Knitting Sleeve Length Calculator
Created by: Ethan Brooks
Last updated:
Calculate sleeve rows, decrease spacing, and stitch counts from your measurements and gauge. Choose between set-in, raglan, drop shoulder, or top-down sleeve styles.
Knitting Sleeve Length Calculator
KnittingCalculate rows, shaping, and stitch counts for sweater sleeves
Measurements
Gauge & Style
Related Calculators
What is a Sleeve Length Calculator?
A Sleeve Length Calculator helps knitters determine row counts, decrease spacing, and stitch counts for sleeves. Enter your gauge, arm measurements, and sleeve style to get complete shaping instructions.
Sleeves are one of the trickiest parts of sweater construction. Getting the taper right — from upper arm to cuff — requires careful math. This calculator handles the shaping arithmetic so you can focus on knitting.
Understanding Sleeve Construction
Set-In Sleeve: Shaped cap fits into a curved armhole — most tailored look
Drop Shoulder: No shaping at cap — sleeve extends past shoulder point
Raglan: Diagonal seam from underarm to neck — shaped with body simultaneously
Top-Down: Pick up around armhole, decrease to cuff — easy to adjust length
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure sleeve length?
Measure from the underarm (armpit seam) to the wrist bone for a set-in sleeve. For a raglan or top-down sleeve, measure from the shoulder point to the wrist. Always measure with arm slightly bent and relaxed.
What is a standard sleeve length?
For women, a full-length sleeve is typically 17-18 inches from underarm to wrist. For men, it's 19-20 inches. Three-quarter sleeves are about 75% of full length, and short sleeves are 6-8 inches from the shoulder.
How do I calculate sleeve shaping?
Subtract cuff stitches from upper arm stitches to find total decreases. Divide available rows by decrease rows needed. For paired decreases (one each side), each decrease row removes 2 stitches. Space decrease rows evenly.
What is ease in a sleeve?
Sleeve ease is extra room beyond your arm measurement. 1-2 inches of positive ease is standard for a comfortable fit. Fitted sleeves use 0-1 inch. Oversized styles may add 3-4 inches. Negative ease is used for very stretchy fabrics.
How do I knit a sleeve from the top down?
Pick up stitches around the armhole, then knit in the round decreasing gradually to the cuff. This lets you try on as you go and adjust length easily. Decrease every few rounds based on your shaping calculation.
How many rows are in a sleeve?
Multiply your row gauge (rows per inch) by the sleeve length in inches. For example, 7 rows per inch × 17 inches = 119 rows. Round to match your pattern repeat if needed.
What about cap shaping for set-in sleeves?
A set-in sleeve cap typically measures 5-6 inches tall. Bind off the same number of stitches as the body armhole at the start, then decrease gradually, then bind off remaining stitches. Cap height equals armhole depth minus 1 inch.
How do I adjust sleeve length for different sizes?
Arm length doesn't vary as much as body width between sizes. Add about 0.5 inch per size up. The bigger change is in upper arm width — add 1-2 inches in circumference per size, which means more stitches and more shaping rows.
Sources and References
- The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd
- Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard
- Craft Yarn Council, standard body measurements