Embroidery Machine Guide

Brother · Sewing and embroidery · Specs checked October 2026

Brother SE400: hoop size, file formats and specs

Also written: SE-400, SE 400

A 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) sewing and embroidery combo with 70 built-in designs, 5 fonts and 67 stitches. It reads PES and DST over a USB cable but has a small monochrome screen and tops out at 400 stitches per minute. An older model, now hard to find new.

The Brother SE400 is a discontinued sewing and embroidery machine with a 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) embroidery field. It reads .PES, .DST files and gets designs by USB stick or Memory card, and has 70 built-in designs and 5 lettering fonts.

SE400 hoop size and embroidery area

The SE400 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 × 7SE400 field
The SE400 field (filled) next to standard hoop sizes, drawn to scale.

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

Optional from Brother: Large frame (about 4" × 6.7"; each design still 4" × 4") (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)), Small frame (about 1" × 2.5") (2.4 × 0.8 in (60 × 20 mm)).

Check if your design fits the SE400

What file format does the SE400 use?

The SE400 reads .PES and .DST files. You load designs by USB stick or Memory card. Designs in other formats (for example .JEF or .EXP) need converting first with embroidery software.

Where to buy the Brother SE400

Discontinued: you will mostly find it used or refurbished.

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Brother SE400 specs

TypeSewing and embroidery
Embroidery field4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)
Hoops included4" × 4" hoop (medium) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm))
Optional hoopsLarge frame (about 4" × 6.7"; each design still 4" × 4") (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)); Small frame (about 1" × 2.5") (2.4 × 0.8 in (60 × 20 mm))
Cap frameNo
File formats it reads.PES, .DST
Design transferUSB stick or Memory card
Built-in designs70
Lettering fonts5
Sewing stitches67
Screentouch screen
Max embroidery speed400 stitches per minute
Weight13.7 lb (6.2 kg)
StatusDiscontinued
Skill levelBeginner

Who the SE400 is for

A fit for someone who wants a simple 4 × 4 in embroidery and sewing combo and is happy to buy used or refurbished. Skip it if you want a color preview screen, wireless transfer, a USB stick slot or designs bigger than 4 × 4 in.

Strengths

  • 70 built-in designs, 5 lettering fonts and 120 frame-pattern combinations (10 shapes × 12 stitch types)
  • Also sews: 67 built-in stitches, including 10 one-step buttonholes
  • Reads PES and DST files from a computer over the included USB cable
  • Compact, at about 13.7 lb (6.2 kg)

Limits

  • Only a 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) embroidery area
  • Small monochrome LCD (2.7 × 1.4 in) with no realistic color preview
  • Embroidery speed tops out at 400 stitches per minute
  • No wireless and no USB stick slot: designs come from a computer over a cable or from Brother embroidery cards

Good to know: Brother's US page still lists the SE400 but shows it out of stock with no way to order. Brother has not marked it discontinued, while several dealers call it discontinued; we list it as discontinued because it cannot be ordered new. The Brother US page shows 850 for embroidery speed, but Brother's own spec sheet says 400, so we use the spec sheet. Brother gives the screen as 2.7 × 1.4 in (width × height), not a diagonal. The manual also mentions an optional small frame (1 × 2-1/2 in, 20 × 60 mm) and an optional large frame (about 4 × 6.7 in, 100 × 170 mm) that holds several designs without re-hooping; each design still has to fit within 4 × 4 in. Brother's US accessory list does not show either frame, so check availability with a dealer.

Listed in our buying guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the Brother SE400 embroidery size?

The SE400 embroiders designs up to 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm). It comes with one 4 × 4 in hoop.

Can the Brother SE400 use a bigger hoop?

Not for a single bigger design. Brother's manual describes an optional large frame (about 4 × 6.7 in, 100 × 170 mm) for placing several designs without re-hooping, but each design still has to fit within 4 × 4 in. Brother's US accessory list does not show it, so ask a Brother dealer first.

What embroidery file types does the Brother SE400 read?

Brother's USB guide says it reads PES and DST files only. You copy them from a computer over the USB cable, or use Brother embroidery cards.

Can the Brother SE400 embroider hats?

Brother does not list a cap frame for the SE400, and the included hoop is for flat fabric. Some third-party sellers advertise 4 × 4 in cap frames for it, but we have not verified them.

Is the Brother SE400 still sold new?

Brother's US store lists it as out of stock with no way to order, and Amazon and Sewing Machines Plus also showed no new units when we checked. Expect to find used or refurbished machines.

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.