This crochet chain length calculator helps determine how many starting chains are needed to reach a desired project width. Enter your desired width and your stitch gauge to estimate the correct starting chain for blankets, scarves, and other crochet projects.
How to Calculate Crochet Starting Chain Length
To determine the correct starting chain for a crochet project, multiply the number of stitches per inch by the desired project width. The result estimates how many chains are required to achieve the correct width based on your gauge.
Example:
Stitches per inch × desired width = starting chain
If your gauge is 4 stitches per inch and you want a 40-inch blanket, the starting chain would be:
4 × 40 = 160 chains