Yarn guide · Charts & reference
Yarn Weight Chart for Crochet
Understand yarn weights at a glance — from lace to jumbo — with typical crochet gauge, recommended hook sizes and what each weight is best for.
On this page
Yarn weight describes how thick a yarn is. It affects the size of your stitches, the hook you use, how much yarn a project needs and how the finished fabric feels. Many yarn labels, especially in North America, show a standard weight number from 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo).
| Weight | Also called | Crochet gauge (4 in / 10 cm) | Hook (mm) | Hook (US) | Approx. WPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0Lace | Fingering, 10-count crochet thread | 32–42 dc* | Steel 1.6–1.4 mm; regular 2.25 mm | Steel 6–8; B-1 | 30–40+ |
| 1Super Fine | Sock, fingering, baby | 21–32 sc | 2.25–3.5 mm | B-1 to E-4 | 14–30 |
| 2Fine | Sport, baby | 16–20 sc | 3.5–4.5 mm | E-4 to 7 | 12–18 |
| 3Light | DK, light worsted | 12–17 sc | 4.5–5.5 mm | 7 to I-9 | 11–15 |
| 4Medium | Worsted, afghan, aran | 11–14 sc | 5.5–6.5 mm | I-9 to K-10½ | 9–12 |
| 5Bulky | Chunky, craft, rug | 8–11 sc | 6.5–9 mm | K-10½ to M-13 | 6–9 |
| 6Super Bulky | Super bulky, super chunky, roving | 7–9 sc | 9–15 mm | M-13 to Q | 5–6 |
| 7Jumbo | Jumbo, roving | 6 sc and fewer | 15 mm and larger | Q and larger | 1–4 |
Reading a yarn label
A yarn label packs in a lot of useful information:
- Weight symbol — the number from 0 to 7, sometimes with a name such as “DK” or “worsted”.
- Recommended hook or needle size — a starting point for your gauge swatch.
- Gauge — how many stitches and rows the manufacturer expects in a 4 in (10 cm) square.
- Length and weight — for example 200 yd / 100 g. Length matters most when buying enough.
- Fiber content — cotton, acrylic, wool or a blend.
- Dye lot — buy all skeins for one project from the same dye lot.
- Care instructions — washing and drying advice.
Common yarn weight names
Different countries and brands use different names. “Sport”, “DK”, “worsted”, “aran” and “chunky” are the ones you will meet most often. Because names overlap, the weight number, gauge and length per 100 g are more reliable than the name alone.
Checking a yarn’s weight without a label
If a skein has lost its label, use wraps per inch (WPI):
- Wrap the yarn around a ruler or pencil, laying each wrap snugly beside the last without overlapping or stretching.
- Count how many wraps fit in 1 inch (2.5 cm).
- Compare your number with the WPI column in the chart above.
WPI is an estimate, but it is usually enough to place a mystery yarn in the right category.
Choosing a weight for your project
| Project | Typical weights |
|---|---|
| Amigurumi | Light or medium, with a small hook |
| Blankets | Medium, bulky or super bulky |
| Garments | Fine, light or medium |
| Baby items | Fine or light |
| Bags | Medium cotton |
| Hats and scarves | Medium or bulky |
Sources
- Craft Yarn Council, Standard Yarn Weight System — the industry standard behind the 0–7 weight categories, typical gauge ranges and recommended hook sizes in this chart.
- Wraps-per-inch ranges are common approximations used by crocheters and spinners; they are not part of the official standard.
Common questions
Is worsted the same as aran?
They are close and are often both placed in the medium (#4) category, but aran is usually a little thicker. Compare gauge and yardage before substituting one for the other.
What does DK mean?
DK stands for double knitting — a light (#3) weight yarn that sits between sport and worsted.
Can I crochet with a different weight than a pattern calls for?
You can, but the size, drape and yardage will change. For anything that needs to fit, match the weight and gauge as closely as possible.
Written by
Founder & editor
Akram Afkir runs All About Crochet from Casablanca, Morocco, and is responsible for the patterns, tutorials and guides published on the site.
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