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Knitting Gauge Calculator

Calculate how many stitches to cast on based on your gauge swatch. Enter stitches per 10cm or 4 inches and desired width to get exact stitch count.

Your Gauge Swatch
Desired Finished Size

Cast On

110

stitches

Adjust for pattern repeat

If your stitch pattern repeats every N stitches, choose a nearby multiple:

Calculation

(50 cm ÷ 10 cm) × 22 stitches = 110 stitches

Standard gauge by yarn weight (reference)
Yarn Weight Stitches/10cm Needle Size
Lace 32-34 1.5-2.25mm
Fingering 27-32 2.25-3.25mm
Sport 23-26 3.25-3.75mm
DK 21-24 3.75-4.5mm
Worsted 16-20 4.5-5.5mm
Bulky 12-15 5.5-8mm
Super Bulky 6-11 8-12.75mm

About This Tool

Every knitter knows the frustration: you follow a pattern exactly, but the finished piece is too big or too small. The culprit is almost always gauge — your stitches per inch don't match the pattern's. This calculator solves that problem. Knit a gauge swatch, count your stitches per 10 cm (or 4 inches), and enter your desired finished width. The calculator tells you exactly how many stitches to cast on for YOUR gauge, not the pattern's. No more math errors, no more frogging. Works for any project — sweaters, scarves, blankets, hats. Supports both metric (cm) and imperial (inches) units. Also calculates rows for length if you enter your row gauge.

How to Use

1. Knit a gauge swatch at least 15cm × 15cm (6" × 6") in your pattern stitch 2. Wash and block the swatch as you would the finished piece 3. Measure stitches per 10cm (or 4 inches) in the center of the swatch 4. Enter your stitch gauge into the calculator 5. Enter the desired finished width of your piece 6. Read the number of stitches to cast on 7. Optionally enter row gauge and length for row count 8. Adjust for pattern repeats if needed (shown below result)

Formula

Stitches to cast on = (Desired width ÷ Swatch width) × Stitches in swatch Example: Gauge: 22 stitches per 10 cm Desired width: 55 cm Stitches = (55 ÷ 10) × 22 = 5.5 × 22 = 121 stitches For rows: Rows needed = (Desired length ÷ Swatch height) × Rows in swatch

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure knitting gauge?
Knit a swatch at least 15×15 cm (6×6 inches) — bigger is more accurate. Lay it flat without stretching. Place a ruler horizontally and count stitches over exactly 10 cm (or 4 inches) in the center of the swatch, away from edges. Count partial stitches too (like 22.5). Do the same vertically for row gauge.
Why is my gauge different from the pattern?
Everyone knits differently — some tight, some loose. Yarn, needles, and even your mood affect gauge. If you have more stitches per 10cm than the pattern, you knit tighter (try larger needles). Fewer stitches means you knit looser (try smaller needles). Or use this calculator to adjust the stitch count instead.
Do I need to block my gauge swatch?
Yes, always block your swatch the same way you'll block the finished item. Many yarns (especially wool and cotton) change significantly after washing. A swatch that measures 22 stitches per 10cm before blocking might be 20 stitches after. Blocking takes 10 minutes but saves hours of rework.
What if my stitch count needs to match a pattern repeat?
Many stitch patterns repeat over a set number (like cables every 8 stitches, or a lace pattern over 12). After calculating your cast-on, round to the nearest multiple of your pattern repeat, plus any edge stitches. This calculator shows nearby multiples to help you choose.
How accurate does my gauge need to be?
Very accurate for fitted garments (sweaters, hats) — even half a stitch per 10cm adds up. A sweater that's 100 stitches around with gauge off by 0.5 st/10cm will be 2-3 cm too big or small. For blankets and scarves, you can be more relaxed since exact size matters less.
What is row gauge and do I need it?
Row gauge is rows per 10cm vertically. You need it for: sweater length, sleeve caps, armhole shaping, and any pattern with vertical measurements. Many knitters focus only on stitch gauge, but row gauge matters for fit. If your row gauge is off, you may need more or fewer rows than the pattern states.
Should I measure gauge in stockinette or pattern stitch?
Measure in the stitch pattern you'll use for the project. Cables pull in (fewer stitches per cm), lace spreads out (more stitches per cm), ribbing is very stretchy. A stockinette gauge won't match a cable pattern. If the project has multiple stitch patterns, swatch each one.

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