YarnCalculator
Gauge

Gauge calculator

Count the stitches and rows across your swatch, enter how far you counted, and get your gauge the way patterns write it: per 4 inches and per 10 cm.

Count the stitches (and rows) across your swatch to see your gauge.

How to use it

  1. Knit or crochet a swatch at least 6 inches (15 cm) square, then wash and dry it the way you'll treat the finished piece.
  2. Count the stitches across, and the rows down, over a measured length away from the edges.
  3. Enter the counts and the length. Compare the result with the gauge in your pattern.

Questions

What does gauge mean in knitting?

Gauge (tension in the UK) is how many stitches and rows fit in a set length, usually 4 inches or 10 cm. It decides the size of what you make, so patterns tell you the gauge to match.

How do I measure gauge?

Lay the washed swatch flat without stretching it, put a ruler across the middle, and count the stitches in 4 inches, including half stitches. Do the same for rows going up.

What if my gauge doesn't match the pattern?

More stitches than the pattern means your work is tighter: go up a needle or hook size. Fewer means it's looser: go down a size. Or use the gauge conversion calculator to change the stitch counts instead.

Try our yarn calculators

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