Guides
Ring Sizing Guide
Ring sizing seems simple until it is not. A well-sized ring should slip over the knuckle with slight resistance and sit without rotating. Getting there requires knowing a few things most buyers do not.
A ring that fits correctly sits at the base of the finger without rotating freely or leaving a deep indent. It slips over the knuckle with slight resistance. It does not spin unless the finger is cold or extended straight up. These are the functional criteria, and meeting them requires measuring correctly rather than guessing.
Most people do not know their ring size precisely, and many people have never had their finger professionally sized. The result is rings that are either too loose to wear safely or too tight to remove comfortably. Neither outcome is acceptable for a piece of jewelry meant to be worn daily.
The US
Sizing System
Ring sizes in the United States are expressed as numbers from approximately 3 to 13, with half sizes (4.5, 5.5, 6.5, etc.) in between. Each full size represents a difference of approximately 0.8 millimeters in internal diameter and about 2.5 millimeters in internal circumference.
Women’s ring sizes typically fall between 5 and 8, with size 6 and 7 being the most common. Men’s ring sizes typically fall between 8 and 12, with sizes 9 and 10 being common. These are general patterns; actual finger sizes vary considerably across individuals.
How to Measure
at Home
The most reliable home method uses a strip of paper or thin string and a ruler.
Wrap the strip snugly around the base of the finger you are sizing, at the point where the ring will sit. Mark where the strip overlaps, then lay it flat against a ruler and measure the length in millimeters. This is the internal circumference.
Divide the circumference by 3.14 (pi) to get the internal diameter in millimeters. Compare that diameter to a ring size conversion chart to find your size.
Two important variables: finger size changes with temperature and time of day. Fingers are largest in the evening and when warm. Fingers are smallest in the morning and when cold. For a ring meant for daily wear, measure in the afternoon or evening when fingers are at their typical daily size.
If your knuckle is significantly larger than the base of your finger, size for the knuckle rather than the base, and accept that the ring will have some movement at the base. Alternatively, a jeweler can fit a sizing adjuster on the inside of the shank.
Width
Affects Sizing
A ring’s width changes how a given size feels on the finger. A wide band, more than 6mm, presses against more surface area of the finger and creates more friction. A ring that fits comfortably as a 6 in a 2mm band may feel tight in the same size in a 8mm band.
The practical rule: go up half a size for every additional 2mm of band width beyond your base size. If you wear a 6 in a 2mm band, order a 6.5 in a 5mm band and a 7 in an 8mm band. This is a general guideline; the best approach is to try the specific width on a ring mandrel at a jeweler’s before committing.
Professional Sizing
Is Worth It
For a significant piece of fine jewelry, a professional sizing by a jeweler with ring mandrels and proper tools is worth the ten minutes it takes. The mandrel measures both base of finger and knuckle in the same session, giving the jeweler what they need to make a specific recommendation for your finger’s particular combination of knuckle and base measurements.
If you are buying the ring as a surprise and cannot size the recipient, a standard starting point is size 6 for women and size 10 for men. These are the most statistically common sizes. A ring can always be resized after the fact.
What People
Ask Us
What is the most common ring size for women? Size 6 and 7 are the most common women’s ring sizes in the United States, with size 6 being the single most common. However, finger sizes vary considerably, and sizing assumptions based on statistics are less reliable than a proper measurement.
Does ring size change over time? Yes. Finger size changes with age, weight changes, pregnancy, and health conditions. A ring sized correctly at 25 may no longer fit at 45. Significant weight changes (gain or loss of 20 pounds or more) often require resizing. Annual inspection of fit is good practice for rings worn daily.
How much does it cost to resize a ring? Resizing by one or two sizes typically costs $30 to $100 at most jewelry shops. Eternity bands and rings with stones all around the shank are more difficult and expensive to resize, and some cannot be resized without damaging the setting. Confirm resizability before purchasing a ring with extensive stone settings.
Can I measure my ring size with an existing ring I already own? Yes. Place the ring on a flat surface and measure the interior diameter in millimeters using calipers or a ruler. Compare that measurement to a ring size conversion chart. This method is quite accurate if the existing ring fits the same finger correctly.
What if I am between ring sizes? Order the larger size. A ring that is half a size too large can be worn with a sizing adjuster (a small plastic or metal guard inside the shank that is removable). A ring that is half a size too small cannot be worn comfortably and will require resizing.
Continue Reading
- The Craft Behind Ring Sizing
- Stretch Band Rings and the EasyFit Shank: Solving the Knuckle Problem
- The Los Angeles Diamond District
Explore the Bez Ambar fine jewelry collection.
Ready to start your own piece? Contact the studio for a private consultation.
Commission a Piece of Your Own
Every piece is designed and made in the Los Angeles atelier, from the first reading of the stone to the final pass of the setting wheel. Enquire to begin a commission.
