How to Find Your Ring Size at Home Without Guessing
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Every ring in my shop is one of a kind, and each one is listed with its exact size. So if you’ve ever found the perfect ring and thought “but is that my size?”, this post is for you.
Method 1: Measure a ring you already own (most accurate)
If you have a ring that fits the finger you’re shopping for, use it.
- Lay the ring flat on a ruler.
- Measure the inside diameter in millimeters, from inner edge to inner edge.
- Find that number in the chart below.
Measure twice. Half a millimeter makes a difference.
Method 2: The string or paper strip method
- Cut a thin strip of paper or use a piece of non-stretchy string.
- Wrap it around the base of your finger, snug but not tight.
- Mark where it overlaps.
- Lay it flat and measure the length in millimeters. That’s your circumference.
- Find it in the chart.
This method is less accurate than measuring a ring, because string stretches and paper slips. Do it three times and use the average.
Method 3: A ring sizer
Plastic ring sizers are inexpensive and easy to find online. Or visit any local jeweler and ask to be sized. Most will do it for free in a couple of minutes.
US ring size chart
| US size | Inside diameter (mm) | Circumference (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 15.7 | 49.3 |
| 6 | 16.5 | 51.9 |
| 7 | 17.3 | 54.4 |
| 8 | 18.1 | 57.0 |
| 9 | 19.0 | 59.5 |
| 10 | 19.8 | 62.1 |
| 11 | 20.6 | 64.6 |
Each quarter size is about 0.2 mm of diameter, or about 0.6 mm of circumference. So a size 8.25 is about 18.3 mm inside.
Tips that save you a return
- Measure at the end of the day. Fingers swell during the day and in warm weather.
- Don’t measure cold hands. Fingers shrink in the cold.
- Check your knuckle. If your knuckle is bigger than the base of your finger, the ring needs to slide over it. Size between the two.
- Wide bands fit tighter. For a band wider than about 6 mm, go up a quarter to a half size.
- Your hands aren’t identical. Your dominant hand is often slightly bigger.
How to secretly find someone’s ring size
Buying a ring as a gift? Here’s the sneaky method:
- “Borrow” a ring they wear on the right finger.
- Measure the inside diameter, or press it into a bar of soap or trace the inside on paper.
- Put it back before they notice.
If you can’t get a ring, a pendant or earrings are a safer surprise. My holiday gift guide has ideas.
Not your exact size?
Every ring I make is built around one stone, so I can’t always make the same design in another size. If you find a ring you love that’s close to your size, message me and ask. Some stone-set rings can be adjusted slightly, and some can’t, depending on the design.
Browse my handmade rings, each listed with its exact size.
What’s your ring size? I’m curious which sizes are most common.