How To Measure Your Ring Size At Home

Like searching for a stellar swimsuit or the perfect pair of jeans, shopping for a ring comes with its own guessing game of sizing. Simply perhaps even more so than apparel, as you may not know your ring size off hand—no pun intended. Afterward all, unless yous're anticipating a proposal, how often does band size actually come upwards?

Luckily, at that place are ways to effigy out your band size at home with piddling more effort than lifting a finger. Follow these simple tips and tricks to discover your fit before yous buy that bling or pick an engagement band for your special someone.

How to measure ring size with string

A split of a hand, ruler and scissors and a photo of a hand with a thin strap of paper wrapped around the ring finger — Credit: Reviewed/Hannah Southwick

While most jewelers can size you for a ring, it's too easy to figure out at abode using but a 6-inch piece of string (or ribbon, paper, etc.), a ruler, and a pen. First, wrap the cord effectually your finger snuggly and mark where the ends meet, says Catherine Horrilleno, the client feel managing director at Quick Jewelry Repairs. Then, measure the difference between the mark and the end of the string in millimeters using your ruler. From at that place, consult a band size chart to see what size your measurements friction match up with. Fifty-fifty if you lot're planning to wear rings above your knuckle, the procedure is the same; just mensurate the function of your finger you're planning to place the ring on.

Sizes are standard, significant this ring sizing advice should—ahem—ring truthful for everyone. Both men'southward and women's ring sizing is based on the same millimeter measurements, says Kathryn Money, the SVP of merchandising and retail at jewelry make Vivid Earth. The boilerplate woman's band finger size is a half dozen, while the average for men is between an eight and a x.

Other things to keep in mind when taking ring sizing into your own hands? As you might have noticed while struggling to slide on a ring post-shower, temperature can touch on finger size. "Most people detect they take puffier fingers in the morning, but that their fingers compress to their normal size during the day," Money explained. "Nosotros recommend sizing yourself in the afternoon or evening, and not soon after doing anything that could crusade swelling, like exercising, experiencing temperature changes, or eating salty foods." Additionally, it's best to measure the ring finger of the correct hand, equally the fingers of your dominant hand might exist slightly bigger.

How to measure your band size using a ring yous already have

If yous already have a ring that fits properly but can't recall its size, print out a band sizing nautical chart—making sure it's at 100% page scale—and place your band over the different outlines to see which it matches best. If you cull this method, match the inside border of the band to the circle on the page, recommends Brooklyn-based jewelry make Catbird'south sizing guide.

How to measure your band size using a ring sizer

While ring sizers follow the same principle every bit the string method, they eliminate the need to marking and mensurate. Wrap the ring sizer around your finger and cheque which number lines upwardly with the slit in the sizer. "Using an bodily sizing tool volition be 1 of the most accurate methods for determining ring size at home," says Money.

Many jewelry brands have the option to request or impress a band sizer earlier buying. Y'all can also buy a general ring sizer online, including this one on Amazon for $three.99, which has over nine,000 reviews.

Does the type of ring affect what size you lot take?

A green ruler propped up next to a stack of gold rings — Credit: Reviewed/Hannah Southwick

In addition to the size of your finger, it'southward also important to consider the size and shape of the ring you're planning to purchase. Wider, thicker bands will create more "resistance" when sliding your band on and off, says Coin. "This means that you will typically need to choose a slightly larger band size for chunky, substantial bands than […] for thinner bands," she explained, noting that men's rings tend to exist wider. You might too consider sizing up if you're planning on stacking several smaller rings at once, which would increase "the total surface expanse of metal encircling your finger." To avert the rings getting as well tight, Money recommends selecting a half size up when stacking three rings or more than.

Rings featuring large, heavy stones also warrant special consideration. Horrilleno recommends selecting a size that's "a bit tighter" than usual, as they have "a tendency to swing on the finger."

How to secretly mensurate ring size

Before popping the question—and a ring on their finger—you'll demand to know your special someone's ring size. But if you're ownership a ring for a surprise proposal, using a band sizer or the string method might be out of the question. Try asking people close to the band recipient if they know their size, or, as Money recommends, take them ring shopping "for fun" so they can get professionally sized.

If you'd rather non risk ruining the surprise, y'all could try borrowing ane of the rings they wear often and trace the inner and outer edges—all without leaving a figurative trace. Money suggests tracing several times and then that the image looks "consequent," allowing a jeweler to "figure out the inner diameter from your sketch." Just make sure you lot selection a ring to measure out that'southward "about the same width" as the one yous're ownership.

However, if you don't succeed in secretly figuring out a specific size, Horrilleno says your best bet is to opt for a larger size "that mode they can vesture the band in one case you've popped the question."

How do you know if a ring fits properly?

Once you lot're able to try your band on, Horrilleno recommends shaking your mitt to meet if the 1 y'all picked "has a lot of motion or wobbles on your finger"—telltale signs it's too loose. On the other hand, Money says y'all should be able to "comfortably rotate your ring clockwise and counterclockwise" on your finger, or else it may be likewise tight. "Rings that fit the all-time should exist snug but should also be easy to wiggle on and off—including over your knuckles," she advised.

What to do if y'all get your ring size wrong

Whether purchasing a ring for yourself or someone else, no need to despair if you don't get information technology right the offset time effectually. Resizing is an option, although Horrilleno cautioned that she typically doesn't propose changing a ring more four sizes, as extensive adjustments tin ruin the integrity of the piece. She besides noted that, while traditional wedding bands are some of the "easiest" style rings to resize, it'southward the base metal, manner, and pattern of a ring that decide if—and how much—you can resize a certain ring. "Rings made of copper, titanium, tungsten, aluminum, and ceramic cannot be sized traditionally," Horrilleno says. "Sizing requires soldering and these materials burn under estrus." In add-on to ring resizing, Money says you tin can besides tighten a ring using metal sizing beads or ring inserts.

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Prices were accurate at the fourth dimension this article was published merely may change over time.