Plan a knitted or crocheted blanket from the size you want. Choose a standard blanket size or your own, enter your swatch gauge, and get the stitches to cast on or chains to make, the rows to work and roughly how much yarn to buy.
Last updated:
Blanket
Worked separately after the main panel; 0 if none.
Gauge and stitch
Craft
Per 4 in (10 cm) if using cm.
Per 4 in (10 cm) if using cm.
Stitch pattern repeat, e.g. 4 for a multiple of 4.
Extra stitches, e.g. 2 for a multiple of 4 + 2.
Yarn
yd
%
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Blanket Size Calculator
Choose the blanket type or enter a custom width and length.
Pick knit or crochet and enter the stitches and rows in your 4 in (10 cm) swatch.
Add your pattern multiple if the stitch pattern needs one, and a border width if you will add one later.
Select the yarn weight and yards per skein, then press Calculate blanket.
Use the cast-on or chain count and rows, and buy the skeins shown plus the safety margin.
Typical blanket sizes
Blanket sizes vary between designers and countries. These common sizes are good starting points; bed blankets are sized to cover the mattress top with some drop over the sides.
Blanket
Inches
Centimeters
Lovey / security blanket
12 × 12 in
30 × 30 cm
Stroller / car seat
30 × 35 in
76 × 89 cm
Baby receiving
40 × 40 in
102 × 102 cm
Crib
45 × 60 in
114 × 152 cm
Toddler
42 × 52 in
107 × 132 cm
Lapghan
36 × 48 in
91 × 122 cm
Throw
50 × 60 in
127 × 152 cm
Twin bed
66 × 90 in
168 × 229 cm
Full / double bed
80 × 90 in
203 × 229 cm
Queen bed
90 × 100 in
229 × 254 cm
King bed
108 × 100 in
274 × 254 cm
How the numbers are calculated
Stitches per inch = stitches in the swatch ÷ 4 (or ÷ 3.94 for a 10 cm swatch). Cast on = width × stitches per inch, rounded to your pattern multiple.
Rows = length × rows per inch. For crochet the foundation chain adds the turning chain to the stitch count.
Example: a 50 × 60 in throw at 18 sts and 24 rows per 4 in is 4.5 sts and 6 rows per inch, so cast on 50 × 4.5 = 225 stitches and work 60 × 6 = 360 rows.
The yarn estimate uses about 0.57 yd of worsted yarn per square inch of knitting (3,000 sq in × 0.57 ≈ 1,710 yd), adjusted for yarn weight, crochet and a safety margin.
Tips for a blanket that ends up the right size
Swatch at least 6 × 6 in in the actual stitch pattern and measure the centre 4 in.
Blankets grow: heavy pieces stretch lengthwise when hung, so stop a little short if your yarn is drapey.
Borders add size: if you plan a 2 in border, enter it so the main panel is cast on smaller.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a throw blanket?
A throw is usually about 50 × 60 inches (127 × 152 cm), big enough to cover one adult on a sofa. Lapghans are smaller, around 36 × 48 inches. Sizes are not standardised, so treat the presets as typical starting points and adjust them to your bed or sofa.
What size should a baby blanket be?
Receiving blankets are often about 40 × 40 inches, stroller or car seat blankets about 30 × 35 inches and crib blankets about 45 × 60 inches. A lovey or security blanket is a small square of around 12 inches.
How many stitches do I cast on for a blanket?
Multiply the width in inches by your gauge in stitches per inch. With 18 stitches per 4 inches (4.5 per inch) a 50 inch throw needs 50 × 4.5 = 225 stitches. If the stitch pattern works over a multiple, round to the nearest multiple plus any extra stitches.
How many chains do I need for a crochet blanket?
Work out the stitches across from your gauge, then add the turning chain: 1 for single crochet, 2 for half double, 3 for double and 4 for treble. For 100 double crochet stitches across, chain 103 and start in the fourth chain from the hook.
How much yarn does a blanket take?
A knitted throw in worsted weight typically takes around 1,700 to 2,000 yards, and crochet uses about 30% more yarn than knitting for the same area. The calculator scales by area and yarn weight and adds a safety margin; heavily textured stitches can need much more.
Why measure gauge from a washed swatch?
Many yarns relax, bloom or shrink when washed, which changes the number of stitches per inch. Measuring a swatch that has been washed and dried the way you will treat the blanket gives a much more accurate size.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.