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Calcimator

Fiber-to-Yarn Yield Calculator

Finished yarn yardage from raw fiber weight.

Inputs

%
%

Results

Estimated total yards

4,212

Yards per pound7,200
Spinnable fiber (oz)9.36
Clean weight (oz)10.4
Overall yield (%)58.5%
Waste fiber (oz)6.64
Finished yarn weight (oz)9.36
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter the raw fiber weight in ounces (16 oz = 1 lb of raw fleece or fiber).
  2. Enter the target WPI of the finished yarn.
  3. Set the number of plies.
  4. Enter the wash yield percentage — raw fleece is typically 50–70%; washed fiber is 90–95%.
  5. Enter the prep loss percentage for carding, combing, or picking waste (typically 5–15%).
  6. Read the total estimated yards and the spinnable fiber weight in ounces to know how much usable fiber you have.

How the result changes with Target WPI

Target WPIEstimated total yards
6.91,392.6
2214,157
3944,489.3
5485,293

What each input means

Raw fiber weight (oz)
Weight of raw/unwashed fiber in ounces (16 oz = 1 lb).
Target WPI
Wraps per inch of your target yarn weight.
Number of plies
Number of singles plied together.
Wash yield (%)
Percentage of weight remaining after washing. Raw fleece: 50-70%, washed fleece: 90-95%.
Prep loss (%)
Additional fiber lost during carding, combing, or picking.

What each result means

Estimated total yards
Approximate finished yarn yardage from your fiber.
Yards per pound
Yardage per pound based on WPI (McMorran's balance).
Spinnable fiber (oz)
Clean, prepped fiber weight ready to spin.
Clean weight (oz)
Fiber weight after washing, before prep losses.
Overall yield (%)
Percentage of raw weight that becomes spinnable fiber.
Waste fiber (oz)
Total fiber lost to washing and processing.
Finished yarn weight (oz)
Weight of the finished yarn.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    Raw fiber weight (oz) = 16, Target WPI = 12, Number of plies = 2, Wash yield (%) = 65 = 5 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Estimated total yards
    Estimated total yards = spinnableWeightOz * yardsPerOz
    4212 = 4212
  3. Calculate Yards per pound
    Yards per pound = (wpi * wpi * 100) / plies
    7200 = 7200
  4. Calculate Spinnable fiber
    Spinnable fiber = cleanWeightOz * (1 - prepLossPct / 100)
    9.36 = 9.36

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