KnitKnoteKnitting gauge calculator
Your swatch + the size you need = how many stitches to cast on and how many rows to knit.
Keep your gauge with every project
KnitKnote is a free knitting notebook on your phone: swatch, size math, row counter and a journal with photos.
Start your free notebookHow to measure your gauge
Knit a swatch at least 6 × 6 in (15 × 15 cm) in the stitch pattern of your project, then wash and block it the way you will treat the finished piece. Lay it flat without stretching.
Count the stitches across 4 in (10 cm) in the middle of the swatch, away from the edges, then count the rows over the same distance. Half stitches count: 22.5 is a valid gauge.
How the calculator works
Stitches = width × stitches per inch (or per cm), rounded to a whole stitch. Rows work the same way with the height. If the pattern needs an even or odd count, or a multiple for a stitch repeat, round to the nearest number that fits.
Questions
Why does my gauge differ from the yarn label? The label is a starting point. Your hands, needles and stitch pattern change it, which is why the swatch matters.
Should I measure before or after blocking? After. Many yarns grow or shrink when washed.