Yarn Weight Reference Chart

All 8 CYCA yarn weights with gauge, WPI, needle, hook sizes, common uses, and fiber care guide.

CYCA Yarn Weight Chart

Weight Name CYCA # Common Names WPI Knit Gauge (4") Crochet Gauge (4") Needle (mm) Hook (mm) Common Uses

Fiber Content Reference

FiberCharacteristicsProsConsCare

How to Use This Reference

  • Use the filter box above each table to search by any column value — weight name, fiber, CYCA number, etc.
  • CYCA Numbers are the Craft Yarn Council of America's standardized weight system (0–7). CYCA 0 is the finest; CYCA 7 is the heaviest.
  • WPI (Wraps Per Inch) lets you classify unlabeled yarn — wrap it around a ruler and count the wraps in one inch.
  • Gauge ranges assume stockinette stitch for knitting and single crochet for crochet, over 4 inches with recommended needle/hook size.

About this Yarn Weight Reference

Yarn weight describes the thickness of the strand and is categorized on a standard 0–7 numbered scale, from lace (0) to jumbo (7), each with a typical gauge range and suggested hook or needle size — though brand naming for each category still varies.

Identifying unlabeled yarn

For yarn without a label, wrapping it around a ruler for one inch and counting the wraps (WPI) gives a rough estimate of weight category — lace runs 18+ wraps per inch, worsted around 9, bulky around 7. See the yarn weight guide for the full category breakdown and how regional naming conventions differ.