Yarn Weight Calculator
Knitting and crochet patterns specify yarn by length, but yarn is sold by weight, so converting between the two is a common need. Using the yards and grams printed on the skein band, this calculator finds the yards-per-gram for your specific yarn, then converts any total weight to yardage and meters. It also tells you how many whole skeins a project of a given yardage requires. Because yarn density varies by fiber, the label figures are user inputs, making the result exact for the yarn in your hands.
Yarn weight formula
Yards per gram = yards per skein / grams per skein
Total yards = total weight (grams) x yards per gram
Total meters = total yards x 0.9144
Skeins to buy = round up (project yardage / yards per skein)
The conversion uses your skein's own yards-per-gram, so it is exact for that yarn. One yard equals exactly 0.9144 meters by the international definition, with no estimation.
Yarn context
- Yards-per-gram differs by fiber and weight category, so the label values are essential.
- The Craft Yarn Council defines weight categories 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo).
- One yard is exactly 0.9144 meters; one gram is about 0.0353 ounces.
- Buy from a single dye lot to avoid subtle color shifts mid-project.
- Always round up to whole skeins and keep a little extra for finishing.
Yarn weight: frequently asked questions
How do I convert yarn weight to yardage?
Read the yards and grams printed on the skein label, which gives the yarn's yards-per-gram. Multiply your total yarn weight in grams by that ratio to get total yards. For example, a 100 gram skein of 220 yards is 2.2 yards per gram; 250 grams of the same yarn is 250 x 2.2 = 550 yards.
Why do I enter the yards and grams from the label?
Yarn density varies enormously by fiber and weight category, so there is no universal yards-per-gram figure. The yardage and weight of one skein are printed on the band, so the calculator uses your label values. That makes the conversion exact for your specific yarn rather than relying on a guessed average.
How many skeins do I need for a project?
Divide the total yardage your pattern calls for by the yards in one skein, then round up. This calculator does that and shows whole skeins to buy. Buying a little extra from the same dye lot guards against running short, because later dye lots can differ slightly in color.
How do I convert yards to meters?
One yard equals exactly 0.9144 meters by international definition. This calculator multiplies your total yards by 0.9144 to give meters, and grams by 0.03527396 to give ounces, so you can match patterns written in either system.
What are the standard yarn weight categories?
The Craft Yarn Council defines categories from 0 (lace) through 7 (jumbo), based on the typical gauge and recommended needle or hook size. The category guides which pattern a yarn suits, while the yards and grams on the label give the precise quantity. Use the label figures here for an accurate count.
Official sources
- U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology: Unit conversion (yard to meter).
- U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology: Office of Weights and Measures (mass units).
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 16 June 2026. See our methodology.