Crochet Chain Calculator
16 stitches over 10 cm is 1.6 per centimetre, so a 100 cm blanket is 160 stitches. The chain is those stitches plus the turning chain: 3 for double crochet, 2 for half double, 1 for single, which makes 163 chains here. The turning chain either stands in for the first stitch or just buys height, so it never counts towards the width.
Your numbers
Chain stitches
163sts
Stitches
160sts
Finished width
100cm
Formula
Chain stitches = Stitches per 10 cm × Finished width ÷ 10 + Turning chain
A chain is smaller than the stitch worked into it, so the same hands chain tighter than they crochet. Those 163 chains can measure right on the ruler and still pull the bottom edge in once the first row goes on. Chain with a hook one size up, or skip the chain entirely and use a foundation row (fdc). If the pattern repeats over a set number of stitches, round the 160 to that multiple first and add the turning chain afterwards.
What to enter
| Input | Default | Accepted range |
|---|---|---|
| Stitches per 10 cm (sts/10 cm)Stitches in 10 cm. If you measured over 5 cm, double it before entering. | 16 | 1 and up |
| Finished width (cm)The width when finished, before any seam or fold allowance. | 100 | 1 and up |
| Turning chain (sts)Chains stood up to start a row: 1 for single, 2 for half double, 3 for double crochet. | 3 | 0 ~ 6 |
Step by step
Quick reference table
Results when only Stitches per 10 cm (sts/10 cm) changes and everything else stays put.
| Stitches per 10 cm (sts/10 cm) | Chain stitches (sts) | Stitches (sts) | Finished width (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 83 | 80 | 100 |
| 12 | 123 | 120 | 100 |
| 16 | 163 | 160 | 100 |
| 24 | 243 | 240 | 100 |
| 32 | 323 | 320 | 100 |
What each result means
| Result | At default values |
|---|---|
| Chain stitches (sts)How many chains you make to start, turning chain included. | 163 |
| Stitches (sts)Stitch count, measured across. | 160 |
| Finished width (cm)The width when finished, before any seam or fold allowance. | 100 |
Common mistakes
A chain is smaller than the stitch worked into it, so the same hands chain tighter than they crochet. Those 163 chains can measure right on the ruler and still pull the bottom edge in once the first row goes on. Chain with a hook one size up, or skip the chain entirely and use a foundation row (fdc). If the pattern repeats over a set number of stitches, round the 160 to that multiple first and add the turning chain afterwards.
Glossary
- Stitches per 10 cm
- Stitches in 10 cm. If you measured over 5 cm, double it before entering.
- Finished width
- The width when finished, before any seam or fold allowance.
- Turning chain
- Chains stood up to start a row: 1 for single, 2 for half double, 3 for double crochet.
- Chain stitches
- How many chains you make to start, turning chain included.
- Stitches
- Stitch count, measured across.
Frequently asked questions
Q. How is Crochet Chain Calculator calculated?
Chain stitches = Stitches per 10 cm × Finished width ÷ 10 + Turning chain — 16 stitches over 10 cm is 1.6 per centimetre, so a 100 cm blanket is 160 stitches. The chain is those stitches plus the turning chain: 3 for double crochet, 2 for half double, 1 for single, which makes 163 chains here. The turning chain either stands in for the first stitch or just buys height, so it never counts towards the width.
Q. Can you walk through an example?
With Stitches per 10 cm 16sts/10 cm, Finished width 100cm, Turning chain 3sts, the answer is Chain stitches 163sts.
Q. What do I need to enter?
Enter Stitches per 10 cm, Finished width, Turning chain. The result recalculates as you type, and an empty box counts as zero.
Q. How much does the answer move if I change a number?
Changing only Stitches per 10 cm (sts/10 cm) moves the answer to Stitches per 10 cm (sts/10 cm) 8 → Chain stitches (sts) 83 and Stitches per 10 cm (sts/10 cm) 32 → Chain stitches (sts) 323. The table below lays out five steps.
Q. How are the numbers rounded?
Money is shown to the nearest whole unit, percentages to one decimal place and everything else to two. What you see is rounded; the calculation itself carries the unrounded value forward.
Q. Anything to watch out for?
A chain is smaller than the stitch worked into it, so the same hands chain tighter than they crochet. Those 163 chains can measure right on the ruler and still pull the bottom edge in once the first row goes on. Chain with a hook one size up, or skip the chain entirely and use a foundation row (fdc). If the pattern repeats over a set number of stitches, round the 160 to that multiple first and add the turning chain afterwards.
Related calculators
Materials differ in density and absorption. If your label states a figure, use it — the defaults here are only common values.