first with embroidery software.

Where to buy the Brother PE525

Discontinued: you will mostly find it used or refurbished.

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Brother PE525 specs

TypeEmbroidery only
Embroidery field4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)
Hoops included4" × 4" hoop (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm))
Cap frameNo
File formats it reads.PES, .DST
Design transferUSB cable to a computer or Memory card
Built-in designs70
Lettering fonts5
Screentouch screen
Max embroidery speed400 stitches per minute
Weight18.1 lb (8.2 kg)
StatusDiscontinued
Skill levelBeginner

Who the PE525 is for

A fit for a hobbyist who finds one used or refurbished and wants simple 4 × 4 in embroidery such as names and small motifs. Skip it if you want Wi-Fi, a USB-stick port, designs bigger than 4 × 4 in or finished hats.

Strengths

  • 70 built-in designs, 5 lettering fonts and frame patterns for names and monograms
  • Back-lit LCD touch screen with an automatic needle threader and drop-in top bobbin
  • Runs up to 400 stitches per minute
  • 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) hoop, embroidery foot and USB cable come in the box
  • Takes designs from a computer over USB or from embroidery cards

Limits

  • The field is only 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)
  • No Wi-Fi and no app; Brother's page lists a card reader and a computer link, and no USB-stick port is described
  • Single needle, so you change the thread by hand for every color, and Brother lists no cap frame (cap frame: NA)
  • Brother US lists it as discontinued, so you will mostly find used or refurbished units

Good to know: Brother's US product page for the PE525 is marked discontinued and gives the area (4 × 4 in), the included 4 × 4 in hoop, 70 designs, 5 fonts, 400 spm, a card reader, a USB cable and an embroidery foot, and 'NA' for cap frame. It lists no file formats, no optional hoops, no release year and no successor, so those are left empty or taken from Brother's support page, which links only the PE500 operation manual (2011 revision) for the PE525. The .pes and .dst formats and the cable and card transfer come from that manual (same as the PE500), so treat them as likely but not stated on the PE525 page itself. Brother's spec table also shows 'USB: No' while listing computer connectivity and a USB cable, so it is a computer link, not a flash-drive port. Weight is shown as 18.078 with no unit (about 18.1 lb, matching the PE500); one retailer shows 15.6 lb. Screen is listed as 2.7 × 1.4 in on Brother's page, but we leave the size empty to match the PE500 entry, where sources disagree. The screen looks monochrome, but Brother does not say so. The page's text mentions 120 frame patterns while its spec table shows 10 frame shapes. The PE525 looks like a retail-channel twin of the PE500, but Brother does not say so, so no alias or link is set.

How the PE525 compares

Listed in our buying guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the Brother PE525 embroidery machine?

It is an older single-needle, embroidery-only Brother machine with a 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) field, 70 built-in designs and 5 lettering fonts. Brother US lists it as discontinued.

Where can I find the Brother PE525 embroidery machine manual?

Brother's US support page for the PE525 links an operation manual (2011 revision) and a quick reference guide, and both are filed under the PE500 name. Check the cover of the PDF to confirm it matches your machine.

What size is the Brother PE525 hoop?

The hoop in the box is 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm), which is also the largest design size. Brother's page lists no larger hoop for it.

Brother PE525 or PE535?

Both have a 4 × 4 in field. The PE535 has a color touch screen, 80 built-in designs, 9 fonts and a USB-stick port. The PE525 has 70 designs, 5 fonts, a card reader and a computer link. Brother US lists both as discontinued.

Can the Brother PE525 embroider hats?

Brother's page lists the cap frame as not available (NA) for the PE525, so it is not set up for finished caps.

Sources

Specs come from Brother's own pages and manuals, checked October 2026. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices. We are not affiliated with Brother. See how we research.