How to Use the Gauge Calculator
The gauge calculator converts between the gauge printed in a knitting pattern and the gauge you actually get, so you can knit any pattern with any yarn and needles. This tutorial walks through each input and shows a complete worked example.
Both gauges are entered per 4 inches (10 cm) — the standard way patterns list gauge. If your pattern gives gauge over a different measurement, first convert it to a 4-inch equivalent.
Step by Step
- 1
Enter the pattern gauge
Find the gauge information in your pattern, typically written as "22 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches" or similar. Enter these values in the Pattern Gauge section.
- 2
Enter your personal gauge
Knit a gauge swatch using the same yarn and needles you plan to use for your project. Measure how many stitches and rows you get per 4 inches (10 cm) and enter these in the Your Gauge section.
- 3
Select the calculation mode
Choose Stitches to Width if you know how many stitches the pattern calls for and want the width you'll get at your gauge. Choose Width to Stitches if you want to maintain a specific width and need the stitch count for your gauge.
- 4
Choose the direction
Select Horizontal for calculating stitch counts and widths, or Vertical for calculating row counts and heights.
- 5
View and save the results
The Results section shows the adjusted stitch counts, row counts, width, or height based on your gauge. You can copy the results, download them as a PDF, or save them as a preset for future reference.
The two calculation modes
Stitches to Width: use this mode when you know how many stitches your pattern calls for and want to know what width you'll get with your gauge. It answers questions like "the pattern casts on 140 stitches — how wide will that be for me?"
Width to Stitches: use this mode when you want to keep a specific finished measurement and need to know how many stitches to work at your gauge. It answers "I need a 25-inch back panel — how many stitches should I cast on?"
Horizontal vs vertical
The direction setting tells the calculator which half of your gauge to use. Horizontal calculations use stitch gauge and produce stitch counts and widths. Vertical calculations use row gauge and produce row counts and heights. If you're not sure which gauge matters for a given adjustment, see row gauge vs stitch gauge.
Worked example
Suppose your pattern lists a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows per 4 inches, but your swatch measures 20 stitches and 28 rows per 4 inches. The pattern casts on 140 stitches for the back, which at pattern gauge is 25.4 inches wide.
Enter both gauges, choose Width to Stitches and Horizontal, and enter 25.4 inches as the target width. The calculator returns 127 stitches — the cast-on that gives you the same 25.4-inch width at your looser gauge of 20 stitches per 4 inches.
- Pattern gauge: 22 sts × 30 rows = 4 inches
- Your gauge: 20 sts × 28 rows = 4 inches
- Pattern: 140 stitches = 25.4 inches
- Adjusted: 127 stitches = 25.4 inches
Before you calculate
The calculator is only as accurate as the gauge you feed it. Make sure you measure your swatch accurately — washed, blocked, and measured in several places. If you're adjusting a whole garment rather than a single measurement, read how to adjust a knitting pattern for a different gauge for the full process.