About the Macrame Cord Calculator
This macrame cord calculator estimates how long to cut each cord for a wall hanging, plant hanger, table runner or keychain, and how much cord to buy in total. Enter the finished knotted length, how densely the piece is knotted, the fringe you want, and how many cords you will cut. If the cords are folded in half onto a dowel or ring with a lark’s head knot, the cut length is doubled automatically.
Knotting eats cord: a strand worked in square knots or half hitches can use four to six times its finished length, while an open, airy design may need only three times. The multiplier is a rule of thumb used by macrame makers, so it is best for planning and shopping; cut a test strand for your exact pattern when cord is expensive.
Fringe and the tail you need to hold while knotting are added on top without a multiplier, because those parts are not knotted. Results are given in your chosen unit plus metres and yards so you can compare spools and rolls.
How to use the macrame cord calculator
- 1Pick inches or centimetres.
- 2Enter the finished knotted length of the piece.
- 3Choose the knot density that best describes your pattern.
- 4Add the fringe length and a handling allowance, and set whether cords are folded.
- 5Enter the number of cords to see the cut length and the total to buy.
Formula and method
Each working strand needs its finished knotted length multiplied by a knot-density factor k — about 3× for open designs, 4× for typical wall hangings, and 5–6× for solid square-knot work — because every knot wraps cord around its neighbours. Fringe and the handling tail are added at face value since they are not knotted.
Most projects fold each cut cord in half over a dowel or ring with a lark’s head knot, which makes two working strands from one cord, so the cut length is twice the strand length. Multiply by the number of cut cords for the total to buy. Thick cord uses a little more per knot than thin cord, so lean towards the higher multiplier for 5 mm and up.
- k
- Knot density multiplier (3–6)
- finished
- Finished length of the knotted section
- cords
- Number of cords you cut
Worked examples
24" wall hanging, 12 folded cords
Each strand needs 24 × 4 = 96" for knotting plus 6" fringe and 6" handling, or 108". Folded in half, each cord is cut at 216" (18 ft). Twelve cords use 2,592" — exactly 72 yards or about 65.8 m.
Plant hanger, 90 cm, light knotting, 8 folded cords
A light design needs 90 × 3 = 270 cm of cord per strand, plus 20 cm fringe and 15 cm handling = 305 cm. Folded, each cord is 6.1 m, and eight cords need 48.8 m in total.
Dense table runner, unfolded cords
With dense knotting each cord needs 36 × 5 = 180" plus 4" fringe and 4" allowance = 188". The cords are not folded, so 20 cords at 188" use 3,760" — about 104.4 yards.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I cut macrame cords?+
A common rule is four times the finished length for each strand, doubled if the cord is folded in half at the top. So a 24" hanging needs strands of about 96" plus fringe, and cords cut at roughly 16–18 ft.
Why does macrame need so much cord?+
Every knot wraps one or more cords around others, so the strand travels much further than the finished length. Square knots and half-hitch rows use the most; open designs with spaces use the least.
What if I run out of cord mid-project?+
You can add a new length by tucking it into a knot and hiding the ends at the back, but joins are visible on fine work. It is easier to cut generously — leftovers can become fringe, tassels or keychains.
Do the filler cords need the same length?+
No. Filler cords that run straight through the centre of square knots barely shrink, so they need little more than the finished length plus fringe, while the knotting cords around them need the full multiplier.
How do I convert macrame cord to metres or yards?+
Divide inches by 39.37 for metres or by 36 for yards; divide centimetres by 100 for metres. The calculator shows totals in both so you can compare 3 mm and 5 mm spools sold by the metre or yard.