Knitting gauge calculator
Turn your swatch into stitches and rows per 4 inches or 10 cm, and work out how many stitches to cast on and how many rows to knit for any size.
How to use the gauge calculator
- Count the stitches across your swatch and measure how wide they are.
- Count the rows and measure how tall they are.
- Enter the width and length you want: your gauge, the cast-on and the rows appear straight away.
Knitting colourwork from a picture? The knitting chart maker uses your gauge to show the finished size. See also the needle size chart and the blanket size chart.
Questions
How do I measure knitting gauge?
Knit a swatch at least 6 inches square in the pattern stitch, wash and dry it, and lay it flat. Count the stitches across 4 inches (10 cm) in the middle, away from the edges, and the rows down 4 inches.
How many stitches do I cast on?
Multiply the width you want by your stitches per inch. At 5 stitches per inch, a 20 inch wide piece needs 100 stitches. Then round to the stitch multiple your pattern asks for.
What if my gauge does not match the pattern?
If you have more stitches per 4 inches than the pattern, your knitting is tight: try needles one size bigger. Fewer stitches means it is loose: go one size smaller. Or keep your needles and use this calculator to recalculate the stitch counts.
Does it work for crochet?
Yes. Measure your crochet swatch the same way, and the result is how many stitches to chain or work and how many rows you need.
Why do I need rows per inch too?
Row gauge tells you how many rows make the length you want, which matters for colourwork charts, raglan shaping and anything worked to a set number of rows.