Reference chart
Yarn weight conversion chart: US, UK and Australian names
A yarn weight conversion chart translates yarn names between countries using the Craft Yarn Council 0–7 system. US worsted is category 4 and roughly UK aran or Australian 10 ply. US DK and light worsted are category 3, UK DK and Australian 8 ply. US sport is category 2, roughly UK 4 ply.
By the crochetpatterns.io editorial team · Reviewed · Editorial policy
| Category | US name | UK name | AU / NZ name | Crochet gauge (sc per 4 in) | Hook (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 Lace | Lace, thread | 1–2 ply | 1–3 ply | 32–42 dc | 1.4–2.25 |
| 1 Super fine | Fingering, sock | 3–4 ply | 4 ply | 21–32 | 2.25–3.5 |
| 2 Fine | Sport, baby | 4–5 ply | 5 ply | 16–20 | 3.5–4.5 |
| 3 Light | DK, light worsted | DK | 8 ply | 12–17 | 4.5–5.5 |
| 4 Medium | Worsted, afghan, aran | Aran | 10 ply | 11–14 | 5.5–6.5 |
| 5 Bulky | Chunky, craft, rug | Chunky | 12 ply | 8–11 | 6.5–9 |
| 6 Super bulky | Super chunky, roving | Super chunky | 14 ply | 7–9 | 9–15 |
| 7 Jumbo | Jumbo, roving | Ultra chunky, jumbo | 16 ply and thicker | 6 or fewer | 15 and larger |
Is worsted yarn the same as aran?
Worsted and aran yarn are both category 4 medium yarns, but aran is often slightly thicker than US worsted. Swatch before substituting one for the other in a fitted garment.
What does ply mean on yarn labels?
Ply on UK and Australian yarn labels is a traditional thickness name, not a reliable count of twisted strands. An 8 ply yarn is DK weight regardless of how many strands it contains.
How do you substitute yarn from another country?
Substitute yarn from another country by matching yardage per weight and gauge rather than the label name.
- Divide the original yarn's yards by its grams, then multiply by 100 to get yards per 100 g.
- Find a replacement within about 10 percent of that yards-per-100 g figure.
- Crochet a 4 inch swatch and confirm it matches the pattern gauge.
Source and method: Categories, gauge and hook ranges follow the Craft Yarn Council Standard Yarn Weight System. Country names are approximate equivalents; ply names do not describe strand count in modern yarn, so compare yards per 100 g and recommended gauge before substituting.
Frequently asked questions
What is DK yarn in US terms?
DK yarn is category 3 light yarn in the US system, similar to light worsted.
What is 8 ply yarn in the US?
Australian 8 ply is category 3, equivalent to US DK or light worsted.
Is chunky yarn the same as bulky?
Yes. Chunky and bulky both describe category 5 yarn.