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Crochet Hooks and Crochet Hook Sizes: Complete Guide

Janne Kleivset
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If you’re a crochet beginner, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all of the different terms used to describe crochet hook sizes.

Crochet hooks are an important tool for anyone wanting to crochet, so it’s crucial as a crochet beginner to understand the different sizes that are available.

The confusion around crochet hooks sizes and terms mostly comes from the fact that measurements vary in different parts of the world.

But don’t worry – in this post, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about the different types of crochet hooks and give you a handy conversion chart so you can always be sure you’re using the right size for your project!

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Crochet Hooks and Crochet Hook Sizes: Complete Guide

Crochet Hook Definition


A crochet hook is a specialized tool used to create fabric from yarn or thread. It consists of a handle with a long shaft with a hook at the opposite end. The hook is used to catch the yarn and draw it through loops to create the crochet fabric.

It’s a tool used to make crochet pieces. The person crocheting will hold this tool in their hand and create loops with it using yarn or crochet threads.

Crochet hooks come in a variety of sizes, materials, and shape, where the size is determined by the diameter of the shaft.

When you first learn to crochet this is the tool you will need to get in addition to yarn and preferably a needle to weave in ends.

You will find the crochet hook size often labeled on the handle.

Crochet Hook Types


Crochet Hook Anatomy

All crochet hooks feature the same parts in various forms:

  • Handle: The handle of a crochet hook is where you hold your crochet hook.
  • Thumb Rest or Grip: Depending on the type of crochet hook you have, this part of the hook is often shaped for you to either grip with your thumb pointy finger. Or created as a part where you rest your thumb. This can either be in metal or soft. In some cases you don’t have this part on your crochet hook.
  • Shaft: Also known as the shank. This part is between either the handle and the head or between the thumb rest/grip and the head. If you work with many loops, the yarn will slide back and forth on this area while you crochet.
  • Head or hook: The head or hook part of the crochet hook consists of many parts. The throat, bowl, lip and point. It looks different depending on if you have a inline crochet hook, tapered crochet hook or hybrid crochet hook.
image showing the crochet hook anatomy with arrows pointing to the different parts of the crochet hook.

What Is An Inline Crochet Hook?

Crochet Hooks and Crochet Hook Sizes: Complete Guide

An inline crochet hook is defined by the fact that the the head of the crochet hook is aligned with the shaft.

What Is A Tapered Crochet Hook?

Crochet Hooks and Crochet Hook Sizes: Complete Guide

With a tapered crochet hook the final part towards the head is not aligned with the rest of the hook, but have a slight curve inwards towards the hook part.

You can of course have combinations of the two different types of crochet hook, those are often called hybrid crochet hooks.

Materials Crochet Hooks Are Made Of

There are a few different types of crochet hooks available on the market from different manufacturers, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

The most common type of hook is the metal hook, which is typically made from aluminium or steel. These hooks are strong and durable. They can either have a metal shaft or be patted with a soft material, often also referred to as ergonomic crochet hooks.

Another popular option is the plastic hook, which is often less slippery than metal but not as strong.

Finally, there are bamboo and wooden hooks, which are both great options.

Ultimately, it is up to the crocheter to decide which type of hook is right for them.

Here are examples of the different crochet hook types:

There are many different brands of crochet hooks available on the market, but some of the most common include Clover, Knitpro, Furls, Boye, and Susan Bates.

Each brand offers a different selection of sizes, materials, and prices, so it’s important to do some research to find the best option for your needs. For instance, Clover hooks are known for their smooth tips and wide range of sizes, while Boye hooks are affordable and easy to find in stores.

Ultimately, it’s important to try out a few different brands to see what works best for you.

The Importance Of Using The Correct Crochet Hook Size


The importance of using the correct crochet hook size cannot be understated. The hook size will determine the gauge/tension, of your crochet stitches. Gauge is the number of stitches and rows per inch or centimeter and is important to ensure your project is the correct size.

While it may be tempting to use a smaller hook to create a tighter stitch, this can result in your project coming out too small. Conversely, using a larger hook will produce a looser stitch, which can make your project look sloppy.

In order to achieve the perfect stitch, it is essential to use the hook size that is recommended for the yarn you are using or the one helping you to achieve the gauge given in the pattern you follow.

Not only does using the correct hook size result in a better-looking project, but it can also make your crocheting experience more enjoyable. If you are constantly struggling to force the yarn onto the hook or having to rip out stitches because they are too loose, it will take the fun out of the process. However, by using the appropriate hook size for your yarn, you will be able to work smoothly and efficiently, resulting in a beautiful final product.

gauge swatch is important when crocheting a garment

Crochet Hook Size Standards


There’s different crochet hook sizes depending on where in the world you are and how they are marked. Some have lettered crochet hook sizes, some have numbered and some have measurements in millimeter as their size standard.

There’s US crochet hook sizes & UK crochet hook sizes. But what those very thin crochet hook sizes also have their own size, the steel crochet hook sizes.

These are 4 size standards that are handy to know:

  • Metric crochet hooks / European crochet hooks
  • US crochet hooks
  • UK crochet hooks
  • Steel crochet hooks

Metric Crochet Hook Sizes

Metric Crochet Hook Sizes, also often refereed to as the European Crochet Hook Sizes (also common in Australia), are the standard way to measure crochet hooks.

The size is given in millimeters (mm) & consequently every hook based on this measurements should be the same.

Small Metric Crochet Hooks

The sizes are expressed in millimeters and correspond to the diameter of the hook.

The metric crochet hooks has a sizing usually ranging from about 2 mm, or even as small as 0.75 mm or less. Those small sizes is often steel hooks & are used when crocheting with thread.

The most common sizes used to be 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm and 4.5 mm. These sizes are often used for finer yarns such as fingering weight, lace weight and fine yarn.

For the smaller sizes I’m most familiar with Pony Steel Crochet Hooks, however I usually working with hooks that are bigger.

Larger Metric Crochet Hooks

The larger sizes have become more and more common, such as 5.0 mm, 5.5 mm, 6.0 mm, and 6.5 mm. These sizes are better suited for thicker yarns such as light yarn, worsted weight or bulky weight.

There are also even bigger crochet hooks such as 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm and 12 mm, often used for either 5 Bulky or 6 Super Bulky yarns.

The biggest sizes has increased the last few years, as really thick yarn, 7 Jumbo Yarn, has become more popular.

Personally my biggest crochet hook is size 15 mm, but as an example Loopy Mango has hook sizes as big as 25 mm or 35 mm.

US Crochet Hook Sizes

When it comes to US or American crochet hook sizes there are actually 3 size methods.

  • American Numbered Crochet Hook Sizes
  • American Letter Crochet Hook Sizes
  • US Steel Hook Sizes (see headline further down)

The most common one is the letter system.

The sizing with letters & numbers are almost parallel. One equal hook can for the most part have both a numbered size & a letter size.

An example is B is equal to size 1, furthermore C is equal to size 2., and so on. Some have their own size, as size 7 is in the middle of G (equal to size 6) and H (equal to size 8).

The numbered sizes range for the most part from 1 up to 15. The lettered sizes usually range from B to size Y. The Y size is as a result of jumbo yarn weights.

The hooks in the US Steel Hook Sizes is also often called aluminum crochet hooks or thread crochet hooks, but now a days crochet hooks in these sizes can be made of different materials.

The challenge with the US crochet hook sizes is that they aren’t based on measurements as the metric crochet hooks are. That means a hook from different a hook manufacturer with the same letter or number can have different measurements.

Resource: Read more about my favorite crochet hooks & find other crochet essentials.

UK Crochet Hook Sizes

The sizing in the UK is also often used in Canada (Canadian crochet hooks sizes). The sizes are given in numbers ranging from 14 as the smallest hooks & the biggest hooks are numbered 000.

The smallest size is equal to 2 mm crochet hooks, while the biggest 000 hook is equal to a 10 mm crochet hook.

This UK sizing is quite old & I’ve seen them named “old UK crochet hook sizes”.

Steel Crochet Hook Sizes

The steel hook sizes usually have their own terms & cheat sheets. Steel hooks are more the “old school” crochet hooks, as they are thinner, use crochet thread, apposed to the more popular thicker hooks that are more common these days. These are also often known as thread hooks.

Steel hook sizes are actually different in UK & US, and both are numbered.

  • US Steel Hook Sizes
  • UK Steel Hook Sizes

The US steel hook sizes range from 14, the smallest hooks, up to the size 00, the biggest hooks. Furthermore the UK steel hook sizes range from 7, as the smallest hooks & the biggest steel hook size is 0.

Usually these steel hooks are the same as the ones mentioned in metric crochet hook sizes with sizing from 0.75 mm and with 3.5 mm as the biggest size.

Crochet Hook Size Conversion Chart


Unlock the Exclusive Subscriber Content to get the downloadable + printable version or view the crochet hook size chart’s below + get a yarn weight chart as well.

Below you can find 3 different cheat sheets for crochet hook sizes.

  • Complete Crochet Hook Size Cheat Sheet
  • Steel Crochet Hook Size Cheat Sheet (Smaller hooks)
  • Crochet Hook Size Cheat Sheet (“Normal Sized –> Huge hooks)

Complete Crochet Hook Size Chart

Metric Sizes (mm)US SteelUS SizesUK SteelUK Sizes
0.6 mm
0.75 mm14
0.85 mm137
1 mm126 1/2
1.1 mm116
1.25 mm
1.3 mm105 1/2
1.4 mm95
1.5 mm84 1/2
1.65 mm74
1.75 mm
1.8 mm63 1/2
1.9 mm53
2 mm42 1/214
2.1 mm32
2.25 mm2B – 11 1/213
2.5 mm
2.75 mm1C – 2112
3 mm11
3.25 mm0D – 3010
3.5 mm00E – 4
3.75 mmF – 59
4 mmG – 68
4.25 mm
4.5 mm77
5 mmH – 86
5.5 mmI – 95
6 mmJ – 104
6.5 mmK – 10.53
7 mm2
7.5 mm
8 mmL – 110
9 mmM/N – 1300
10 mmN/P – 15000
12 mmO
15 mmP/Q
16 mmQ
19 mmS
25 mmU
35 mmY

Steel Crochet Hook Size Chart

Metric Sizes (mm)US SteelUK Steel
0.6 mm
0.75 mm14
0.85 mm137
1 mm126 1/2
1.1 mm116
1.25 mm
1.3 mm105 1/2
1.4 mm95
1.5 mm84 1/2
1.65 mm74
1.75 mm
1.8 mm63 1/2
1.9 mm53
2 mm42 1/2
2.1 mm32
2.25 mm21 1/2
2.5 mm
2.75 mm11
3 mm
3.25 mm00
3.5 mm00

Normal Sized – Huge Hooks Crochet Size Chart

Metric Sizes (mm)US SizesUK Sizes
2 mm14
2.25 mmB – 113
2.5 mm
2.75 mmC – 212
3 mm11
3.25 mmD – 310
3.5 mmE – 4
3.75 mmF – 59
4 mmG – 68
4.25 mm
4.5 mm77
5 mmH – 86
5.5 mmI – 95
6 mmJ – 104
6.5 mmK – 10.53
7 mm2
7.5 mm
8 mmL – 110
9 mmM/N – 1300
10 mmN/P – 15000
12 mmO
15 mmP/Q
16 mmQ
19 mmS
25 mmU
35 mmY

Crochet Hook Sizes FAQ


What are all the sizes of crochet hooks?

There are many sizes of crochet hooks, and the size you use will depend on the project you are working on. On the table directly above you will find a complete list of crochet hook sizes.

How do you know what size crochet hook to use?

If you are following a crochet pattern, the crochet hook size will be given in the materials list.
You can also find the crochet hook size on the yarn label.

How do you match a crochet hook with yarn?

There are a few things to keep in mind when matching a crochet hook with yarn. The first is the size of the hook. The second thing to consider is the type of yarn. Crochet hooks can be made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and wood. Each type of material works best with certain types of yarn fiber content and the experience will vary from user to user. Finally, you’ll want to think about the gauge of the yarn. This is the number of stitches per inch/cm that the yarn can produce. The higher the gauge, the finer the yarn. So, if you’re using a thin yarn, you’ll want to use a smaller hook. Conversely, if you’re using a thick yarn, you’ll want to use a larger hook.

What is the most commonly used crochet hook size?

The most commonly used crochet hook changes from person to person, depending on what type of crochet pattern you prefer to make and yarn weight you prefer to use.
On this website the crochet patterns with the most used crochet hook size is ??

What is the largest crochet hook?

The largest crochet hook is typically about 35 mm in size. This size hook is typically used for very thick yarns or for very large projects. Some people find that this size hook is too large and difficult to use, so they prefer to use smaller hooks for their projects.

Do you need different size crochet hooks?

If you are making something using a specific pattern for a specific size, like a sweater, using the right size crochet hook and yarn matter. In that way you will end up with the right gauge and also the right size final crochet project.
But otherwise, there’s no right or wrong answer to this question – it’s entirely up to personal preference! Some crocheters find that they prefer using different size hooks for different crochet projects, while others are perfectly content using just one or two sizes.
If you’re just starting out, it might be a good idea to invest in a few different size hooks. That way, you can experiment and see what you like best. Once you’ve found a size (or sizes) that you’re comfortable with, you can stick with that/those future projects and seek out crochet patterns that works for those crochet hook sizes.

What crochet hooks go with what yarn?

You can often find the suggested crochet hook size on the yarn labels of your yarn.
0 Lace Weight Yarn are often used with 1.4 – 2.2 mm crochet hook sizes.
1 Super Fine Yarn are often used with 2.25 – 3.5 mm crochet hook sizes.
2 Fine Yarn are often used with 3.5 – 4.5 mm crochet hook sizes.
3 Light Yarn are often used with 4.5 – 5.5 mm crochet hook sizes.
4 Medium Yarn are often used with 5.5 – 6.5 mm crochet hook sizes.
5 Bulky Yarn are often used with 6.5 – 9 mm mm crochet hook sizes.
6 Super Bulky Yarn are often used with 9 – 15 mm crochet hook sizes.

What happens if you use the wrong crochet hook size?

If you are following a crochet pattern and use the wrong crochet hook size, the size of your final crocheted piece may end up bigger or smaller than intended. This isn’t as important for all projects, but is very important if you crochet garments that needs to fit. Using the recommended hook will improve your chances of the final piece ending up the correct size.

How do I check if I use the correct size crochet hook?

You will need to test your gauge /tension. What you do is make a gauge swatch (crocheted square) and measure it lengthwise and widthwise to check if you have the same amount of rows and stitches as given in the pattern.
If you have more stitches and rows, use a larger hook. If you have less stitches use a smaller hook.

What is a Tunisian crochet hook?

A Tunisian crochet hook is a type of crochet hook, different from “regular hooks” that is used to create Tunisian crochet, also known as Afghan crochet. Tunisian crochet hooks are longer than traditional crochet hooks and have a stopper at the end to prevent the yarn from slipping off. Tunisian crochet hooks can be made of various materials, such as metal, plastic, or wood, and come in a variety of sizes.

Are knitting needle conversion charts the same as crochet hook conversion charts?

Yes, the sizes for crochet hooks and knitting needle size are the same.

What are the crochet hook sizes used for?

Crochet hook sizes are used to determine the circumference of the shaft and hook of the crochet hook.

Why do you need a crochet hook conversion chart?

You can use a crochet hook conversion chart to check what size your crochet hook is. Ex. If you have a letter sized crochet hook you can use it to find it’s mm comparison ect.

Crochet Hook Sizes – The Takeaway:


Your takeaway from this should be these important aspects:

  1. The Complete Crochet Hook Size Cheat Sheet (+ 2 extra hook size cheat sheets)
  2. The fact that the metric (mm) hook sizes are measurable & best as a reference.

Finally please comment below & ask questions, let me know your thoughts!

Janne Kleivset

Janne Kleivset

Founder, Crochet Pattern Designer & Owner of Joy of Motion Crochet.

Janne has helped millions of crocheters find their next crochet project with more than 250 free crochet patterns and 110 crochet tutorials on her blog.

With more than two decades of crochet experience, and crochet designing since 2011, she's been featured on multiple prominent sites such as Lion Brand Yarn, in crochet magazines and the OML "Make" book.

Learn more about Janne.



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