Free tools · calculator
Gauge calculator
Gauge is the number of stitches and rows in 4 inches (10 cm) of fabric. Count the stitches across part of your swatch, enter the width you counted over, and add the pattern's gauge: the calculator shows your gauge, how much wider or narrower your piece will be, and whether to go up or down a hook or needle size. It works for knitting and crochet.
Your gauge18 sts × 20 rows per 4 in
- Your stitches per 4 in
- 18
- Your rows per 4 in
- 20
- Width compared with the pattern
- 11% narrower
- Length compared with the pattern
- the same
You have more stitches than the pattern, so your piece will come out smaller. Go up one hook or needle size and swatch again.
Worked example
You count 18 stitches and 20 rows across a 4 in square; the pattern says 16 stitches and 20 rows. Your stitches are smaller, so a piece meant to be 20 in wide comes out about 17.8 in. Go up one hook or needle size and swatch again.
Changing the size of an amigurumi instead? Use the amigurumi size calculator. Need more yarn for a new gauge? The yarn substitution calculator works out the skeins.
Questions
How do I work out my gauge?
Make a swatch at least 6 inches (15 cm) square in the pattern's stitch, block it the way you'll block the project, then count the stitches and rows across 4 inches (10 cm) in the middle. Enter what you counted and the size you measured; the calculator turns it into stitches and rows per 4 in or 10 cm.
What if I have more stitches than the pattern?
More stitches per 4 inches means your stitches are smaller, so the piece comes out smaller. Go up a hook or needle size and swatch again. Fewer stitches means bigger stitches and a bigger piece: go down a size.
How much does gauge matter?
A lot for garments. With 18 stitches per 4 in where the pattern wants 16, every width comes out 11% narrower: a 40 in sweater becomes about 36 in. For blankets, scarves and amigurumi a little difference only changes the size and the yarn needed.
Should I match stitches or rows?
Match stitches first: width is hard to fix later. Many patterns tell you to work to a length in inches, so row gauge can often be fixed by working more or fewer rows.
Can I measure a swatch smaller than 4 inches?
Yes. Enter the stitches you counted and the width you counted them over, for example 9 stitches over 2 inches. A bigger swatch gives a more accurate number.
More free tools
Add this calculator to your website, free.
Every number here is an estimate worked out in your browser; nothing you type is sent anywhere. Yarn use changes with your stitch pattern, tension and fibre, so swatch first and buy from one dye lot. Check your whole pattern before you start.