A manually operable needle threading device comprises a housing having a recess for positioning the eye of a needle to be threaded in alignment with the path of a displaceable thread pusher member in the housing, whereby displacement of the pusher member from a retracted to an extended position pushes a portion of a thread between the needle and pusher member through the needle eye. The pusher member displaces the portion of thread between gripping fingers on the housing which hold the thread portion upon displacement of the pusher member from the extended to the retracted position. The portion of thread remains attached to the threading device upon separation of the needle therefrom until a loose end of the thread passes through the needle eye to complete the threading operation, after which the thread portion is released from the threading device. In one embodiment the housing is of pistol-like configuration facilitating handling and operation of the threading device.