Yarn Weight Chart: Lace to Jumbo, With US, UK and Australian Names
Every yarn weight from #0 lace to #7 jumbo, with the US, UK and Australian names, recommended hook sizes, gauge ranges and what each weight is best for.
Pattern at a glance
US terms- Skill level
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- Time
- 4 minute read
In this post
Yarn weight is the thickness of the yarn, and it decides almost everything: the hook you use, how big your stitches are, and how much yarn you need. The Craft Yarn Council numbers yarns from #0 (lace) to #7 (jumbo), and that number appears on most yarn labels as a little ball of yarn.
The rest of this post is just below — free, as always.
The yarn weight chart
| Number | US name | UK name | AU / NZ | Usual hook | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #0 | Lace, thread | 1–2 ply | 2 ply | 1.5–2.25 mm | Doilies, lace, fine shawls |
| #1 | Super fine, fingering, sock | 4 ply | 3–4 ply | 2.25–3.5 mm | Socks, baby clothes, fine shawls |
| #2 | Fine, sport, baby | 4 ply / 5 ply | 5 ply | 3.5–4.5 mm | Light garments, baby items |
| #3 | Light, DK, light worsted | DK | 8 ply | 4.5–5.5 mm | Tops, sweaters, amigurumi |
| #4 | Medium, worsted, aran, afghan | Aran | 10 ply | 5.5–6.5 mm | Blankets, hats, scarves, most patterns |
| #5 | Bulky, chunky, craft, rug | Chunky | 12 ply | 6.5–9 mm | Quick hats, cozy blankets |
| #6 | Super bulky, roving | Super chunky | 14 ply + | 9–15 mm | Chunky blankets, fast scarves |
| #7 | Jumbo | Jumbo | — | 15 mm + | Giant blankets, arm-knit look |
The hook ranges are what labels suggest for a normal fabric. Amigurumi uses hooks 1–2 sizes smaller; lacy shawls use bigger hooks. Hook conversions are in our hook size chart.
Worsted vs DK vs aran — the confusing middle
- DK (#3) is noticeably thinner than worsted. Swapping one for the other changes the size of your project a lot.
- Worsted and aran (#4) are usually interchangeable; aran is a touch thicker. Swatch to check.
- US "light worsted" usually means DK.
Find the weight of a mystery yarn: wraps per inch
Wrap the yarn snugly (not stretched) around a pencil for one inch, strands touching but not overlapping, and count the wraps.
| Wraps per inch (approx.) | Weight |
|---|---|
| 18 or more | Fingering or finer |
| 15–18 | Sport |
| 12–14 | DK |
| 9–11 | Worsted / aran |
| 7–8 | Bulky |
| 6 or fewer | Super bulky / jumbo |
Substituting yarn
- Match the weight number first.
- Match the fibre if drape matters (cotton for cotton, wool for wool).
- Match the yardage, not the number of balls — balls vary in length.
- Swatch and check gauge.
Common questions
What is the most common yarn weight?
Worsted (#4). It's the default in most American patterns and the easiest to find in stores.
Is DK the same as 8 ply?
Yes. Australian and New Zealand 8 ply is equivalent to UK and US DK (#3).
Can I hold two strands together to make a thicker yarn?
Yes: two strands of DK roughly equal a worsted/aran, and two strands of worsted roughly equal a bulky. Swatch to confirm.
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