How the gauge calculator works
Gauge tells you how many stitches and rows fit in 4 inches (or 10 cm) of your fabric. Everything else is multiplication.
- Stitches per inch = gauge stitches ÷ 4. For a gauge over 10 cm the calculator divides by 3.94 inches instead.
- Cast on = width you want × stitches per inch, rounded to the nearest whole stitch. If your stitch pattern needs a multiple, such as "a multiple of 4 plus 2" for k2, p2 ribbing that starts and ends with k2, it rounds to the nearest count that fits. Edge stitches are added on top.
- Rows = length you want × rows per inch, rounded to the nearest row.
- Pattern conversion: the pattern's stitch count ÷ the pattern's stitches per inch gives the width the designer intended; × your stitches per inch gives the count that produces that width in your fabric.
The result also shows the width your stitch count will actually measure, so you can see what rounding to a multiple did.
Typical gauge by yarn weight
These are the standard knitting gauge ranges from the Craft Yarn Council's yarn weight system, measured in stockinette over 4 inches. They are what yarn labels usually print. Your own gauge depends on your needles, your tension and the yarn, so use your swatch, not this chart, to cast on.
| Yarn weight | Gauge (stitches per 4 in) | Stitches per inch | Cast on for a 20 in width |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 Lace | 33–40 | 8.25–10 | 165–200 |
| 1 Super Fine | 27–32 | 6.75–8 | 135–160 |
| 2 Fine | 23–26 | 5.75–6.5 | 115–130 |
| 3 Light | 21–24 | 5.25–6 | 105–120 |
| 4 Medium | 16–20 | 4–5 | 80–100 |
| 5 Bulky | 12–15 | 3–3.75 | 60–75 |
| 6 Super Bulky | 7–11 | 1.75–2.75 | 35–55 |
| 7 Jumbo | 6 or fewer | 1.5 or fewer | 30 or fewer |
Example: casting on for a sweater front
Your blocked swatch gives 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches. You want a front 20 inches wide, starting in k2, p2 ribbing (a multiple of 4 plus 2), with one selvage stitch at each side for seaming, and 15 inches to the armhole.
- Stitches per inch: 18 ÷ 4 = 4.5.
- Pattern stitches: 20 × 4.5 = 90. Since 90 = 22 × 4 + 2, it already fits the multiple.
- Add the 2 selvage stitches: cast on 92 stitches.
- Rows per inch: 24 ÷ 4 = 6, so 15 inches is 15 × 6 = 90 rows.
Example: knitting a pattern at a different gauge
A pattern is written for 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches and casts on 100 stitches for a 20-inch piece that is 140 rows long. Your swatch is 18 stitches and 24 rows.
- The pattern's width: 100 ÷ 5 stitches per inch = 20 inches.
- Your count for 20 inches: 20 × 4.5 = 90 stitches, the same as 100 × 18 ÷ 20.
- Rows: 140 × 24 ÷ 28 = 120 rows.
If you cast on the pattern's 100 stitches at your gauge, the piece would measure 22.2 inches, more than 2 inches too wide. Rescaling works well for blankets, scarves and simple shapes. A shaped garment has many counts (decreases, pick-ups, charts), so changing needle size until you match the pattern's gauge is usually less work.
Tips for a gauge you can trust
- Swatch bigger than 4 inches. Edge stitches are uneven, so measure across the middle of a 6- to 8-inch swatch.
- Block the swatch. Wash and dry it like the finished piece. Some yarns, especially plant fibers and superwash wool, grow noticeably.
- Swatch in the pattern stitch. Ribbing and cables pull in; garter and lace spread out. A stockinette gauge will not tell you how wide a cabled panel is.
- Knit in the round if the project is in the round. Many knitters purl at a slightly different tension than they knit, so flat and circular stockinette can differ.
- Recheck as you go. Gauge often loosens as you relax into a project. Measure the piece itself after a few inches.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure knitting gauge?
Knit a swatch at least 6 inches square in the pattern stitch, then wash and dry it the way you will treat the finished piece. Lay it flat without stretching and count the stitches across 4 inches in the middle, away from the edges, including half stitches. Count rows over 4 inches the same way.
What do I do if my gauge doesn't match the pattern?
If you have more stitches per 4 inches than the pattern, your stitches are too small, so try a larger needle. If you have fewer, try a smaller needle. For simple shapes such as scarves and blankets you can keep your fabric and rescale the stitch counts with the converter instead.
How many stitches do I cast on for 20 inches?
Multiply the width by your stitches per inch. At 18 stitches per 4 inches (4.5 per inch) that is 90 stitches; at 20 stitches per 4 inches it is 100. Add any selvage or seam stitches on top, and round to the stitch multiple if the pattern has one.
Is a gauge over 4 inches the same as over 10 cm?
Almost. Four inches is 10.16 cm, so the two differ by 1.6 percent, and patterns treat them as the same swatch. The calculator uses the exact span for whichever unit you pick. On a 40-inch sweater, 1.6 percent is about 0.6 inch.
Does row gauge matter?
It matters when a pattern counts rows, for example in colorwork charts, raglan decreases or sleeve caps. When a pattern says to knit until the piece measures a length, it matters less. If you cannot match both, match the stitch gauge and recalculate the rows.
Last updated October 17, 2026.