Gauge & Stitch
Chain Calculator
Find exactly how many chains to make for your first row, including the turning chain, for single, half double, double or treble crochet.
Starting Foundation Chain Calculator
1Width & GaugeDimensions
inches
sts/inches
2Stitch & Turning Rulesdc
Turning rule: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc)
3Stitch Multiple (Optional)Pattern Sync
Set to 1 if pattern has no stitch multiple
e.g. +2 for turning symmetry
Foundation Chain & First Row Instructions
Starting Foundation Chain
Chain 107
105 row stitches + 2 turning chains
First Stitch Placement
4th chain from hook (skipped 3 chains count as 1st dc)
Count loops back from hook (do NOT count loop on hook)
Resulting Row 1 Stitches
105stitches
Achieves 30 inches finished width
Step-by-Step Foundation Instructions:
Step 1: Cast On
Make a slip knot and chain loosely 107 stitches.
Step 2: 1st Stitch
Work your first DC into the 4th chain from hook (skipped 3 chains count as 1st dc).
Step 3: Work Across
Work 1 DC into each remaining chain across to count 105 sts.
Tight Chain Tip: Starting chains naturally tend to be tighter than working stitches, causing blankets to curl into a smile or crescent shape. Work your starting chain with a hook 0.5mm or 1.0mm larger than the hook you will use for the rest of the project, or use Foundation Single Crochet (FSC) / Foundation Double Crochet (FDC)!
How to use the chain calculator
- Row 1Enter the width you want and your stitch gauge (stitches per inch or cm) from your swatch.
- Row 2Choose the stitch you'll use for the first row.
- Row 3Say whether your pattern counts the turning chain as the first stitch.
- Row 4If your stitch pattern repeats, enter the multiple and any extra stitches.
- Row 5Read the number of chains to make and exactly which chain to work your first stitch into.
Why the starting chain is one of the trickiest counts
Your foundation chain has to be the number of stitches you want, plus a few extra for the turning chain at the start of Row 1. How many extra depends on the stitch and on whether the skipped chains count as a stitch. Get it wrong and Row 1 ends up a stitch short or long, which throws off the stitch pattern from the very start.
Here's how the calculator handles each stitch, for a row of N stitches:
| First-row stitch | Turning chain counts? | Chains to make | First stitch goes in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single crochet | No | N + 1 | 2nd chain from hook |
| Half double crochet | Yes | N + 1 | 3rd chain (skipped 2 count as a stitch) |
| Half double crochet | No | N + 2 | 3rd chain (skipped chains don't count) |
| Double crochet | Yes | N + 2 | 4th chain (skipped 3 count as a stitch) |
| Double crochet | No | N + 2 | 3rd chain (skipped chains don't count) |
| Treble crochet | Yes | N + 3 | 5th chain (skipped 4 count as a stitch) |
| Treble crochet | No | N + 3 | 4th chain (skipped chains don't count) |
Worked example
You want a blanket 30 inches wide with a gauge of 3.5 stitches per inch, in double crochet, and your pattern counts the ch-3 as the first stitch.
- 1.Stitches across: 30 × 3.5 = 105 stitches
- 2.Double crochet, turning chain counts: add 2, so chain 107
- 3.Work your first double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook
Check: from the 4th chain to the 107th is 104 double crochets, plus the 3 skipped chains counting as one stitch, which makes 105 stitches.
Skip the long chain entirely
Counting a 200-chain foundation is no fun, and long chains are often tighter than the rows above them, which makes the bottom edge pull in.
Two alternatives:
- Chain loosely, or use a hook one or two sizes bigger for the chain only.
- Use a foundation stitch row, which makes the chain and the first row at the same time. See our foundation single crochet lesson.
The formula
Row stitches = width × stitch gauge (rounded, then fitted to the pattern multiple if given). Starting chains = row stitches + turning allowance: +1 for single crochet; +1 (counts) or +2 (doesn't count) for half double; +2 for double; +3 for treble.
Tips
- Place a stitch marker every 20 or 25 chains so you can count without starting over.
- Count the V shapes on the front of the chain, not the loop on your hook or the slip knot.
- Make a few extra chains if you're unsure. Unpicking spare chains from the end is easy; adding chains is not.
- Check your pattern's note about turning chains, since designers differ.
Chain Calculator FAQ
No. Neither the slip knot nor the loop on your hook counts. Count only the chains you make after the slip knot.
In-depth guides
Crochet Techniques6 min readHow to Fix Uneven Crochet Edges and Keep Them Straight
Almost every wobbly edge comes from the first and last stitch of each row. Learn the turning chain rules, the fixes for gappy edges, and how to tidy a finished piece with a border.
Read guide
Crochet Troubleshooting5 min readWhy Is My Crochet Curling? Fixes for Rows, Circles and Granny Squares
Curling almost always means one part of the fabric is tighter than the rest. Here's how to fix curling rows, circles that cup or ruffle, and granny squares that won't lie flat.
Read guide
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