Yarn Weight Chart: A Complete Guide to Yarn Weights

Yarn weight is simply how thick the strand is, and it is the first thing we look to match when following a pattern. Use a similar weight to a pattern’s recommended yarn to make a gauge swatch. Get the gauge right and your finished size comes out right! This chart lays out all eight standard weights with their gauge, needle, and hook sizes, plus what each one is best for.

What yarn weight means

Weight refers to thickness, not to how much the skein weighs. The Craft Yarn Council groups yarn into eight standard categories, numbered 0 to 7, from the finest lace to the thickest jumbo. A thinner yarn needs smaller needles and makes more stitches per inch, while a thicker yarn needs bigger needles and works up fast.

The yarn weight chart

Gauge below is the typical range of knit stitches over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette. Hook and needle sizes are starting points, always trust your pattern and your own swatch.

Standard yarn weights 0 to 7, with knit gauge, needle size, hook size, and what each weight suits best.

Symbol	Weight name	Also called	Knit gauge (4 in)	Needle (US)	Hook	Best for
	Lace	Also calledCobweb, thread, 2-ply	Knit gauge (4 in)32 to 42 sts	Needle (US)000 to 1	HookSteel 1.4 to 2.25 mm	Best forLace shawls, fine detail
	Fingering	Also calledSuper fine, sock, baby	Knit gauge (4 in)27 to 32 sts	Needle (US)1 to 3	Hook2.25 to 3.5 mm	Best forSocks, shawls, lightweight garments
	Sport	Also calledFine, baby	Knit gauge (4 in)23 to 26 sts	Needle (US)3 to 5	Hook3.5 to 4.5 mm	Best forLight garments, baby knits
	DK	Also calledLight worsted	Knit gauge (4 in)21 to 24 sts	Needle (US)5 to 7	Hook4.5 to 5.5 mm	Best forSweaters, accessories, versatile
	Worsted	Also calledMedium, aran, afghan	Knit gauge (4 in)16 to 20 sts	Needle (US)7 to 9	Hook5.5 to 6.5 mm	Best forSweaters, blankets, hats, learning
	Bulky	Also calledChunky, craft, rug	Knit gauge (4 in)12 to 15 sts	Needle (US)9 to 11	Hook6.5 to 9 mm	Best forCozy sweaters, quick blankets
	Super bulky	Also calledSuper chunky, roving	Knit gauge (4 in)7 to 11 sts	Needle (US)11 to 17	Hook9 to 15 mm	Best forFast blankets, chunky hats
	Jumbo	Also calledJumbo, roving	Knit gauge (4 in)6 sts and fewer	Needle (US)17 and up	Hook15 mm and up	Best forArm knitting, statement pieces

Each weight explained

Lace weight (0)

The finest yarn, made for airy, delicate fabric. Lace is often held double with another yarn to add color or dimension, or knit on larger needles in lace designs. It gives the most yardage per gram of any weight.

Fingering and sock weight (1)

Super fine yarn, the standard for socks and lightweight shawls. It rewards you with long-wearing, portable projects and takes color beautifully. Shop our fingering weight yarn.

Sport weight (2)

A step up from fingering, light and quick while still fine enough for baby knits and delicate garments.

DK weight (3)

DK, short for double knitting, gets its name for being twice as thick as a fingering (1) weight strand. It is light enough for detail and substantial enough for sweaters, making it a great option for a variety of projects. 

Worsted and aran weight (4)

The most popular all-purpose weight and a great middle ground to learn on. Worsted works up at a satisfying pace and suits nearly everything: sweaters, hats, blankets, and accessories. Aran is a touch heavier but grouped in the same weight class, so gauge swatching is important when deciding your worsted weight yarn. 

Bulky and super bulky (5 and 6)

Thick, cozy yarns that fly off the needles. Perfect for quick blankets, warm hats, and chunky cowls when you want a finished piece fast. Browse our bulky yarn.

Jumbo (7)

The thickest on the standard weight scale, sometimes used for arm knitting and bold, sculptural pieces. Roving, classified in this weight, is unspun wool that can be spun into yarn. 

How to find a yarn’s weight

Check the ball band! Every brand writes their yarn information slightly differently, but the ball band will typically have either the written word for weight (like worsted), or the numbered symbol for that weight (like 4). Other hints on the band include recommended needle size and gauge, if weight is not explicitly given. If the band is long gone, you can estimate by wrapping the yarn around a ruler and counting wraps per inch (WPI). When in doubt, knit a quick swatch and compare your gauge to the chart above.

How to substitute yarn by weight

To swap one yarn for another in a pattern, start with a yarn of the same or similar weight. Knit a swatch to confirm you can hit the pattern’s gauge. To find the closest match in feel to a recommended yarn, we also recommend looking for the same fiber or fiber blend. This part is not necessary, but it can help your project behave in a similar way, in the fabric’s drape and texture, to the photos you’ve seen of completed projects in the recommended yarns. When you are ready, you can browse our yarn by weight to find a match.

US, UK, and Australian terms

Weight names sometimes vary by country, which can cause some confusion at first glance. A few common translations: US fingering is UK 4-ply, US sport is UK 5-ply, and US bulky is UK chunky. When following a pattern written for another audience, match the gauge rather than the name and you will be fine.