Granny square sizes and yardage
How big a classic granny square gets round by round, and how much yarn each square takes, in the four most popular yarn weights.
Updated
Size by round
Typical size of a classic granny square (3 dc clusters with chain spaces) after each round, using the hook size on the ball band.
| Round | DK | Worsted | Aran | Bulky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1.25 in / 3.3 cm | 1.5 in / 4.1 cm | 1.75 in / 4.4 cm | 2 in / 5.3 cm |
| 2 | 2.25 in / 5.6 cm | 2.75 in / 6.9 cm | 3 in / 7.4 cm | 3.5 in / 8.9 cm |
| 3 | 3 in / 7.9 cm | 3.75 in / 9.7 cm | 4 in / 10.4 cm | 5 in / 12.5 cm |
| 4 | 4 in / 10.2 cm | 5 in / 12.4 cm | 5.25 in / 13.4 cm | 6.25 in / 16.2 cm |
| 5 | 5 in / 12.5 cm | 6 in / 15.2 cm | 6.5 in / 16.5 cm | 7.75 in / 19.8 cm |
| 6 | 5.75 in / 14.8 cm | 7 in / 18 cm | 7.75 in / 19.5 cm | 9.25 in / 23.4 cm |
| 7 | 6.75 in / 17.1 cm | 8.25 in / 20.8 cm | 8.75 in / 22.5 cm | 10.75 in / 27.1 cm |
| 8 | 7.75 in / 19.4 cm | 9.25 in / 23.6 cm | 10 in / 25.5 cm | 12 in / 30.7 cm |
| 9 | 8.5 in / 21.7 cm | 10.5 in / 26.4 cm | 11.25 in / 28.5 cm | 13.5 in / 34.3 cm |
| 10 | 9.5 in / 24 cm | 11.5 in / 29.2 cm | 12.5 in / 31.5 cm | 15 in / 38 cm |
| 11 | 10.25 in / 26.2 cm | 12.5 in / 32 cm | 13.5 in / 34.6 cm | 16.5 in / 41.6 cm |
| 12 | 11.25 in / 28.5 cm | 13.75 in / 34.8 cm | 14.75 in / 37.6 cm | 17.75 in / 45.2 cm |
Yarn per square
Approximate yards for one square; solid squares (no chain spaces) in brackets.
| Square | DK | Worsted | Aran | Bulky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 in / 10 cm | 15 yd (20) | 10 yd (20) | 10 yd (15) | 5 yd (10) |
| 5 in / 13 cm | 20 yd (35) | 15 yd (30) | 15 yd (25) | 10 yd (20) |
| 6 in / 15 cm | 30 yd (45) | 25 yd (40) | 20 yd (35) | 15 yd (25) |
| 7 in / 18 cm | 40 yd (65) | 35 yd (55) | 30 yd (50) | 20 yd (35) |
| 8 in / 20 cm | 50 yd (85) | 45 yd (70) | 40 yd (65) | 30 yd (50) |
| 10 in / 25 cm | 80 yd (130) | 70 yd (115) | 60 yd (100) | 45 yd (75) |
| 12 in / 30 cm | 115 yd (190) | 95 yd (160) | 85 yd (145) | 65 yd (110) |
Measuring your own square
- Make three or four rounds in the yarn and hook you'll use for the blanket.
- Block it lightly: pin it square, mist with water and let it dry. Granny squares often grow a little.
- Measure side to side through the middle, not corner to corner.
- Weigh it on kitchen scales. Grams × (yards per gram from the ball band) = yards per square.
Once you know your square size, the granny square blanket planner works out how many you need and how much yarn, including joins and a border.
Common questions
How big is a granny square?
A classic granny square grows about 1 in (2.5 cm) per round in worsted yarn: roughly 5 in after 4 rounds, 6 in after 5 and 8.25 in after 7. DK squares are about a fifth smaller, bulky a third bigger.
How much yarn is in one granny square?
A 6 in (15 cm) classic granny square in worsted takes about 25 yards; a solid 6 in square about 40. Weigh your first square and use the yards per gram on the ball band for your own figure.
What size granny square is best for a blanket?
Most blankets use 4–8 in (10–20 cm) squares. Smaller squares mean more joining and more ends but a finer pattern; 6 in is a popular middle ground. Giant single granny squares work too: just keep going round until it’s big enough.
Why are my granny squares different sizes?
Tension changes as you relax into a project, and different colours of the same yarn can vary. Block every square to the same size before joining, and make them all with the same hook.