Knitting gauge conversion calculator
At your gauge those stitches measure 34.55 in, where the pattern means 38.00 in. To get the pattern's size, work 209 stitches there, or follow the size the pattern lists as 41.80 in.
Result
Size at your gauge
in
Size the pattern means
in
Difference
in
Your size as a share of the pattern's
%
Stitches for the pattern's size at your gauge
Pattern size to follow instead
in
- You have more stitches to the inch than the pattern, so the piece comes out smaller.
How it works
When my gauge is different from the pattern, every stitch count in it makes a different size. The tool divides the pattern's stitch count by both gauges, which answers what size will my sweater be at my gauge. It then gives two ways out. For a simple shape, use the adjusted stitch count. For a sized garment, knitting a pattern at a different gauge usually means following another size: the tool tells you which size to knit when gauge is off, as the finished measurement to look for in the pattern's size list. Enter a count from the widest plain part, such as the body stitches at the chest.
Formula
size = stitches ÷ stitches per inch. Size at the pattern's gauge = pattern stitches ÷ pattern gauge; size at your gauge = the same stitches ÷ your gauge. Size you get as a share of the pattern's = pattern gauge ÷ your gauge. Stitches for the pattern's size at your gauge = pattern stitches × your gauge ÷ pattern gauge. Size to follow instead = the size you want × your gauge ÷ pattern gauge.
Worked example
The calculator opens with this example; the result above is computed from it.
| Input | Value |
|---|---|
| Pattern gauge: stitches | 20 |
| Your gauge: stitches | 22 |
| Both counted over | 4 in |
| Stitches in the pattern | 190 |
| Size at your gauge | 34.55 in |
| Size the pattern means | 38.00 in |
| Difference | 3.45 in |
| Your size as a share of the pattern's | 90.9 % |
| Stitches for the pattern's size at your gauge | 209 |
| Pattern size to follow instead | 41.80 in |
Common cases
| Case | Starting values | Size at your gauge | Size the pattern means | Difference | Your size as a share of the pattern's | Stitches for the pattern's size at your gauge | Pattern size to follow instead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vest knit two stitches tighter | Pattern gauge: stitches 20; Your gauge: stitches 22; Both counted over 4 in; Stitches in the pattern 190 | 34.55 in | 38.00 in | 3.45 in | 90.9 % | 209 | 41.80 in |
| Sweater body one stitch looser | Pattern gauge: stitches 20; Your gauge: stitches 19; Both counted over 4 in; Stitches in the pattern 200 | 42.11 in | 40.00 in | 2.11 in | 105.3 % | 190 | 38.00 in |
| Hat in a thicker yarn | Pattern gauge: stitches 18; Your gauge: stitches 16; Both counted over 4 in; Stitches in the pattern 80 | 20.00 in | 17.78 in | 2.22 in | 112.5 % | 71 | 15.80 in |
| Socks knit a little looser | Pattern gauge: stitches 32; Your gauge: stitches 30; Both counted over 4 in; Stitches in the pattern 64 | 8.53 in | 8.00 in | 0.53 in | 106.7 % | 60 | 7.50 in |
Questions and answers
What size will my sweater be if my gauge is different from the pattern?
A pattern written for 20 stitches over 4 in makes 38.00 in from 190 stitches. At 22 stitches the same count measures 34.55 in. To end up with the size you wanted, follow the size the pattern lists as 41.80 in.
How much does one stitch of gauge change a sweater?
With 19 stitches over 4 in where the pattern has 20, a body of 200 stitches measures 42.11 in against the intended 40.00 in: a difference of 2.11 in.
Assumptions and limits
- Both gauges must be counted over the same width and in the same stitch pattern.
- Rows work the same way: enter row gauges and a row count. Lengths a pattern gives in inches need no change.
- The size is the size of the knitting, not of the body. Keep the ease the pattern intends.
- A very different gauge also changes the fabric: tighter is stiffer, looser drapes more. Changing needle size until the gauge matches is the other fix.
The result is an estimate for planning, not professional advice.
Sources
- KT's Slow Closet, Karen Templer: How to account for gauge differences (the gauge ratio and stitches divided by stitches per inch)retrieved 2026-10-13
- Deborah Robson: Some thoughts about gauge and swatching with regard to sweaters (chart of 200 stitches at each gauge)retrieved 2026-10-13
- Knitty, Stefanie Japel: Five easy steps to great-fitting knits (bust times stitches per inch)retrieved 2026-10-13
Last updated:
Method in depth: Gauge, stitch counts and finished size
Cite this page: Knit Math, “Knitting gauge conversion calculator”, https://knit-math.pages.dev/gauge-and-yarn/knitting-gauge-conversion-calculator/ (updated 13 October 2026).
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