UK vs US Crochet Terms: Stitch Conversion Chart and Hook Sizes

UK and US crochet patterns use the same stitches but different names, with UK names sitting one step higher. A UK double crochet (dc) is a US single crochet (sc), a UK treble (tr) is a US double crochet (dc), and a UK half treble (htr) is a US half double crochet (hdc). Check which terms a pattern uses before you start, because "dc" means a different stitch in each.

UK to US crochet stitch conversion table

This table matches the term comparison published by the Craft Yarn Council and the UK conversion list from Simply Crochet's abbreviations guide. Each row is the same physical stitch.

Other words that differ

• Tension (UK) / gauge (US): the number of stitches and rows over 10 cm (4 in).
• Yarn round hook, yrh (UK) / yarn over, yo (US): wrapping the yarn over the hook. Some UK patterns use "yoh" (yarn over hook).
• Miss (UK) / skip (US): older UK patterns often say "miss a stitch"; many modern ones use "sk" for skip, as US patterns do.
• Chain, slip stitch and fasten off mean the same in both systems.

Why the names are different

Both systems describe exactly the same stitches; only the labels differ. The simplest way to remember it is that there is no "single crochet" in UK terms. The shortest stitch after the slip stitch is called a double crochet in the UK and a single crochet in the US, and every taller stitch follows the same one-step shift: UK names are one step up from US names.

The practical effect matters. If you read a UK pattern's "dc" as a US double crochet, you will work a much taller stitch than intended. The fabric becomes looser, the piece grows much bigger than the pattern says, and you run out of yarn. The same happens in reverse: reading a US "dc" as a UK double crochet produces a short, dense fabric that comes out far too small.

How to tell whether a pattern uses UK or US terms

1. Look for a statement. Many patterns say "written in UK terms" or "US terms" near the abbreviations list or materials.
2. Look for "sc" or "hdc". These only exist in US terminology, so if a pattern uses them it is written in US terms.
3. Look for "htr", "yrh" or "tension". These point to UK terms.
4. Watch out for patterns that only use ch, dc and tr. These abbreviations appear in both systems, so they cannot tell you on their own. Check the stitch photos, the designer's or publisher's country, and the tension section.
5. Compare with the tension square. If the stated tension is, say, a certain number of dc over 10 cm and your swatch is wildly different, you may be working the wrong stitch.

Converting a pattern safely

• Print or copy the pattern and write the converted stitch above each abbreviation before you start.
• Convert from the tallest stitch to the shortest, so you don't change a "dc" to "tr" and then change it again.
• Work a test swatch and compare it with the pattern photos and tension.

Crochet hook sizes: UK, US and metric

Hooks sold in the UK today are sized in millimetres, which is the diameter of the shaft. US hooks usually carry a letter and number as well. The table follows the Craft Yarn Council's hook conversion chart; a dash means there is no US letter for that size.

The "often used with" column follows the Craft Yarn Council's recommended hook ranges for each yarn weight; the ball band and your pattern take priority. For the yarn names themselves, see our guide to yarn weights explained for UK makers.

Hook size quirks

• Letters aren't always consistent: the Craft Yarn Council lists some in-between sizes (such as 4.25 mm as G and 5.25 mm as I), so brands may label similar letters differently. Go by the millimetre size.
• Old UK hook numbers: vintage British patterns may give numbered hook sizes that, like old knitting needles, get smaller as the number rises. Published charts don't always agree on the in-between sizes, so match the yarn and tension rather than relying on the number alone.
• Steel hooks for crochet thread are sized the other way round: the higher the number, the smaller the hook.

All three charts (hooks, needles and yarn weights) are collected on our craft conversion charts page, and hooks and yarn are in the knitting and crochet department as the range is added.

Tips for beginners

• Pick one system and stick to it while you learn: UK books and magazines use UK terms; many online videos use US terms.
• Keep the conversion table next to your pattern until the names become second nature.
• When you write notes or share a pattern, say which terms you used.
• Store hooks in a case or pouch so the small sizes don't get lost or picked up by young children.

Quick checklist

• UK dc = US sc; UK htr = US hdc; UK tr = US dc; UK dtr = US tr.
• "sc" or "hdc" in a pattern means US terms; "htr" or "yrh" suggests UK terms.
• If a pattern only uses ch, dc and tr, check the photos, designer and tension before starting.
• Use millimetre hook sizes as your reference; US letters and old UK numbers vary.
• Always swatch and compare with the stated tension.

Knit as well as crochet? Our knitting needle size conversion guide covers old UK, metric and US needles.

Frequently asked questions

Is UK double crochet the same as US double crochet?

No. A UK double crochet (dc) is the same stitch as a US single crochet (sc). A US double crochet is called a treble (tr) in UK terms.

What is a half treble in US terms?

A UK half treble (htr) is a US half double crochet (hdc). It sits between UK double crochet and UK treble in height.

How do I know if a crochet pattern uses UK or US terms?

Look for a note saying which terms are used. If the pattern uses sc or hdc it is in US terms; htr, yrh or tension usually point to UK terms.

What US size is a 4 mm crochet hook?

A 4 mm hook is a US G-6 on the Craft Yarn Council chart. Some brands label slightly different sizes as G, so go by the millimetre size.

What happens if I use the wrong crochet terms?

Reading UK dc as US dc gives a much taller stitch, so the piece grows larger and uses more yarn. Reading US dc as UK dc gives a short, dense fabric that comes out too small.