Convert Yarn Weights Across Common Labeling Systems
Use this free yarn weight converter to compare US names like DK, worsted, and bulky with the closest UK or Australia ply naming, plus the typical gauge and hook or needle range.
Yarn Weight Converter
Convert common yarn weight labels into the closest US and UK/Australia equivalents, then use the typical gauge and hook or needle ranges as a shopping and planning reference.
Results
US Name
DK
UK / AU Name
8 ply
Common Names
Double knitting, light DK
Wraps per Inch
11 WPI
Typical Knitting Gauge
21-24 sts / 10cm
Typical Needle Size
3.75-4.5 mm needles
Typical Crochet Hook
4-4.5 mm hook
Yarn weight naming is approximate, not perfectly standardized. Always check the label gauge and knit or crochet a swatch before starting a real project.
Ready for the full pattern?
Once you know the yarn weight range you want, move into the full generator and build the actual chart with a more realistic project setup.
Yarn Weight Chart — Lace Through Jumbo
Yarn weight is the standardized measure of yarn thickness. The Craft Yarn Council scale runs 0 (lace) through 7 (jumbo), with each step corresponding to a typical gauge range, recommended needle/hook size, and wraps-per-inch (WPI) range. Labels in the US almost always list the symbol; UK and Australian labels often use ply naming instead.
Reference chart: 0 Lace (≥35 WPI, 1.5–2.25mm needles), 1 Super Fine / Fingering / 4 ply (19–22 WPI, 2.25–3.25mm), 2 Fine / Sport (15–18 WPI, 3.25–3.75mm), 3 Light / DK / 8 ply (12–14 WPI, 3.75–4.5mm), 4 Medium / Worsted / 10 ply (9–11 WPI, 4.5–5.5mm), 5 Bulky / Chunky / 12 ply (7–8 WPI, 5.5–8mm), 6 Super Bulky (5–6 WPI, 8–12.75mm), 7 Jumbo (<5 WPI, 12.75mm+).
Use this yarn weight chart before you buy yarn, before you substitute yarn in a pattern, and before you start a swatch for a chart-based project. The converter above also cross-references US, UK, and Australian naming in one place.
How to Measure Yarn Weight with WPI (Wraps Per Inch)
If a label is missing or in a language you cannot read, wraps per inch (WPI) is the most reliable way to measure yarn weight at home. Wrap the yarn around a ruler for one inch without stretching, count the wraps, and compare to the chart.
WPI reference: 35+ = lace, 19–22 = fingering / 4 ply, 15–18 = sport, 12–14 = DK / 8 ply, 9–11 = worsted / 10 ply, 7–8 = aran to bulky, 5–6 = super bulky, under 5 = jumbo. A WPI tool — a notched wooden stick or metal gauge — makes the count easier, but a plain ruler works.
WPI is approximate. Fiber content, twist, and construction change how a yarn behaves even at the same WPI. For a critical substitution (garments, gauge-sensitive patterns), knit or crochet a 10cm swatch and compare your gauge to the label range. For stash-dive projects, WPI plus a swatch is enough.
Yarn Weight FAQ
Related Tools and Pages
WPI Calculator
Wrap yarn around a ruler, count the wraps, get the matching yarn weight category, gauge, and recommended hook/needle size in one click.
How to Find Yarn Weight
Detailed guide: reading labels, measuring WPI, pulling the skein end, and identifying yarn when the label is missing.
Yarn Substitution Calculator
Find equivalent yarns for any pattern by matching meterage, weight, and fiber content.
Crochet Yarn Calculator
Estimate total yarn and skeins once you know the chart size and stitch type.
Knitting Gauge Calculator
Convert chart dimensions into finished size using your real stitch and row gauge.
Crochet Hook Size Chart
US, UK, and metric hook sizes with typical yarn weight pairings.
Knitting Needle Size Chart
US, UK, and metric needle sizes with typical yarn weight pairings.