Gauge Calculator

Turn a measured swatch into stitches and rows per inch and per centimetre, and see the stitch count for a width.

Gauge is the single measurement that decides whether a finished piece fits. This calculator takes the swatch you actually measured and converts it into the numbers patterns use, in both inches and centimetres, and shows the stitch counts you would work for a given width.

At a glance

What you enter: Stitches in your swatch, Rows in your swatch, Measured width, Measured height, Width you want to work, Height you want to work
What you get: Stitches per inch, Rows per inch, Stitches per centimetre, Rows per centimetre, Stitches for your width, Rows for your height
Formula shown: Yes, every step, right below your results.
Cost and privacy: Free, no account needed, and nothing you type is stored.

See worked examples ↓ Read the FAQ ↓ Share this calculator ↓

Stitches in your swatch st

Rows in your swatch rows

Measured width in

Measured height in

Width you want to work in

Height you want to work in

Reset

Results are estimates for general information only, always verify with a professional or official source before acting on them.

How to use the Gauge Calculator

1 Enter Stitches in your swatch (st)
2 Enter Rows in your swatch (rows)
3 Enter Measured width (in)
4 Enter Measured height (in)
5 Enter Width you want to work (in)
6 Enter Height you want to work (in)
7 Press Calculate. You get Stitches per inch, Rows per inch, Stitches per centimetre, Rows per centimetre, Stitches for your width, Rows for your height, and every intermediate step stays visible under "How is this calculated?"
8 Change one number at a time to see what moves the result, that is usually the most useful thing a calculator can tell you.

Worked examples

Real numbers run through this calculator. Open any example to load it into the form above and change it.

Typical worsted swatch

18 stitches and 24 rows measured over 4 inches, for a 40 inch panel.

You enter

Stitches in your swatch: 18
Rows in your swatch: 24
Measured width: 4 in
Measured height: 4 in
Width you want to work: 40 in
Height you want to work: 20 in

You get

Stitches per inch: 4.50 st/in
Rows per inch: 6.00 rows/in
Stitches per centimetre: 1.77 st/cm
Rows per centimetre: 2.36 rows/cm
Stitches for your width: 180
Rows for your height: 120

Round the cast on to a multiple of your pattern repeat.

Open this example in the calculator →

Fine gauge sock swatch

32 stitches and 44 rows over 4 inches in sock weight.

You enter

Stitches in your swatch: 32
Rows in your swatch: 44
Measured width: 4 in
Measured height: 4 in
Width you want to work: 8 in
Height you want to work: 9 in

You get

Stitches per inch: 8.00 st/in
Rows per inch: 11.00 rows/in
Stitches per centimetre: 3.15 st/cm
Rows per centimetre: 4.33 rows/cm
Stitches for your width: 64
Rows for your height: 99

Fine gauge needs a wider swatch to measure accurately.

Open this example in the calculator →

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Frequently asked questions

How do I measure gauge properly?

Work a swatch at least 6 inches or 15 centimetres square in the stitch pattern the project uses, then wash and block it the way you will wash the finished piece. Lay it flat, place a ruler across the middle, and count the stitches over 4 inches. Do not stretch the fabric to make the count come out nicer.

Should I measure gauge before or after blocking?

After. Many fibres relax or bloom when washed, and a swatch that measured 18 stitches per 4 inches before blocking can settle at 17 afterwards. Blocking first means the garment you finish matches the garment you planned.

What if my gauge does not match the pattern?

Change your needle or hook until it does, then check that you still like the fabric. If the fabric feels too stiff or too loose at the correct gauge, the yarn is the wrong choice for that pattern rather than your tension being wrong. Adjusting stitch counts instead of gauge usually distorts the shape.

Why do patterns measure gauge over 4 inches?

Four inches is wide enough that a single stitch of measurement error becomes a small percentage, and it corresponds neatly to 10 centimetres. Measuring over 1 inch amplifies every small counting mistake into a large one.

Terms used here

Short, plain-language definitions of the words this calculator uses.

Blocking Wetting or steaming a finished piece and pinning it to shape while it dries. Gauge The number of stitches and rows a knitter or crocheter produces over a fixed distance, almost always measured over 4 inches or 10 centimetres. Stitch repeat The number of stitches a pattern uses before it starts again. Swatch A test piece worked before a project begins, used to measure gauge and to judge how the fabric behaves.

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