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Knitting & crochet · All levelsYarn weight chart with needle and hook sizes
Yarn weight is how thick a yarn is, numbered 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo) by the Craft Yarn Council. The most common weights are 3 (DK, light worsted), 4 (worsted, aran) and 5 (bulky, chunky). The label gives the weight and a suggested needle or hook size; use that as a starting point and check your gauge.
The chart
| No. | Category | Also called | Knit gauge (sts per 10 cm / 4 in) | Needles | Crochet hook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | lace, fingering 10-count thread | 33–40 | 1.5–2.25 mm | steel hooks to 2.25 mm |
| 1 | Super fine | sock, fingering, baby, UK 4-ply | 27–32 | 2.25–3.25 mm | 2.25–3.5 mm |
| 2 | Fine | sport, baby, 5-ply | 23–26 | 3.25–3.75 mm | 3.5–4.5 mm |
| 3 | Light | DK, light worsted, AU/NZ 8-ply | 21–24 | 3.75–4.5 mm | 4.5–5.5 mm |
| 4 | Medium | worsted, aran, afghan, 10-ply | 16–20 | 4.5–5.5 mm | 5.5–6.5 mm |
| 5 | Bulky | chunky, craft, rug, 12-ply | 12–15 | 5.5–8 mm | 6.5–9 mm |
| 6 | Super bulky | super chunky, roving | 7–11 | 8–12.75 mm | 9–15 mm |
| 7 | Jumbo | jumbo, roving | 6 and fewer | 12.75 mm and larger | 15 mm and larger |
Ranges follow the Craft Yarn Council’s standard. Names such as aran and worsted overlap between brands, so the gauge on the label is the more reliable guide.
Substituting a yarn
- Match the weight category first, then the gauge on the label.
- Match the fibre where drape matters: cotton is heavier and less stretchy than wool.
- Buy by length, not by weight: 100 g of cotton is far fewer metres than 100 g of mohair.
- Knit or crochet a swatch before you commit. See how to make a gauge swatch.
Common questions
Is DK the same as worsted?
No. DK (weight 3) is a little thinner than worsted (weight 4). You can sometimes swap them by changing needle or hook size, but always knit a gauge swatch first.
What yarn weight is best for beginners?
Weight 4 (worsted or aran) in a smooth, light-coloured yarn. It is thick enough to see each stitch and works up quickly with a 5 mm hook or 4.5 to 5 mm needles.
What does "ply" mean on a yarn label?
Ply is the number of strands twisted together. In the UK, Australia and New Zealand it is also used as a weight name (4-ply, 8-ply), but the number of strands does not always match the thickness.
Updated 5 November 2026.