Crochet Increase & Decrease Calculator
Spread increases or decreases evenly across a row or round. Enter your stitch count and how many to add or remove; you get one line you can crochet straight away.
I want to
Working
Terms
Your instructions
*sc 9, inc* 6 times
60 sts → 66 sts (+6)
"inc" = 2 sc in the same stitch. Asterisks mark the part to repeat.
How this is calculated
The row is split into as many groups as there are changes. With 60 stitches and 6 increases, each group is 60 ÷ 6 = 10 stitches. An increase (2 stitches in one) uses one stitch of the group, so you work 9 plain stitches, then increase, six times: *sc 9, inc* 6 times, ending with 66 stitches.
A decrease such as sc2tog uses two stitches, so the plain part is the group size minus two. To go from 66 to 60 stitches: 66 ÷ 6 = 11, so *sc 9, sc2tog* 6 times. Because each decrease uses two stitches, you can remove at most half of your stitches in one row.
When the stitches don’t divide evenly, some groups get one extra stitch. The calculator spreads the longer groups out across the row, the same idea DROPS describes as alternating two spacings. Worked flat, the first plain run is split between the beginning and the end so both edges match.
Abbreviations follow the Craft Yarn Council: inc = increase, sc2tog = single crochet 2 stitches together.
US vs UK crochet terms
| US / Canada | UK |
|---|---|
| slip stitch (sl st) | slip stitch (ss) |
| single crochet (sc) | double crochet (dc) |
| half double crochet (hdc) | half treble (htr) |
| double crochet (dc) | treble (tr) |
| treble (tr) | double treble (dtr) |
| double treble (dtr) | triple treble (trtr) |
| gauge | tension |
FAQ
How do I increase evenly in crochet?
Divide your current stitches by the number of increases. That gives the size of each group. Work one less than the group size in plain stitches, then increase (2 stitches in the next stitch), and repeat. The calculator does the division and spreads any leftover stitches for you.
Why is a decrease different from an increase?
An increase uses 1 stitch and makes 2, so it uses one stitch of the previous row. A decrease such as sc2tog uses 2 stitches and makes 1. That is why you can increase in every stitch, but only decrease up to half of your stitches in one row.
What is the difference between working flat and in the round?
In the round, the pattern repeats all the way around. Worked flat, the calculator splits the first plain run between the start and the end of the row, so both edges look the same.
What does *sc 9, inc* 6 times mean?
Work 1 single crochet in each of the next 9 stitches, then 2 single crochet in the next stitch. Repeat that 6 times in total.
Does this work with half double or double crochet?
Yes. The spacing is the same for any stitch. Replace "sc" with the stitch your pattern uses, and use the matching decrease (for example hdc2tog or dc2tog).
What are UK crochet terms?
UK patterns name stitches differently: a US single crochet (sc) is a UK double crochet (dc). Switch the terms option and the instructions use UK names.
More crochet calculators
- Crochet Gauge CalculatorTurn your swatch into stitches and rows per inch, and how many you need for any size.
- Crochet Blanket Size CalculatorStandard blanket sizes from lovey to king, with your starting chain and rows.
- Crochet Yarn CalculatorHow much yarn you need, in yards, meters, grams and skeins, from one swatch.
- Crochet Pricing CalculatorPrice your crochet work from materials, hours and fees, two ways side by side.
Sources
Formulas and standard sizes on this page come from the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-24. Spot an error? Tell us.