Knitting Needle Size Chart
Complete knitting needle size conversion chart showing US, Metric (mm), and UK/Canadian sizes with recommended yarn weights. Print-friendly reference for quick lookup at your craft table.
| US Size | Metric (mm) | UK / Canadian | Recommended Yarn Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2 | 14 | Lace |
| 1 | 2.25 | 13 | Lace / Fingering |
| 1.5 | 2.5 | - | Fingering |
| 2 | 2.75 | 12 | Fingering |
| 3 | 3 | 11 | Fingering / Sport |
| 4 | 3.25 | 10 | Sport |
| 5 | 3.5 | 9 | Sport / DK |
| 6 | 3.75 | - | DK |
| 7 | 4 | 8 | DK / Worsted |
| 7 | 4.5 | 7 | Worsted |
| 8 | 5 | 6 | Worsted |
| 9 | 5.5 | 5 | Worsted / Aran |
| 10 | 6 | 4 | Aran |
| 10.5 | 6.5 | 3 | Aran / Chunky |
| 10.75 | 7 | 2 | Chunky |
| 11 | 8 | 0 | Bulky |
| 13 | 9 | 00 | Bulky |
| 15 | 10 | 000 | Super Bulky |
| 17 | 12 | - | Super Bulky |
| 19 | 15 | - | Jumbo |
| 35 | 19 | - | Jumbo |
| 50 | 25 | - | Jumbo |
How to Read This Chart
Find your pattern’s recommended needle size in any system (US, Metric, or UK) and look across the row to see the equivalent in other systems. The metric (mm)measurement is the actual diameter of the needle and is the most universal standard. When in doubt, match by millimeters. The yarn weight column suggests the most common yarn type used with each needle size, but always check your pattern and gauge swatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size knitting needles should a beginner use?
Beginners should start with US size 8 (5.0 mm) needles. They are a comfortable middle size that works well with worsted weight yarn, the most common and easiest yarn weight to work with.
How do I convert US knitting needle sizes to metric?
US knitting needle sizes correspond to specific metric (mm) measurements. For example, US 7 = 4.5 mm, US 8 = 5.0 mm, and US 10 = 6.0 mm. Use the chart above for all conversions.
Are UK and US knitting needle sizes the same?
No. UK and US knitting needle sizes use different numbering systems. UK sizes run in reverse compared to US sizes — a larger UK number means a smaller needle. For instance, US 8 (5.0 mm) is UK 6.
What yarn weight goes with each needle size?
Lace yarn works best with US 0–1 (2.0–2.25 mm), fingering/sport with US 2–5, DK/worsted with US 6–9, aran/bulky with US 10–11, and super bulky/jumbo with US 13 and above. Always check the yarn label for recommendations.