Yarn is graded by weight on a standard scale from 0 (lace) to 7 (jumbo). This chart maps each weight to its common name, knit gauge, and needle size.
| Weight | Name | Knit gauge (st/4 in) | Needle (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Lace | 33 to 40 | 000 to 1 |
| 1 | Super Fine (fingering, sock) | 27 to 32 | 1 to 3 |
| 2 | Fine (sport) | 23 to 26 | 3 to 5 |
| 3 | Light (DK) | 21 to 24 | 5 to 7 |
| 4 | Medium (worsted, aran) | 16 to 20 | 7 to 9 |
| 5 | Bulky | 12 to 15 | 9 to 11 |
| 6 | Super Bulky | 7 to 11 | 11 to 17 |
| 7 | Jumbo | 6 or fewer | 17 and up |
A guide, not a rule. These are the Craft Yarn Council standard ranges. Always check your own gauge swatch, since fiber and brand shift the numbers.
See the Yarn Weight Comparison and the Choosing the Right Yarn.