Amigurumi Size Calculator
CrochetMeasure a 5-round circle, enter the stitch and round counts, and get an estimate of the finished size, or scale a pattern to a new yarn.
Quick answer. With a 5-round circle that measures 2 in, a ball whose widest round is 36 stitches comes out about 2.4 in (6.1 cm) across. That is an estimate from your gauge, before stuffing.
Source: 5-round circle gauge from Ollie + Holly; size from circle geometry; scaling factors from PlanetJune.
Your amigurumi
Result
0
Estimated size
An estimate from your gauge before stuffing. Firm stuffing stretches the fabric and adds a little.
Worked example
- Gauge: a 5-round circle of 30 stitches measures 2 in across. Around, that is 3.14 x 2 = 6.28 in, so 30 / 6.28 = 4.77 stitches per inch. 5 rounds make the 1 in radius, so 5 rounds per inch.
- Ball: a widest round of 36 stitches is 36 / 4.77 = 7.54 in around, and 7.54 / 3.14 = 2.4 in (6.1 cm) across.
- Round: pole to pole is half the circumference, 3.77 in x 5 = about 19 rounds for a ball as tall as it is wide.
- Arm or leg: a tube of 24 stitches and 12 rounds is 1.6 in across and 12 / 5 = 2.4 in long.
Ball size by widest round and gauge
Across, before stuffing, for the 5-round circle you measured.
| Widest round | 1.5 in (3.8 cm) circle | 2 in (5.1 cm) circle | 2.5 in (6.4 cm) circle | 3 in (7.6 cm) circle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 sts | 0.9 in (2.3 cm) | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 1.5 in (3.8 cm) | 1.8 in (4.6 cm) |
| 24 sts | 1.2 in (3 cm) | 1.6 in (4.1 cm) | 2 in (5.1 cm) | 2.4 in (6.1 cm) |
| 36 sts | 1.8 in (4.6 cm) | 2.4 in (6.1 cm) | 3 in (7.6 cm) | 3.6 in (9.1 cm) |
| 48 sts | 2.4 in (6.1 cm) | 3.2 in (8.1 cm) | 4 in (10.2 cm) | 4.8 in (12.2 cm) |
| 60 sts | 3 in (7.6 cm) | 4 in (10.2 cm) | 5 in (12.7 cm) | 6 in (15.2 cm) |
Scaling by yarn and hook
PlanetJune's size conversion: final size = pattern size x scale factor, compared with worsted on a 3.5 mm hook.
| Size | Yarn | Hook | Scale | A 6 in toy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro | crochet thread #30; pearl cotton #12 | 0.9 mm (14) | 0.3 | 1.8 in |
| Mini | crochet thread #20; pearl cotton #8 | 1.4 mm (8) | 0.4 | 2.4 in |
| Small | sport (#2) to DK (#3) | 2.25 to 2.75 mm (B to C) | 0.8 | 4.8 in |
| Standard | worsted (#4) | 3.5 mm (E) | 1 | 6 in |
| Large | 2 strands worsted (#4); 1 strand bulky (#5) | 5 mm (H) | 1.5 | 9 in |
| Double | 2 strands bulky (#5); 1 strand super bulky (#6) | 6.5 mm (K) | 2 | 12 in |
| Giant | 2 strands super bulky (#6); 1 strand jumbo (#7) | 15 mm (P/Q-19) | 3.6 | 21.6 in |
| Extreme | 6 strands super bulky (#6); 1 strand jumbo (#7) | 25 mm | 6.5 | 39 in |
June Gilbank calls these factors a rough estimate: yarns of the same weight, hooks and tension all vary.
How the amigurumi maths works
- Stitches per inch = 30 / (3.14 x circle width); rounds per inch = 10 / circle width
- Around = stitches in the round / stitches per inch; across = around / 3.14
- Tube length = rounds / rounds per inch
- Flat circle = 2 x rounds / rounds per inch across
- Scaled pattern = pattern size x new scale factor / old scale factor, or x your circle / the pattern's circle
Sources
- Ollie + Holly, How to Measure/Check Gauge for Amigurumi: the 5-round circle and its 2 in, 3.5 mm sample. https://www.ollieholly.com/blog/2020/03/05/how-to-measure-check-gauge-for-amigurumi
- PlanetJune (June Gilbank), Scaling Amigurumi to Any Size: yarn, hook and scale factor table. https://www.planetjune.com/blog/amigurumi-help/scaling-amigurumi-to-any-size/
Common questions
How big will my amigurumi be?
Measure a 5-round circle in your yarn and hook, then enter the widest round's stitches. With a 2 in circle, a ball whose widest round is 36 stitches is about 2.4 in (6.1 cm) across before stuffing.
How do I check gauge for amigurumi?
Ollie + Holly's method: 6 sc in a magic circle, then increase 6 a round for 5 rounds to 30 stitches, and measure across the circle through the centre of the stitches. Their sample is 2 in with a 3.5 mm hook in a cotton aran.
How do I make an amigurumi bigger or smaller?
Change the yarn and hook. PlanetJune's scale factors run from 0.3 (Micro, crochet thread) to 6.5 (Extreme) against worsted on a 3.5 mm hook. A 6 in toy in worsted made Large (2 strands worsted or 1 bulky, 5 mm hook) is about 9 in.
How many rounds make a ball round?
About half the ball's circumference in rounds. A 2.4 in ball at 5 rounds per inch needs about 19 rounds from pole to pole.
Is the size exact?
No. Every figure here is an estimate from your gauge. Tension, the exact yarn and how firmly you stuff all change the finished size, and PlanetJune calls its scale factors a rough estimate.
Why measure the circle and not a square swatch?
Amigurumi is worked in the round in tight single crochet, and the 5-round circle is the same start most pieces use, so it shows the gauge you will really get. A flat single crochet swatch works too: choose it in the calculator.