Embroidery Machine Guide

Singer · Sewing and embroidery · Specs checked October 2026

Singer Futura XL-550: hoop size, file formats and specs

Also written: Futura XL-550, XL-550, XL550, Futura XL550, Singer XL-550, Singer XL550

A discontinued Singer sewing and embroidery combo with a 10.2 × 6.3 in (260 × 160 mm) hoop, 215 sewing stitches and 125 built-in designs. Designs are sent from a Windows PC over a USB cable. Singer's US site no longer lists it, so expect to find it used.

The Singer Futura XL-550 is a discontinued sewing and embroidery machine with a 10 × 6 in (260 × 160 mm) embroidery field. It reads .FHE, .CHE, .XXX, .PSW, .PEC, .PES, .HUS, .SEW, .EXP, .DST, .PCS files and gets designs by USB cable to a computer, and has 125 built-in designs and 20 lettering fonts.

Futura XL-550 hoop size and embroidery area

The Futura XL-550 can stitch a design up to 10 × 6 in (260 × 160 mm) in one hooping, which is the 6 × 10 in size. That is the field limit: a larger hoop from another maker will not let it stitch a bigger area.

8 × 12Futura XL-550 field5 × 74 × 4
The Futura XL-550 field (filled) next to standard hoop sizes, drawn to scale.

In the box: Extra large snap-on hoop (about 10.2 × 6.3 in) (10 × 6 in (260 × 160 mm)), Small snap-on hoop (4 × 4 in) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm)).

Fits in one hooping at typical size: left chest, pocket, sleeve, beanie, towel, baby onesie, baby bib, tote bag, pillow cover, quilt block, patch.

Check if your design fits the Futura XL-550

What file format does the Futura XL-550 use?

The Futura XL-550 reads .FHE, .CHE, .XXX, .PSW, .PEC, .PES, .HUS, .SEW, .EXP, .DST and .PCS files. You load designs by USB cable to a computer. Designs in other formats (for example .JEF or .VP3) need converting first with embroidery software.

Where to buy the Singer Futura XL-550

Discontinued: you will mostly find it used or refurbished.

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Singer Futura XL-550 specs

TypeSewing and embroidery
Embroidery field10 × 6 in (260 × 160 mm)
Hoops includedExtra large snap-on hoop (about 10.2 × 6.3 in) (10 × 6 in (260 × 160 mm)); Small snap-on hoop (4 × 4 in) (4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm))
Cap frameNo
File formats it reads.FHE, .CHE, .XXX, .PSW, .PEC, .PES, .HUS, .SEW, .EXP, .DST, .PCS
Design transferUSB cable to a computer
Built-in designs125
Lettering fonts20
Sewing stitches215
StatusDiscontinued
Skill levelIntermediate

Who the Futura XL-550 is for

Fits a sewer who finds one used and wants a big hoop plus a full sewing machine with lots of stitches, and is fine running older Windows software on a PC. Skip it if you want a Mac-friendly setup, a USB flash drive port, hats, or a machine Singer still sells.

Strengths

  • Extra large 10.2 × 6.3 in (260 × 160 mm) hoop plus a 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm) hoop, both listed with the machine
  • Multi-hooping in the PC software handles designs up to 480 × 280 mm (about 18½ × 11 in) by stitching them in sections
  • 215 built-in sewing stitches, including 6 one-step buttonholes and an endless buttonhole, with a stitch width up to 7 mm
  • 125 built-in designs, 20 embroidery fonts and 30 lettering frames in the PC software
  • Gives 8¼ in (210 mm) of space to the right of the needle, with an automatic needle threader and thread cutter

Limits

  • Designs go in from a Windows PC over a USB cable, and Singer says it is not Mac or tablet compatible
  • Discontinued: a US dealer marks it discontinued and out of stock, so you will mostly find it used
  • Single needle, so you change the thread by hand for every color
  • Singer lists no cap frame for it, so it is not set up for finished hats

Good to know: Singer UK's product page and a US dealer page agree on the hoops: two snap-on hoops of 260 × 160 mm and 100 × 100 mm, and multi-hoop designs up to 480 × 280 mm. Neither says whether 260 × 160 mm is the stitch area or the outer frame, so we use it as the field, as on the XL-400 page. The multi-hoop size is a stitched-in-sections size, not one hooping. Some other pages describe the hoops as 10 × 6 in and say an extra 6.75 × 4 in endless hoop comes in the box; we found that on no Singer page, so no endless hoop is listed here. Singer UK lists 125 designs and 20 fonts for this model, while the XL-400 page lists 5 fonts; one dealer-style listing gave 5 fonts for the XL-550 too, so check the sheet that comes with the machine. Neither Singer UK nor the US dealer lists specific file formats for this model. Singer UK's file-format FAQ names the XL550 and says the bundled software converts XXX, PSW, PEC, PES, HUS, SEW, EXP, DST and PCS, and also works with FHE and CHE, so we list those. The dealer says the software runs on Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8, and Singer UK says Windows 8 needs a software update. The machine has no screen listed by Singer, and speed and weight are not given on the pages we used. The dealer sold it in a bonus package with extra designs, thread and stabilizer, so what comes with a used unit can vary. No source we found says which model it replaced or which followed it, and none gives a release year.

How the Futura XL-550 compares

Listed in our buying guides

Frequently asked questions

What is the embroidery size of the Singer Futura XL-550?

Singer lists two snap-on hoops: an extra large 260 × 160 mm (about 10.2 × 6.3 in) and a small 100 × 100 mm (4 × 4 in). Multi-hooping can reach designs up to 480 × 280 mm by stitching them in sections.

What hoops come with the Singer Futura XL-550?

Singer UK and a US dealer list two snap-on hoops: 260 × 160 mm and 100 × 100 mm. We found no cap frame or endless hoop listed on those pages, and Singer lists no hoops for hats.

What file formats does the Singer Futura XL-550 use, and how do I load designs?

The machine connects to a Windows PC by USB cable, and you send designs from Singer's Futura software. Singer UK says the software converts XXX, PSW, PEC, PES, HUS, SEW, EXP, DST and PCS files and works with FHE and CHE.

Is there a magnetic hoop for the Singer Futura XL-550?

We found none listed by Singer. The machine uses snap-on hoops, so any third-party magnetic hoop would need to fit its mounting plate and one of the two sizes. Ask the seller to confirm before you buy.

Is the Singer Futura XL-550 still sold new?

No. A US dealer page marks it discontinued and out of stock, and Singer's US embroidery machine list does not show it. If you buy one used, check that both hoops, the USB cable and the software disc come with it.

Sources

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