Within ±20% for most standard amigurumi at tight tension. Accuracy increases when you enter measured rounds rather than estimating. Surface-area-based estimates like this one are more reliable than weight-based guesses because stitch geometry is more consistent than yarn density.

Every finished piece uses extra yarn for: starting and ending tails (4–6 cm each), sewing parts together (can use 40–60 cm per join), embroidered facial features, and the natural variation in personal tension versus the calibration values. 15% covers all of these in most cases.

Enter the widest stitch count — the highest number of stitches in any round for that part. For a sphere, this is the maximum before decreasing. For a cylinder, it is the constant stitch count. The calculator adjusts for the shape’s profile automatically.

Run each colour as a separate part. If a sphere head has a white body and brown snout section, enter the snout as a flat circle part and estimate its stitch count separately. Add the results together for each colour’s total yardage.

Yes — the shape estimates work for any crocheted 3D object using similar tension. For tapestry crochet (carrying a second colour), multiply your yarn estimate by 1.8 to account for the float carried on the wrong side.

It is the length of yarn consumed to work 10 single crochet stitches at tight amigurumi tension. It was derived by measuring 100-stitch test swatches in each yarn weight with a hook one size smaller than the label recommendation, then averaging across three yarn brands per weight category.