Knitting needle size and yarn weight converter

Choose the category on your yarn label to see published needle ranges. A needle size by itself does not determine gauge.

Start with the yarn weight

Choose a CYC category for its published needle range. A needle size alone does not determine gauge; check the yarn label and your pattern.

Yarn weight Category 0 — Lace: US 000–1; 1.5–2.25 mm.

Already have a pattern? Compare its needle and yarn guidance with the beginner chart.

Complete Craft Yarn Council crosswalk

Craft Yarn Council category, common yarn name, recommended needles and gauge guideline
CYC category	Common name	US needle	Metric needle	Stitches per 4 in
0 — Lace	Lace	000–1	1.5–2.25 mm	33–40
1 — Super Fine	Fingering, sock	1–3	2.25–3.25 mm	27–32
2 — Fine	Sport	3–5	3.25–3.75 mm	23–26
3 — Light	DK	5–7	3.75–4.5 mm	21–24
4 — Medium	Worsted, aran	7–9	4.5–5.5 mm	16–20
5 — Bulky	Chunky	9–11	5.5–8 mm	12–15
6 — Super Bulky	Super chunky	11–17	8–12.75 mm	7–11
7 — Jumbo	Jumbo	17 and up	12.75 mm and up	6 or fewer

Overlap method and finding

We compared adjacent CYC gauge intervals as inclusive ranges. Fine (23–26) and Light (21–24) share 23–24 stitches per 4 inches. At 24 stitches per 4 inches, both categories match; their shared recommended needle endpoint is 3.75 mm (US 5). Other adjacent gauge intervals do not overlap.

Source and limitations

The Craft Yarn Council Yarn Weight System notice says the updated system includes Size 8, Blocking and Plus Symbols. Source: Craft Yarn Council's www.YarnStandards.com Source checked September 28, 2026. This is analysis of published guidelines, not measured knitter outcomes. Follow the pattern gauge; yarn fiber and personal tension matter.

Use the knitting gauge calculator or return to the beginner needle chart and buying guide.