How to read a crochet hook sizes conversion chart

Crochet is one of the most popular and versatile techniques for creating textile pieces. It was widely used by our grandmas to make clothing and decorations for our houses, and although it can still be used for those purposes, its uses have expanded greatly.

Depending on the project you are working on, you will have to use specific types of yarn and, together with them, different crochet sizes.

Fortunately, each crochet hook has its size engraved on its handle. However, they are not clear at all! Worry not, here you have a crochet hook sizes conversion chart that will come in handy.

What are the crochet hook sizes you can find?

There are at least four different scales for measuring the size of the crochet hook you need. There is a metric scale, based on the millimeters of the hook, and there are also American, British and Japanese scales, that are completely different. Take a look at the crochet hook sizes conversion chart below to see how they correspond.

Crochet hook sizes conversion chart

As you can see in this crochet hook size chart, these different sizes do not have a direct correspondence with each other, and they can be quite tricky!
For example, keep in mind that a Japanese 6/0 is equivalent to a 3.50 metric size. I myself bought a 3/0 hook thinking it was a 3mm crochet hook and it was tiny!

Besides the fact that these indications can be very confusing, we have to admit that sometimes, different manufacturers use their own molds, so you might get a G hook from Clover and another G hook from Prym and find out they are not the same.

Of course, it won’t be like buying G and B hooks, but one can be slightly smaller than the other one. That’s why, we recommend taking these sizes as a suggestion but not as an absolute rule. 

In any case, you can try to always get hooks from the same brand to make sure they are all in the same scale.

Crochet hook sizes

But how to tell what crochet hook sizes you need?

The best you can do to tell what crochet hook you need is to test it. If you know a store where they allow you to try hooks before buying them, go there! Take the yarn you want to use with you and see which hook gives you the best result.

Keep in mind that not only one crochet hook can be good for your project. Depending on the tightness you want to achieve, you might want to use a bigger or smaller hook.

For example, for making amigurumis with cotton yarn, it’s usually recommended to use a 3mm crochet hook, but you can use a 2.5mm hook for a tighter textile or a 3.5mm one to make it looser.

In conclusion, you can use a crochet hook sizes conversion chart, but it’s not always the best option. You’d better try the yarn on your own to see which one you like the most!

If you wonder what it is ‘knitting pm’ (click here) we tell you everything you need to know about this and more abbreviations so that you are an expert on the subject