Makers Calculator

Yarn Weight Chart

The eight standard yarn weights, from 0 Lace to 7 Jumbo, with their UK names, wraps per inch, typical gauge and the hook and needle sizes to start with.

Yarn weights with UK names, wraps per inch, gauge, needle and hook sizes
WeightAlso calledUK (approx.)Wraps per inchKnit gaugeNeedlesCrochet gaugeHook
0 LaceFingering, 10-count crochet thread1–2 ply30–40+33–401.5–2.25 mm (US 000–1)32–42 (dc)steel hooks 1.4–1.6 mm (steel 6, 7, 8) or a regular 2.25 mm (B-1)
1 Super FineSock, fingering, baby3–4 ply14–3027–322.25–3.25 mm (US 1–3)21–322.25–3.5 mm (B-1 to E-4)
2 FineSport, baby5 ply12–1823–263.25–3.75 mm (US 3–5)16–203.5–4.5 mm (E-4 to 7)
3 LightDK, light worstedDK / 8 ply11–1521–243.75–4.5 mm (US 5–7)12–174.5–5.5 mm (7 to I-9)
4 MediumWorsted, afghan, aranAran / 10 ply9–1216–204.5–5.5 mm (US 7–9)11–145.5–6.5 mm (I-9 to K-10½)
5 BulkyChunky, craft, rugChunky / 12 ply6–912–155.5–8 mm (US 9–11)8–116.5–9 mm (K-10½ to M/N-13)
6 Super BulkySuper bulky, rovingSuper chunky5–67–118–12.75 mm (US 11–17)7–99–15 mm (M/N-13 to P/Q)
7 JumboJumbo, rovingJumbo / ultra chunky1–46 or fewer12.75 mm and larger (US 17 and larger)6 or fewer15 mm and larger (P/Q and larger)

Gauge is stitches per 4 in (10 cm): stockinette for knitting, single crochet for crochet (double crochet for lace). Weights, gauges and tool sizes follow the Craft Yarn Council's Standard Yarn Weight System, which gives them as guidelines only. UK names and wraps per inch are not part of the standard: they are commonly used approximations. Scroll the table sideways on a phone.

What yarn weight means

Yarn weight is about thickness, not how heavy a ball is. A thicker yarn makes bigger stitches, so you need fewer of them to fill 4 in, and a bigger hook or needle to work them. Most yarn labels in the US show a small skein symbol with a number from 0 to 7; that number is the category in the chart above. UK and Australian labels often use ply names instead, such as 4 ply, DK or aran.

Ply once meant the number of strands twisted together, but today it's just a name for a thickness: a modern DK can be spun from one strand or six. Treat the UK column as a rough match and check the gauge on the label.

How to measure wraps per inch

Lost the label? Wrap the yarn round a ruler or pencil, strands sitting snugly side by side without stretching or overlapping, and count how many wraps fill 1 in. Around 9–12 wraps suggests worsted or aran; 11–15, DK. The ranges overlap because fluffy or tightly spun yarns behave differently, so knit or crochet a swatch to be sure.

Swapping one yarn for another

Pick a yarn from the same category and check that its label gauge matches the pattern's. Then make a swatch with the suggested hook or needle and change size until your gauge matches. Fibre matters too: a cotton DK is heavier and less stretchy than a wool DK, so a garment may hang differently.

FAQs

Is DK the same as light worsted?

They share category 3 (Light), and they're often swapped for each other. Worsted proper is category 4 (Medium), a little thicker; in the UK the closest match is aran.

What is 4 ply yarn in US terms?

UK and Australian 4 ply is roughly fingering or sock yarn, category 1 (Super Fine). Don't confuse it with US yarns labelled “4-ply”, which are usually worsted weight.

Which yarn weight is best for beginners?

Category 4 (worsted or aran) with a 5–5.5 mm hook or 4.5–5 mm needles. The stitches are easy to see, and projects grow quickly. See the crochet hook size chart to convert hook sizes.

What yarn weight is good for a blanket?

Worsted (4) and bulky (5) are the most popular: warm, quick to work and hard-wearing. Super bulky (6) and jumbo (7) make chunky throws in a weekend, but use a lot of yarn.

More crochet and yarn charts

Other calculators for makers