Knitting Gauge Calculator

What is gauge?

Gauge (also called tension) is how many stitches and rows fit into a given length of your knitted or crocheted fabric; it depends on your yarn, needle or hook size, and how tightly you work. Because every knitter is different, the same pattern can produce very different sizes unless you match gauge.

Knit a swatch first

1. Work a swatch at least 15 cm (6 in) square in your project stitch pattern.
2. Block it the way you will block the finished piece.
3. Lay it flat and count the stitches and rows across a measured span (4 in / 10 cm is standard).
4. Enter that span above along with the stitch and row counts.

The math

• Stitches per unit = stitches counted ÷ span measured
• Total stitches = stitches per unit × target width
• Total rows = rows per unit × target height

For example, 20 stitches over 4 inches is 5 stitches per inch; a 20 inch wide piece needs 5 × 20 = 100 stitches.

Stitch pattern repeats

Many stitch patterns (ribbing, cables, lace) only look right over a whole number of repeats. Enter the stitches per repeat and any fixed edge stitches, and the calculator rounds the cast-on to the nearest whole repeat so the pattern stays balanced. The row repeat works the same way for the vertical direction.

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