Knitting Tool
Knitting Gauge Calculator
Measure your swatch to find out if your tension is too tight or loose, which needle size to switch to, and exact stitch counts for your project.
How to use the calculator
- 1 Knit a swatch
Measure stitches over 4 in10 cm on a washed and blocked swatch.
- 2 Enter numbers
Enter the pattern gauge and your measured gauge into the tool.
- 3 Get recommendations
See needle size adjustments and tailored stitch counts.
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Result: Knitting Gauge
Gauge Calculator
Compare your actual knitting gauge with the pattern requirements. Get exact needle size recommendations and custom stitch counts to achieve the perfect fit.
A Norwegian version of this page is available on Strikketips.no
What the calculator tells you
Enter the pattern's gauge and the gauge you measured on your washed swatch. The calculator tells you whether you knit tighter or looser than the pattern, which way to change needle size, and — if you give it a width — how wide the garment would actually come out at your gauge.
That last number is the one that makes the difference visible. A sweater body of 220 stitches is 40 in100 cm around at 22 sts per 4 in10 cm, and 44 in110 cm at 20 sts. On that body, two stitches per 4 in10 cm is 4 in10 cm of sweater.
The calculator is only as good as the number you give it. How big to knit the swatch, how to block it and where to measure is in how to knit a gauge swatch.
How to calculate knitting gauge manually
Your gauge from a swatch of any width
Gauge (sts per 4 in) = (stitches counted ÷ width measured in inches) × 4
Metric: Gauge (sts per 10 cm) = (stitches counted ÷ width measured in cm) × 10
Example: 24 stitches over 4.8 in12 cm. 24 ÷ 4.8 = 5 stitches per inch, × 4 = 20 stitches per 4 in10 cm. If the pattern asks for 22, you are knitting too loosely and should go down a needle size. Row gauge works the same way, vertically.
Stitch counts from your gauge
Stitches = desired width in inches × (gauge ÷ 4). A 20 in50 cm hat at 20 sts per 4 in10 cm is 20 × 5 = 100 stitches.
Recalculating a pattern to your gauge
New stitch count = pattern's stitch count × your gauge ÷ pattern's gauge. At 22 sts where the pattern expects 20, a 200-stitch cast-on becomes 220. When and how to do it is in all about knitting gauge.
Stitch counts for common projects
| Gauge (per 4 in / 10 cm) | Sock (8.5 in / 22 cm circumference) | Hat (20 in / 50 cm circumference) | Sweater (40 in / 100 cm circumference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 stitches | approx. 40 stitches | 90 stitches | 180 stitches |
| 20 stitches | approx. 44 stitches | 100 stitches | 200 stitches |
| 22 stitches | approx. 48 stitches | 110 stitches | 220 stitches |
Sock counts are rounded to the nearest multiple of 4; hat and sweater counts are the exact product. All of them are for stockinette at the full measurement. Hats and socks are knitted narrower than the head or foot so they stay on — the hat calculator uses 3.5% for a slouchy fit, 8% for standard and 11.5% for snug, and our hat guide shows the full calculation. The increase and decrease assistant distributes any increases evenly after the ribbing.
Converting gauge between per 4 inches and per 10 cm
Patterns written in inches give gauge over 4 inches; metric patterns give it over 10 cm. The two are close but not identical — 4 inches is 10.16 cm — so the same number of stitches quoted per 4 inches is about 1.6% looser than when it is quoted per 10 cm.
- Stitches per 4 inches = stitches per 10 cm × 1.016
- Stitches per 10 cm = stitches per 4 inches ÷ 1.016
20 stitches over 4 inches is about 19.7 over 10 cm, and 22 stitches over 10 cm is about 22.4 over 4 inches. On a scarf the difference disappears; on a 200-stitch sweater body it is worth roughly 0.6 in1.6 cm of circumference. Convert first, then compare. The needle size conversion chart translates US needle numbers to millimeters, and the unit converter handles lengths and weights.
How far to change the needle size
The calculator gives you a direction, not a distance. There is no reliable conversion from stitches off to millimeters of needle: how far a needle change moves your gauge depends on the yarn, the stitch pattern and how tightly you hold the working yarn. Go one size in the right direction, knit another swatch and measure again. It is the swatch that decides, not the arithmetic.
If your gauge still won't come right, the causes are laid out symptom by symptom in gauge errors. Swatching for a project knit in the round is its own topic: gauge in the round vs. flat. And if your stitches match but your rows don't, see row gauge.
What do I do if my knitting gauge is incorrect?
If you have more stitches per 4 in10 cm than the pattern (knitting tightly), you should go up in needle size. If you have fewer stitches (knitting loosely), you should go down in needle size.
How do I work out stitch counts from my gauge?
Multiply your desired width (in inches) by your gauge per inch (gauge ÷ 4). Example: a hat with a 20 in50 cm circumference and a gauge of 20 stitches per 4 in10 cm gives 20 × (20 ÷ 4) = 100 stitches. The table on this page shows pre-calculated stitch counts for hats, sweaters and socks.
How big should my gauge swatch be?
At least 6 in15 cm each way. For the cast-on, take the pattern's stitches per 4 in10 cm, divide by 4 and multiply by 6 — 30 stitches for a pattern at 20. That lets you measure in the middle of the swatch, away from the uneven edge stitches. Wash and dry the swatch before measuring.
Why is it important to wash the gauge swatch?
Many yarns change after washing. Some stretch, while others shrink. Washing your swatch ensures the garment fits even after its first wash.
What if my gauge still doesn't match?
If changing needle size isn't enough, try needles in a different material — in our experience wood and bamboo grip the yarn more than metal — or consider a different yarn. You can also keep your own gauge and recalculate the pattern. Our gauge errors guide goes through the causes symptom by symptom.