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Free Yarn & Knitting Calculator
Calculate the right yarn amount for your projects. Our knitting calculators help you with everything from yarn substitution to finding out how many meters you need.
Why Use a Yarn Calculator?
A yarn and knitting calculator is an indispensable tool for all knitters. Whether you want to substitute the yarn in a pattern, or just want to make sure you buy enough yarn, the calculator helps you determine the exact amount.
Many knitters have experienced running out of yarn in the middle of a project, or buying too many skeins that went unused. With our free yarn calculators, you avoid these problems by basing calculations on meters instead of just grams.
Our Yarn Calculators
Choose the calculator that fits your needs
Yarn Substitution Calculator
Calculate exactly how many skeins you need when substituting one yarn for another. Perfect when the pattern uses a yarn you can't find.
- Compare yardages
- Get exact skein count
- Avoid yarn shortage
Yardage Calculator
Calculate the total meters of yarn based on weight and yardage. Find out how much yarn your project requires in meters.
- Grams to meters
- Meters to grams
- Plan your purchase
Gauge Calculator
Compare your gauge with the pattern and get needle size recommendations to achieve the correct size.
- Stitch calculation
- Needle recommendation
- Size adjustment
How to Calculate Yarn Amount
Step 1: Find the Yardage
Yardage is the key to all yarn calculations. You can find this on the yarn label, usually listed as e.g. "150m/50g". This means there are 150 meters of yarn in a skein weighing 50 grams.
Step 2: Calculate Total Need in Meters
If the pattern says you need 400 grams of yarn with yardage 150m/50g, that means you need a total of: (400g ÷ 50g) × 150m = 1200 meters of yarn.
Step 3: Use the Yarn Calculator for Accurate Calculations
When you want to substitute with a different yarn, use our yarn substitution calculator. Enter the yardage for both the original yarn and your chosen alternative, and the calculator automatically determines how many skeins you need.
Pro Tip
Always buy one extra skein when calculating yarn amounts. It's better to have a little yarn left over than to run out in the middle of a project. Most yarn stores allow you to return unopened skeins.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yarn Calculator
How to calculate yarn amount?
To calculate yarn amount, you need the yardage (meters per 50g/100g) and the total grams specified in the pattern. The formula is (Specified grams / 50g) x yardage = total meters of yarn needed. Our yarn calculator does this calculation automatically for you.
How do I use a yarn calculator?
A yarn calculator helps you determine the right amount of yarn for your project. Enter the yardage (meters per skein) and weight, and the calculator will determine how much yarn you need.
What's the difference between a yarn substitution calculator and a yardage calculator?
A yarn substitution calculator determines how many skeins you need when switching to a different yarn with different yardage. A yardage calculator converts between weight and length based on the yarn's specifications.
Why is yardage important when calculating yarn amounts?
Yardage tells you how many meters of yarn there are per 50 or 100 grams. Even if two yarns have the same weight, they can have completely different lengths – and it's the length that determines if you have enough yarn for your project.
Can I use the yarn calculator for all yarn types?
Yes! The yarn calculator works for all yarn types as long as you know the yardage. You can find this information on the yarn label, usually listed as meters per 50g or 100g.