Crochet circle to square calculator

Squaring a circle means making the corners taller than the sides. This calculator divides your circle's last round into four, fixes any remainder so all sides match, and writes a squaring round that steps from tall stitches at the corners to short ones in the middle of each side. Larger circles get two rounds.

How to use the calculator

1. Enter the stitch count of your circle's last round (at least 8).
2. Follow any remainder fix first.
3. Work the squaring round, or two rounds for large circles.
4. Block the square.

How the calculator works

Each quarter of the circle gets one corner stitch, and the rest go along the side:

Stitches per quarter = last round ÷ 4

The corners of a square sit further from the centre than the middle of its sides, by √2 − 1, about 41% of the radius. So the side stitches are graded: taller near the corners, shortest in the middle. About a quarter of each half-side is worked in the tallest side stitch, half in the middle height, and the rest in the shortest.

If the count does not divide by 4, the remainder is fixed first:

• Remainder 1: sc2tog once in the middle of one side.
• Remainder 2: work two opposite corners across 2 stitches.
• Remainder 3: work 2 sc in one stitch in the middle of a side.

Up to 48 stitches, one round with (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) corners closes the gap. Above 48, the gap is too tall for one round, so it is split over two: the first round has (dc, ch 1, dc) corners, the second (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr).

Reading your results

• Stitches per quarter: and whether the count divides exactly by 4.
• Stitches per side after squaring: plus the chain space at each corner.
• Squaring instructions: the round, or two rounds, written out in pattern style.

Worked examples

• 36 stitches: 9 per quarter: 1 corner and 8 side stitches. Squaring round: *(2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) in next st (corner), 1 dc, 2 hdc, 2 sc, 2 hdc, 1 dc; rep from * 3 more times, join. Each side ends with 12 stitches plus a ch-2 corner.
• 60 stitches: two rounds. Round A: *(dc, ch 1, dc) in next st (corner), 2 hdc, 10 sc, 2 hdc; rep from * 3 more times (16 stitches per side), then round B with (2 tr, ch 2, 2 tr) corners graded 2 dc, 4 hdc, 4 sc, 4 hdc, 2 dc.

US and UK terms

In UK terms the 36-stitch round reads (2 dtr, ch 2, 2 dtr), 1 tr, 2 htr, 2 dc, 2 htr, 1 tr. Use the terms toggle to switch.

Accuracy and limits

• The stitch counts are exact and covered by our automated tests. The grading follows the geometry; your yarn and tension vary, so block the square after the last round.
• The corner and side stitches are fixed (treble corners) whatever stitch your circle was worked in. A circle in tall stitches may need taller corners.

Common mistakes

1. Skipping the remainder fix. If the count does not divide by 4, the sides will not match.
2. Pulling the corners tight. Keep the corner chains loose so the corners can reach.
3. Judging before blocking. A squared circle often looks lumpy until it is blocked.

Tips for more accurate results

• If the sides bow outwards, the middle stitches are too tall: try slip stitches in the centre of each side. If the corners cup, use taller corner stitches or a longer corner chain.
• To join several squared circles into a blanket, plan the layout with the granny square blanket calculator.
• Making the circle first? The flat circle calculator gives the rounds.

Frequently asked questions