How to use this calculator
Enter the total amount of yarn your project needs in meters (or yards), the length per skein from your yarn label, and the weight per skein. The calculator tells you how many skeins to buy and the total weight of yarn you'll need. Always buy one extra skein. Running out mid-project with a discontinued dye lot is every knitter's nightmare.
How much yarn do I need?
Yarn requirements depend on three things: what you're knitting, what size, and what yarn weight. A fingering-weight adult sweater uses roughly 1200–1500 meters. A bulky hat might need 100 meters. Pattern instructions always list the total yardage. That's the number you enter here.
Reading a yarn label
Every yarn label (or ball band) tells you the weight per skein and the length per skein. These are the two numbers this calculator needs. If you've lost the label, weigh your yarn on a kitchen scale and check the manufacturer's website for the meters-per-gram ratio.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know how much yarn my project needs?
Your pattern lists total yardage or meterage in the materials section. If you're designing without a pattern, search for average yarn requirements by project type and size. There are well-established ranges for most garments.
Should I buy extra yarn?
Always. Buy at least one extra skein, especially if your yarn has a dye lot number. Dye lots vary slightly in color, and matching later may be impossible if the lot is sold out.
What if my yarn label is in grams but the pattern lists yards?
Convert using your yarn's meters-per-gram ratio. Divide the label's length by its weight to get meters per gram, then multiply by the total grams you have. Or use KnitTools. It handles the math for you.
Does yarn weight category affect how much I need?
Yes. Thinner yarn (fingering, sport) requires more meters for the same project than thicker yarn (worsted, bulky) because the stitches are smaller and you need more of them to cover the same area.
Can I substitute a different yarn than the pattern recommends?
Yes, if the gauge matches. Knit a swatch with your substitute yarn, check that you get the same stitch count per 10 cm, and use this calculator to figure out how many skeins of the new yarn you need.