Reference Chart

Crochet Hook Size Chart

Metric millimetre, US letter/number, and UK sizes for every standard crochet hook — plus a separate table for steel thread hooks and recommended ranges for each yarn weight class. Type any size in the search box to highlight it across both tables.

Standard crochet hooks

Aluminium, plastic, ergonomic, and tunisian hooks — all measured by shaft diameter in millimetres.

Crochet hook conversion: metric millimetres to US and UK/Canada sizes
Metric (mm)US sizeUK / Canada
2.0 mm14
2.25 mmB-113
2.5 mm12
2.75 mmC-2
3.0 mm11
3.25 mmD-310
3.5 mmE-49
3.75 mmF-5
4.0 mmG-68
4.25 mmG
4.5 mm77
5.0 mmH-86
5.5 mmI-95
6.0 mmJ-104
6.5 mmK-10½3
7.0 mm2
8.0 mmL-110
9.0 mmM/N-1300
10.0 mmN/P-15000
11.5 mmP-16
15.0 mmP/Q
16.0 mmQ
19.0 mmS
25.0 mmT/U/X

— means no standard size designation exists at that millimetre measurement.

Steel (thread) crochet hooks

Steel hooks use a separate, inverted scale — a higher number means a smaller hook. They overlap standard hooks in millimetres but never in labelling, which is why a “size 2” steel hook (2.25 mm) and a “size 2” standard hook are nothing alike. Use these for fine thread crochet, lace, doilies, and beadwork.

Steel crochet hook conversion: US steel size to metric millimetres
US steel sizeMetric (mm)
003.5 mm
03.25 mm
12.75 mm
22.25 mm
32.1 mm
42.0 mm
51.9 mm
61.8 mm
71.65 mm
81.5 mm
91.4 mm
101.3 mm
111.1 mm
121.0 mm
130.85 mm
140.75 mm

US letter sizes are not standardised between manufacturers

The metric measurement is the only reliable one. Letter sizes vary between brands — a hook stamped “G” is 4.0 mm from some manufacturers and 4.25 mm from others, and both are sold as G. You can see this reflected in the table above, where both 4.0 mm and 4.25 mm appear under different G designations.

If a pattern specifies a letter and your gauge is off, check the millimetre marking stamped on the shaft before assuming your tension is the problem. When buying hooks from a brand you haven’t used before, verify the mm size on the package.

UK and Canadian sizes run inverse to metric: the number gets smaller as the hook gets larger. UK 14 is 2.0 mm; UK 000 is 10 mm. Many modern patterns from UK designers now specify metric instead of the old number system.

Which hook for which yarn weight

Starting points, not rules. Your gauge swatch decides the final hook — these ranges are where patterns typically assume you’ll begin. Yarn weight categories follow the Craft Yarn Council standard.

Recommended crochet hook size by yarn weight category
Yarn weightHook rangeUS equivalent
0 — Lace1.4–2.25 mmsteel 8 to B-1
1 — Super Fine2.25–3.5 mmB-1 to E-4
2 — Fine3.5–4.5 mmE-4 to 7
3 — Light4.5–5.5 mm7 to I-9
4 — Medium5.5–6.5 mmI-9 to K-10½
5 — Bulky6.5–9 mmK-10½ to M/N-13
6 — Super Bulky9–15 mmM/N-13 to P/Q
7 — Jumbo15 mm and upP/Q and larger

Crochet hook size FAQ

What size crochet hook do I need for worsted weight yarn?

For worsted weight (size 4 — Medium), the standard starting range is 5.5 mm to 6.5 mm (US I-9 to K-10½). Most patterns call for a 5.5 mm or 6.0 mm hook. Always check your pattern's gauge swatch — hook size affects stitch tension more than yarn weight alone.

What is the difference between US and metric crochet hook sizes?

The metric measurement in millimetres is the diameter of the hook shaft and is the only standardised measurement. US letter and number sizes are informal labels that vary between manufacturers — a "G" hook can be 4.0 mm from one brand and 4.25 mm from another. Always match by the mm marking stamped on the shaft, not the letter.

What are steel crochet hooks used for?

Steel hooks are used for thread crochet: lace, doilies, and beadwork using fine cotton thread. They use a separate, inverted numbering system where higher numbers mean smaller hooks — a steel size 14 (0.75 mm) is the smallest; a steel size 00 (3.5 mm) is the largest. A "size 2" steel hook is 2.25 mm, completely different from a "size 2" standard hook.

What does the UK crochet hook numbering system mean?

UK sizes run inversely to metric: the number decreases as the hook gets larger. UK 14 is 2.0 mm; UK 000 is 10.0 mm. Many modern UK and Canadian patterns now specify metric millimetres instead, so the old number system mainly comes up when working from older patterns published before metric became standard.

Why does my gauge not match the pattern even with the right hook?

Gauge depends on your personal tension, not just hook size. If your swatch is too tight (too many stitches per inch), go up one hook size. If it's too loose, go down one size. Yarn fibre content and your individual crochet style both affect gauge. Always swatch before starting a sized garment.

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