This free macrame cord calculator tells you how long to cut each cord and how much cord to buy. Running out of cord halfway through a wall hanging is the worst. Enter the finished length, how dense your knotting is, the fringe, and whether cords are folded in half at the dowel. You get the cut length for each cord, the total cord to buy, and how many spools that is.
How to use the Macrame Cord Calculator
- Choose your unit and enter the finished knotted length and the fringe length.
- Pick the knot density and how the cords are mounted.
- Enter the number of cords you will cut, plus cord diameter and spool length if you know them.
- Press Calculate cord to get the cut length per cord, total cord and spools needed.
Cut one cord to the macrame cord calculator length and knot a test section before you cut the rest. For the history of the craft and its core knots, see Wikipedia’s macramé article.
Macrame cord formula
Density multipliers explained
| Pattern style | Multiplier | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Light | 3× | Spaced square knots, long gaps, plant hangers with open sections |
| Medium | 4× | Typical wall hangings mixing square knots and half hitches |
| Heavy | 5× | Tight alternating square knots, berry knots, dense panels |
| Very heavy | 6× | Solid rows of double half hitches, spirals, coiling |
Adding a little extra is always cheaper than joining cord mid-project. Joins are hard to hide in macrame.
Frequently asked questions
How much macrame cord do I need for a wall hanging?
A 24-inch medium-density wall hanging with 6-inch fringe and 12 cords folded in half needs about 17 ft per cord and about 204 ft (68 yards) in total.
How long should I cut cords for a plant hanger?
A 36-inch plant hanger with light knotting usually needs cords 4–5 times the finished length before folding, so 12–15 ft per cord folded in half.
Does cord thickness change how much I need?
Yes. Thicker cord makes bigger knots and uses more length per knot. If you switch from 3 mm to 5 mm cord, increase the multiplier by about 0.5.
What if I run out of cord?
Add a new length by tucking it inside a square-knot sinnet as a filler, or hide the join under a knot, then trim the ends later.
What is the macrame rule of thumb for cord length?
A common rule is to cut each cord about 4 times the finished length, or about 8 times if it is folded in half over a dowel or ring. Dense knots such as square knots use more; open patterns use less.
Does fringe count in the macrame cord length?
Yes. Add the fringe on top of the knotted length. When a cord is folded in half, both ends hang down, so the fringe counts twice in the cut length.
What cord size is best for beginners?
Single-strand cotton cord of 3 to 5 mm is the easiest to learn with: it is soft, the knots show clearly and it combs out into neat fringe. Use thinner cord for jewellery and plant hangers, and 5 mm or more for large wall hangings.
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Results are estimates for general information. Check critical decisions with a qualified professional.