Stitch Gauge Calculator
Calculate stitches per measured length.
Stitch Gauge Calculator: Quick Calculation
How Stitch Gauge Calculator Works?
The Stitch Gauge Calculator works by taking the Stitches in 4" (10cm) of your swatch and returning the Calculated Gauge in stitches per inch and per centimetre. The calculator panel returns the stitches needed for a target width as well.
Measure the swatch
Lay the washed swatch flat and count the stitches across 4 in (10 cm), including half stitches.
Enter the count
Type the count into Sample Stitches, or tap it in on the main display.
Enter a width
Type a target width in inches into the second calculator box.
Read the result
The panel shows the stitches needed and the gauge per inch.
Stitch Gauge Calculator Formula
The Stitch Gauge Calculator formula is stitches per inch = stitches in 4 in ÷ 4, and stitches per cm = stitches in 10 cm ÷ 10.
- Per inch
g = S ÷ 4S is the stitches in 4 in.
- Per cm
g_cm = S ÷ 10S is the stitches in 10 cm, which is about the same span as 4 in.
- Stitches for a width
Stitches = width × gRound to the stitch multiple of the pattern.
Worked example: Eighteen stitches over 4 in gives 4.5 stitches per inch (1.8 per cm). A 36 in (91.4 cm) chest needs 36 × 4.5 = 162 stitches.
Stitch Gauge Calculator Conversion Table
The Stitch Gauge Calculator conversion table converts stitches per 4 in into gauge and stitches for 3 widths.
| Sts / 4 in | Sts / in | Sts / cm | 10 in (25.4 cm) | 20 in (50.8 cm) | 40 in (101.6 cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 3 | 1.18 | 30 | 60 | 120 |
| 14 | 3.5 | 1.38 | 35 | 70 | 140 |
| 16 | 4 | 1.57 | 40 | 80 | 160 |
| 18 | 4.5 | 1.77 | 45 | 90 | 180 |
| 20 | 5 | 1.97 | 50 | 100 | 200 |
| 22 | 5.5 | 2.17 | 55 | 110 | 220 |
| 24 | 6 | 2.36 | 60 | 120 | 240 |
| 28 | 7 | 2.76 | 70 | 140 | 280 |
| 32 | 8 | 3.15 | 80 | 160 | 320 |
Four inches is 10.16 cm, so per-cm values here use the exact span.
What is Stitch Gauge Calculator?
A Stitch Gauge Calculator is a tool that converts the stitches in a measured swatch into stitches per inch and per centimetre. Stitch gauge sets the width of everything you make.
Small gauge errors grow across a garment. Half a stitch per inch over a 40 in chest is 20 stitches, about 4 in (10 cm) of width.
The Stitches Counter calculator shows the gauge and the stitches for a width on one panel.
What are the uses of Stitch Gauge Calculator?
There are 4 main uses of the Stitch Gauge Calculator, including pattern checks, cast-on planning and yarn swaps.
Pattern checks
Compare your gauge with the pattern's.
Cast-on planning
Turn a width into a cast-on number.
Yarn swaps
Check a substitute yarn's gauge.
Resizing
Find stitches for a new size.
About the Stitch Gauge Calculator
Input your measured stitch count across 4 inches (10 cm) or 2 inches (5 cm) to calculate exact per-inch and per-cm stitch density.
How to Use This Tool Efficiently
- ✓Measure horizontally across multiple central stitches with a rigid ruler.
- ✓Even half a stitch difference across 4 inches can alter a sweater chest by 2 to 4 inches.
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