How Many Granny Squares Do I Need for a Blanket?

BeginnerReference Updated 2026-09-24

Divide the blanket width by the size of one finished square and round up, do the same for the length, then multiply. For example, a 127 × 152 cm (50 × 60 in) throw made of 15 cm squares needs 9 × 11 = 99 squares. Measure a blocked square first, because your squares may not match the pattern.

Squares needed for common blanket sizes

Blanket sizes are those listed on crochet blanket patterns sold by the yarn maker Lion Brand (designers' sizes differ a little, so treat them as typical, not standard). Each cell is squares across × squares down = total, rounded up, so the blanket comes out the target size or a little bigger, before any border.

Blanket	Size (cm)	Size (in)	10 cm squares	12.5 cm squares	15 cm squares	20 cm squares
Stroller	76 × 91	30 × 36	8 × 10 = 80	7 × 8 = 56	6 × 7 = 42	4 × 5 = 20
Baby / receiving	102 × 102	40 × 40	11 × 11 = 121	9 × 9 = 81	7 × 7 = 49	6 × 6 = 36
Crib	114 × 152	45 × 60	12 × 16 = 192	10 × 13 = 130	8 × 11 = 88	6 × 8 = 48
Throw / sofa	127 × 152	50 × 60	13 × 16 = 208	11 × 13 = 143	9 × 11 = 99	7 × 8 = 56
Twin / single bed	165 × 229	65 × 90	17 × 23 = 391	14 × 19 = 266	11 × 16 = 176	9 × 12 = 108
Full / double bed	216 × 229	85 × 90	22 × 23 = 506	18 × 19 = 342	15 × 16 = 240	11 × 12 = 132
Queen	229 × 254	90 × 100	23 × 26 = 598	19 × 21 = 399	16 × 17 = 272	12 × 13 = 156
King	274 × 254	108 × 100	28 × 26 = 728	22 × 21 = 462	19 × 17 = 323	14 × 13 = 182

Sizes in cm are the inch sizes × 2.54, rounded to whole centimetres. Other patterns list, for example, a queen blanket as 96 × 108 in or a crib blanket as 40 × 60 in, so check the size you actually want. To fit your own bed, measure the mattress and add the drop you want over each side.

The formula

Squares across = blanket width ÷ square size, rounded up.
Squares down = blanket length ÷ square size, rounded up.
Total squares = squares across × squares down.
Example: a crib blanket of 114 × 152 cm with 15 cm squares: 114 ÷ 15 = 7.6, so 8 across; 152 ÷ 15 = 10.1, so 11 down; 8 × 11 = 88 squares. The finished blanket is 8 × 15 = 120 cm by 11 × 15 = 165 cm.
If rounding up makes the blanket much bigger than you want (for example 10.1 rounded to 11), round down instead and make up the difference with a wider border.

Measure your own square first

Patterns give a square size, but your squares will be the size your tension makes. Crochet one square, block it, and measure it from edge to edge. Use that measurement in the formula. A difference of 1 cm per square adds up: 11 squares that are each 1 cm bigger make the blanket 11 cm longer.

Borders and joins

Joining. Some joins add width between squares (a single crochet join or an extra join-as-you-go round more than a sewn seam). Join two squares and measure them to see how much, then use half the joined width as your square size.
Border. A border adds its width twice to each dimension (once on each side). A 5 cm border makes the blanket 10 cm wider and 10 cm longer, so you may need one row or column fewer.
Squares for a layout. For a pattern of colours or a rectangle of squares, draw the grid first (squares across × down) and count how many of each colour you need.
See how to crochet a granny square for the pattern and joining methods, and granny square problems if your squares are not the same size.

Frequently asked questions

How many granny squares for a baby blanket?

For a 102 × 102 cm (40 × 40 in) baby blanket: 49 squares of 15 cm (7 × 7), 81 of 12.5 cm or 121 of 10 cm. A smaller 76 × 91 cm stroller blanket takes 42 squares of 15 cm.

How many granny squares for a throw blanket?

For a 127 × 152 cm (50 × 60 in) throw: 99 squares of 15 cm (9 × 11), 143 of 12.5 cm, or 56 of 20 cm.

How many granny squares for a queen size blanket?

For a 229 × 254 cm (90 × 100 in) queen blanket: 272 squares of 15 cm (16 × 17) or 156 of 20 cm (12 × 13). Measure your bed, because queen blanket sizes vary between patterns.

What size should a granny square be?

Any size you like. Bigger squares mean fewer squares and fewer ends to weave in; smaller squares give more room for colour patterns. What matters is that all squares in one blanket are the same size.

What size is a crochet throw blanket?

A common throw size on crochet patterns is 50 × 60 in (127 × 152 cm). Lion Brand describes this as sized for one adult on a sofa.