Every yarn weight from 0 to 7, with the yards per gram that identifies it, the names it is sold under, and the hook and needle sizes that suit it. Divide your skein’s length by its weight and read the ratio — the words on the band are not standardised between brands, but the ratio always is.

Yarn weight chart

# Weight Also sold as Yards per gram Per 100 g Knit needle Crochet hook Used for
0 Lace Lace, 2-ply, thread 7.0 – 10.0 700 – 1000 yd 1.5 – 2.25 mm 2.25 – 3.5 mm Doilies, shawls
1 Super fine Sock, fingering, baby 3.6 – 4.6 360 – 460 yd 2.25 – 3.25 mm 2.25 – 3.5 mm Socks, fine amigurumi
2 Fine Sport, baby 2.9 – 3.6 290 – 360 yd 3.25 – 3.75 mm 3.5 – 4.5 mm Baby garments
3 Light DK, light worsted 2.2 – 2.9 220 – 290 yd 3.75 – 4.5 mm 4.5 – 5.5 mm Sweaters, toys
4 Medium Worsted, afghan, Aran 1.6 – 2.2 160 – 220 yd 4.5 – 5.5 mm 5.5 – 6.5 mm Amigurumi, blankets
5 Bulky Chunky, craft, rug 1.0 – 1.6 100 – 160 yd 5.5 – 8.0 mm 6.5 – 9.0 mm Hats, fast blankets
6 Super bulky Super chunky, roving 0.5 – 1.0 50 – 100 yd 8.0 – 12.75 mm 9.0 – 15.0 mm Chunky throws
7 Jumbo Jumbo, roving under 0.5 under 50 yd 12.75 mm+ 15.0 mm+ Arm knitting, giant

How to identify a yarn with no weight on the label

Divide the length by the weight. A 100 g skein with 220 yards is 2.2 yards per gram, which is the top of weight 3, DK. If the label gives metres, multiply by 1.094 first.

That ratio is the only reliable identifier. One brand’s “worsted” is another’s “Aran” and a third’s “medium” — but 1.8 yards per gram is weight 4 everywhere on earth.

The name on the band is not a standard. The numbers 0 to 7 come from the Craft Yarn Council and mean the same thing internationally. The words do not. When substituting yarn, match the yards per gram and ignore the marketing name.

Substituting one yarn for another

Two yarns with the same yards per gram will behave alike in size. They will not behave alike in drape — cotton has almost no give, wool has plenty, acrylic sits between them. So the ratio tells you the stitches will come out the right size; only a swatch tells you whether the fabric will hang the way the pattern intends.

For stuffed toys this matters less, which is why amigurumi tolerates substitution far better than garments do.

Which weight to start with

Weight 4, worsted. A 5.0 mm hook for flat work, 3.25 mm for amigurumi. The stitches are big enough to see what you are doing, it is the weight most patterns are written in, and it is the cheapest yarn to make mistakes in.

Frequently asked questions

What weight is my yarn if the label only gives grams and metres?
Convert metres to yards (×1.094), divide by the grams, and read the ratio against the chart. Over 7 is lace, 2.2–2.9 is DK, 1.6–2.2 is worsted, under 1 is super bulky.
Is DK the same as light worsted?
Both are weight 3 and usually interchangeable, but DK sits at the finer end. Substituting DK into a light-worsted pattern comes out slightly smaller unless you go up a hook size.
What is the difference between worsted and Aran?
Both weight 4. Aran is the heavier end — around 1.6 yards per gram against worsted’s 2.0. Fine for toys, swatch it for garments.
Which yarn weight is best for amigurumi?
Worsted, weight 4, on a 3.25 mm hook. Dense, cheap, and every beginner pattern assumes it.
Why does the same yarn weight give me a different gauge?
Tension is personal and fibre matters. The weight tells you which hook to start with; only a swatch tells you the gauge you will get.

Related free tools

Crochet hook size chart — mm, US and UK conversion ·
Yarn yardage calculator — how much is left on a partial ball ·
Crochet gauge calculator ·
All free craft tools

Every crochet pattern we publish states its yarn weight and yardage, so substituting is one calculation rather than a guess.