KnitCalcs
Yarn Yardage Calculator — Estimate Yarn for Any Project
Calculate total yarn yardage needed for your knitting or crochet project based on dimensions, gauge, and yarn weight.
How We Calculate This
This calculator estimates yarn yardage by calculating the fabric area and applying standard grams-per-square-centimetre values for each yarn weight category.
The formula
Total grams = Project width (cm) x Project length (cm) x Grams per cm²
Total metres = Total grams x Metres per gram (based on yarn weight)
Balls needed = Total metres / Metres per ball
Typical grams per cm² by weight
These fabric densities are set so that the metres of yarn per unit area scales with gauge, in line with the published yardage rule of about 0.12 metres per cm² for a worsted-weight stockinette fabric (Interweave). Finer yarns are knit at a tighter gauge, so they use fewer grams per cm² but far more metres per gram — meaning more metres per area overall — while heavier yarns use more grams but fewer metres. Each density below corresponds to that weight's Craft Yarn Council recommended stockinette gauge.
- Lace: 0.025 g/cm²
- Fingering / 4-ply: 0.043 g/cm²
- Sport / 5-ply: 0.048 g/cm²
- DK / 8-ply: 0.058 g/cm²
- Worsted: 0.059 g/cm²
- Aran / 10-ply: 0.060 g/cm²
- Chunky / 12-ply: 0.072 g/cm²
- Super Bulky: 0.090 g/cm²
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates based on standard yarn weights and gauge. Results may vary with individual tension, yarn brand, and needle size.