Yarn · weight categories
Yarn weight conversion chart.
The Craft Yarn Council Standard Yarn Weight System, categories 0 to 7. To work out how much yarn a different weight needs, use the yarn yardage calculator.
Categories 0 to 7
| No. | Category | Yarns in category | Knit gauge, sts per 4 in | Needle, mm | Needle, US | Crochet gauge, sc sts per 4 in | Hook, mm | Hook, US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | Fingering, 10-count crochet thread | 33-40 | 1.5-2.25 | 000 to 1 | 32-42 dc | 1.4-2.25 | Steel 6, 7, 8; regular hook B-1 |
| 1 | Super Fine | Sock, Fingering, Baby | 27-32 | 2.25-3.25 | 1 to 3 | 21-32 | 2.25-3.5 | B-1 to E-4 |
| 2 | Fine | Sport, Baby | 23-26 | 3.25-3.75 | 3 to 5 | 16-20 | 3.5-4.5 | E-4 to 7 |
| 3 | Light | DK, Light Worsted | 21-24 | 3.75-4.5 | 5 to 7 | 12-17 | 4.5-5.5 | 7 to I-9 |
| 4 | Medium | Worsted, Afghan, Aran | 16-20 | 4.5-5.5 | 7 to 9 | 11-14 | 5.5-6.5 | I-9 to K-10 1/2 |
| 5 | Bulky | Chunky, Craft, Rug | 12-15 | 5.5-8 | 9 to 11 | 8-11 | 6.5-9 | K-10 1/2 to M-13 |
| 6 | Super Bulky | Super Bulky, Roving | 7-11 | 8-12.75 | 11 to 17 | 7-9 | 9-15 | M-13 to Q |
| 7 | Jumbo | Jumbo, Roving | 6 or fewer | 12.75 and larger | 17 and larger | 6 or fewer | 15 and larger | Q and larger |
Guidelines only, per the CYC. Lace weight is usually worked on larger needles and hooks for openwork, so a gauge range is difficult to determine; follow the pattern gauge. Steel hooks run in the opposite direction: the higher the number, the smaller the hook. The CYC system uses these US category names. UK and Australian "ply" names (for example 4 ply, 8 ply) are not defined by the CYC and differ between makers, so no ply conversion is given; check the label gauge instead. Source: Craft Yarn Council, Standard Yarn Weight System, read 2026-10-02. Also see the needle chart and hook chart.
Frequently asked questions
What yarn weight is worsted?
Worsted (also afghan and aran) is category 4, Medium, on the Craft Yarn Council system: 16 to 20 stitches per 4 inches in stockinette on 4.5 to 5.5 mm (US 7 to 9) needles.
What is DK weight yarn?
DK (double knitting) or light worsted is category 3, Light: 21 to 24 stitches per 4 inches in stockinette on 3.75 to 4.5 mm (US 5 to 7) needles.
What is the difference between fingering and sport weight?
Fingering (sock, baby) is category 1, Super Fine, at 27 to 32 stitches per 4 inches. Sport is category 2, Fine, at 23 to 26 stitches. Fingering is the thinner of the two.
Can I swap yarn weights in a pattern?
You can, but you must re-check gauge and yardage. Use the swap mode of the yarn yardage calculator for an estimate of how many yards the substitute needs, and swatch first.