crochetguideYarn weight chart: categories 0 to 7, hooks and gauge
Find the number on your yarn label, see how thick that yarn is, and read the crochet hook and gauge that usually go with it.
Em português tabela de espessura de fios
Yarn weight categories 0 to 7
| Category on the label | Thickness | Crochet hook | Gauge, 10 cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 · Lacefingering, 10-count crochet thread | steel 1.4-1.6 or regular 2.25 mmUS steel 6-8 or regular B-1 | 32–42 dcdouble crochet | |
| 1 · Super Finesock, fingering, baby | 2.25-3.5 mmUS B-1 to E-4 | 21–32 scsingle crochet | |
| 2 · Finesport, baby | 3.5-4.5 mmUS E-4 to 7 | 16–20 scsingle crochet | |
| 3 · LightDK, light worsted | 4.5-5.5 mmUS 7 to I-9 | 12–17 scsingle crochet | |
| 4 · Mediumworsted, afghan, aran | 5.5-6.5 mmUS I-9 to K-10.5 | 11–14 scsingle crochet | |
| 5 · Bulkychunky, craft, rug | 6.5-9 mmUS K-10.5 to M-13 | 8–11 scsingle crochet | |
| 6 · Super Bulkysuper bulky, roving | 9-15 mmUS M-13 to Q | 7–9 scsingle crochet | |
| 7 · Jumbojumbo, roving | 15 mm or largerUS Q or larger | 6 or fewer scsingle crochet |
Tap a category for its wraps per inch, UK and Australian names, uses and the yarns we’ve reviewed.
The Craft Yarn Council has announced a size 8 for its updated system but has not yet published its hook and gauge ranges, so this chart shows the published categories 0 to 7.
Each weight in detail
-
0 · Lace
fingering, 10-count crochet thread
Doilies, lace and fine shawls
- Crochet hook
- steel 1.4-1.6 or regular 2.25 mmUS steel 6-8 or regular B-1
- Crochet gauge, 10 cm
- 32–42 double crochetsLace is given in double crochet; open lace varies
- Wraps per inch
- 30–40+
- Other names
- UK: 1 ply, 2 plyAustralia: 2 ply
-
1 · Super Fine
sock, fingering, baby
Socks, baby clothes and fine wraps
- Crochet hook
- 2.25-3.5 mmUS B-1 to E-4
- Crochet gauge, 10 cm
- 21–32 single crochets
- Wraps per inch
- 14–30
- Other names
- UK: 3 ply, 4 plyAustralia: 3 ply, 4 ply
-
2 · Fine
sport, baby
Baby items, light tops and shawls
- Crochet hook
- 3.5-4.5 mmUS E-4 to 7
- Crochet gauge, 10 cm
- 16–20 single crochets
- Wraps per inch
- 12–18
- Other names
- UK: –Australia: 5 ply
-
3 · Light
DK, light worsted
Garments, baby blankets and amigurumi
- Crochet hook
- 4.5-5.5 mmUS 7 to I-9
- Crochet gauge, 10 cm
- 12–17 single crochets
- Wraps per inch
- 11–15
- Other names
- UK: DK (double knitting)Australia: 8 ply
Yarns we’ve reviewed: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK yarn, Lion Brand Wool-Ease DK yarn, Bernat Softee Cotton yarn, Paintbox Yarns Simply DK
-
4 · Medium
worsted, afghan, aran
Blankets, hats, scarves and bags
- Crochet hook
- 5.5-6.5 mmUS I-9 to K-10.5
- Crochet gauge, 10 cm
- 11–14 single crochets
- Wraps per inch
- 9–12
- Other names
- UK: Aran, worstedAustralia: 10 ply, 12 ply
Yarns we’ve reviewed: Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton worsted yarn, Lion Brand Wool-Ease worsted yarn, Lion Brand Heartland yarn, Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling yarn, Red Heart Super Saver yarn, Paintbox Yarns Cotton Aran, Knit Picks Dishie Cone yarn
-
5 · Bulky
chunky, craft, rug
Quick blankets, cowls and rugs
- Crochet hook
- 6.5-9 mmUS K-10.5 to M-13
- Crochet gauge, 10 cm
- 8–11 single crochets
- Wraps per inch
- 6–9
- Other names
- UK: ChunkyAustralia: 12 ply, 16 ply
-
6 · Super Bulky
super bulky, roving
Chunky throws and quick hats
- Crochet hook
- 9-15 mmUS M-13 to Q
- Crochet gauge, 10 cm
- 7–9 single crochets
- Wraps per inch
- 5–6
- Other names
- UK: Super chunkyAustralia: –
Yarns we’ve reviewed: Bernat Blanket yarn
-
7 · Jumbo
jumbo, roving
Jumbo blankets and rugs, worked with very large hooks or by hand
- Crochet hook
- 15 mm or largerUS Q or larger
- Crochet gauge, 10 cm
- 6 or fewer single crochets
- Wraps per inch
- 1–4
- Other names
- UK: –Australia: –
The Craft Yarn Council groups yarn from 0 Lace through 7 Jumbo. Names such as DK, worsted and bulky describe common families within those categories. Regional names overlap; use the category, label gauge and actual swatch together.
The hook and single-crochet gauge ranges in the table below are guidelines. A pattern can deliberately choose a hook outside the range to make a dense or open fabric. Crochet gauge is not the knitting gauge printed elsewhere on the label.
Strands are drawn to show relative thickness, not actual size. Hook and gauge ranges: the Craft Yarn Council’s yarn weight system. Wraps per inch: the Council’s separate WPI chart. UK and Australian names are common equivalents, not exact matches.
Quick answers
- What weight is size 4 yarn?
- Size 4 is Medium: worsted, afghan and aran yarn. In crochet it usually goes with a 5.5-6.5 mm hook (US I-9 to K-10.5) and makes about 11-14 single crochets per 10 cm.
- DK or sport: which is thicker?
- DK is thicker. Sport is category 2, Fine (3.5-4.5 mm hook, 16-20 single crochets per 10 cm). DK is category 3, Light (4.5-5.5 mm hook, 12-17 single crochets per 10 cm).
- What is DK yarn weight?
- DK, short for double knitting, is category 3, Light. In Australia and New Zealand the same thickness is called 8 ply.
- What is medium weight yarn?
- Medium is category 4: worsted, afghan and aran. Many blanket, hat and beginner patterns use it, on a 5.5-6.5 mm hook.
- What is sport weight yarn?
- Sport is category 2, Fine: thinner than DK, used for baby items and light garments, on a 3.5-4.5 mm hook. Australia calls a similar yarn 5 ply.
- Is yarn weight the weight of the ball?
- No. The category describes how thick the strand is. A 100 g ball can hold thin or thick yarn; the length on the label tells you how much you can crochet with.
Ball weight and yarn weight are different
A 100 g ball can hold thin or thick yarn. “Yarn weight 4” describes a thickness category; “100 g” describes the amount in the package. The length per ball tells you how much yarn you can actually crochet with.
For substitution, compare meters per gram as a useful clue, not a thickness measurement. Fiber density and yarn construction affect the result. Two yarns can have similar meters per gram yet behave differently after washing.
Fiber and construction change the fabric
Cotton, wool blends and acrylic do not have interchangeable elasticity, surface texture or care. Plied smooth yarn usually makes the individual stitch easier to recognize than a fluffy or chenille surface. The project determines which effect is useful.
Compare exact variants. Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton DK and 24/7 Cotton worsted are different products, and sparkle variants can change the fiber blend and ball size. Check the full name on the label before you buy more of a yarn.
When the label is missing
A wraps-per-inch measurement can help narrow an unknown yarn, but it is sensitive to how tightly you wrap and to yarn texture. Wrap strands side by side without stretching or leaving gaps. Treat the result as a clue, then swatch.
If you do not know the fiber or care, do not assume the yarn tolerates steam or machine drying. Make a small sample and test the intended care. For a fitted pattern or a gift requiring predictable washing, a known yarn label is a better starting point.
Measure wraps per inch
Wrap the yarn around a pencil for a few inches, snug and side by side, without gaps or overlaps. Count how many wraps fit in one inch, in more than one place, and compare the number with the chart. The result depends on how tightly you wrap, so treat it as a clue and make a swatch.