Knitting Yarn Quantity Calculator

Work out knitting yarn quantity instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Knitting Yarn Quantity Calculator

Stitch and row counts come from the gauge, and each stitch consumes roughly three times the stitch width in yarn, which is the standard rule for stocking stitch. Yarn use scales with stitch count and therefore with gauge, so knitting the same jumper at a tighter gauge uses noticeably more yarn.

Formulas

Stitch count

stitches = width / 10 x stitch gauge x length / 10 x row gauge

Yarn length

metres = stitches x 3 x stitch width in cm / 100

Worked example

With the default values below, Knitting Yarn Quantity Calculator returns Yarn needed of 270.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Finished piece widthminimum 1 cm: 50 cm
Finished piece lengthminimum 1 cm: 60 cm
Stitches per 10 cmminimum 1: 22
Rows per 10 cmminimum 1: 30

Results

Yarn needed: 270.0 m
Total stitches in the piece: 19,800
Balls of 200 m to buy: 2
Stitches to cast on: 110

Step by step

1Values used
2Stitch count
3Yarn length
4Yarn needed= 270.0 m
5Total stitches in the piece= 19,800
6Balls of 200 m to buy= 2
7Stitches to cast on= 110

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Knitting Yarn Quantity figure worked out?

stitches = width / 10 x stitch gauge x length / 10 x row gauge. Stitch and row counts come from the gauge, and each stitch consumes roughly three times the stitch width in yarn, which is the standard rule for stocking stitch.

Why does this matter?

Yarn use scales with stitch count and therefore with gauge, so knitting the same jumper at a tighter gauge uses noticeably more yarn.

What do I need to enter?

Enter finished piece width, finished piece length, stitches per 10 cm, rows per 10 cm. The defaults shown are a realistic worked example — swap in your own figures to get a result you can use.