Yarn Yardage Calculator
Figure out roughly how much yarn to buy before you cast on — no sign-up, all in your browser.
📖 How it works & FAQTypical yardage by project & yarn weight
| Project | Fingering | DK | Worsted | Bulky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scarf | 350–525 | 250–450 | 200–350 | 150–250 |
| Hat | 200–300 | 150–250 | 100–200 | 75–150 |
| Baby blanket | 900–1500 | 700–1200 | 500–900 | 350–600 |
| Throw blanket | 2000–3500 | 1500–2500 | 900–1800 | 600–1200 |
| Adult sweater | 1200–2000 | 1000–1600 | 800–1400 | 600–1000 |
Ranges are in yards for a whole project and vary with size, stitch pattern and tension.
How this yardage estimate works
Running out of yarn mid-project — especially from a dye lot you can't rematch — is every maker's nightmare. This calculator gives you a quick starting number so you can buy with confidence. It multiplies your project's flat area (width × length in inches) by a yards-per-square-inch factor that changes with yarn weight. Thinner yarns like fingering pack more stitches into each inch, so they need more length; chunky and super bulky yarns cover ground fast and need less. The tool then adds a 15% buffer to cover swatching, seaming, edging and the odd frogged row.
A starting point, not a substitute for your pattern
If you're following a written pattern, always trust its stated yardage for your size first — designers calculate it from real samples. Use this estimate for improvised pieces, stash planning, or sanity-checking a pattern. Texture matters too: cables, colorwork and dense stitches eat 20–40% more yarn than plain stockinette, while lace uses less. When in doubt, round up and keep the ball band.
How to use it
- Pick a project from the dropdown to load a typical size, or choose Custom.
- Enter your finished width and length in inches. For a sweater, estimate the total flat panel area.
- Select the yarn weight you plan to use.
- Click Estimate yardage and read the base estimate plus the padded "buy about" number.
- Compare against the reference chart, then buy that many yards — plus one extra skein for insurance.
FAQ
- How accurate is this?
- It's an estimate only. Real usage depends on gauge, stitch pattern, tension and blocking, so treat the result as a planning guide and always keep a spare skein.
- How do I convert yards to grams or skeins?
- Check your ball band for yards per skein, then divide your total yards by that number and round up. Grams vary by fiber, so use the band's yards-to-weight ratio.
- Does it work for crochet?
- Yes, roughly — crochet generally uses more yarn than knitting for the same area, so lean toward the higher end and keep the 15% buffer.
- Is my data uploaded anywhere?
- No. Everything runs in your browser; nothing you type is sent to a server.