Ring size is taken by measuring the inner circumference of the finger in millimeters. A thin paper strip is wrapped around the finger, the point where the ends meet is marked and the strip is measured with a ruler. The millimeter value that comes out is the direct equivalent of the size in the size chart.
The reliability of the result depends on the condition of the finger at the moment of measuring. Fingers swell and thin out according to temperature, salt consumption and the level of movement during the day. For this reason the average of two or three measurements taken at different hours is preferred.
The most common reason for exchange requests in online jewelry shopping is the wrong size. Correct measuring takes a few minutes and largely eliminates the fit problem that would be experienced later.
What Is Ring Size?
Ring size is a standard number that defines the inner space of the ring that sits on the finger. This number has nothing to do with the outer appearance of the ring or the size of the stone.
Size is expressed through two basic values. The inner diameter is the straight distance from one edge of the ring's inner space to the other. The inner circumference is the length of a full turn of that same space.
The most widely used system is European sizing based on the inner circumference. In this system, size 54 means an inner circumference of 54 millimeters. US sizes, on the other hand, are given on a separate scale ranging from 4 to 13.
How Is Ring Size Measured?
Measuring ring size is done with one of three methods: measuring with a paper strip or string, calculating the inner diameter of an existing ring, trying on with the ring sizer set found at jewelers.
The most precise result comes from the ring sizer. Since a real metal ring is put on the finger, both the fit and the passage over the knuckle are tested at the same time. The paper strip method is the closest alternative at home and, when applied carefully, carries a margin of error of one size.
The time of measuring directly affects the result. Since fingers are thinner in the morning hours, the size comes out small. Midday or the evening hours are the most balanced range, reflecting the average state of the finger.
How Is the Ring Size Chart Read?
The size chart shows which size the measured inner circumference value corresponds to. The reading is completed by finding the row closest to the millimeter value obtained.
|
Inner diameter (mm) |
Inner circumference (mm) |
EU / international size |
US size |
|---|---|---|---|
|
15.3 |
48 |
48 |
4.5 |
|
16.0 |
50 |
50 |
5.25 |
|
16.6 |
52 |
52 |
6 |
|
17.2 |
54 |
54 |
7 |
|
17.8 |
56 |
56 |
7.5 |
|
18.5 |
58 |
58 |
8.25 |
|
19.1 |
60 |
60 |
9 |
|
19.7 |
62 |
62 |
10 |
When the measurement result falls between two rows, the larger size is preferred. A slightly wide ring turns comfortably on the finger, while a tight ring gets stuck at the knuckle.
The most frequently seen range is 50 to 56 for women and 58 to 64 for men. The same sizing system applies unchanged to 14K gold ring options as it does to silver designs.
How Is Ring Size Measured at Home With String or a Paper Strip?
This method is applied with a thin paper strip that does not stretch and a ruler with millimeter markings. If string is to be used, a cotton type that does not stretch should be chosen.
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A paper strip about 1 centimeter wide and 10 centimeters long is cut.
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The strip is wrapped around the base of the finger the ring will go on, without squeezing.
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The point where the ends overlap is marked with a pen.
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The strip is opened and the distance between the start and the mark is measured in millimeters with a ruler.
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The resulting value is compared with the inner circumference column in the size chart.
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The same process is repeated at a different hour and the average of the two results is taken.
Wrapping the strip too tightly around the finger is the most common mistake. The strip should sit loosely enough to be slid slightly over the finger.
Does Measuring Ring Size on the Phone Give an Accurate Result?
Measuring ring size on the phone gives an approximate result, not an exact one. Since screen sizes and pixel densities change from device to device, the ring shown on the screen can be scaled differently from its real size.
Most online ring size calculation tools try to get around this problem with calibration. A bank card is placed on the screen and the image is adjusted according to the card's standard width of 85.6 millimeters. When the calibration step is skipped, the ring size result from the screen can deviate by a few sizes.
These tools are useful for getting an idea. Still, verifying the result with a paper strip measurement before the final decision is the safe approach.
How Is Size Calculated From an Existing Ring?
If there is a ring that fits the finger exactly, the size is calculated directly from the inner diameter of that ring. The ring is placed on a flat surface and the widest point of the inner space is measured with a ruler.
When the inner diameter value obtained is multiplied by 3.14, the inner circumference is found. For example, an inner diameter of 17 millimeters corresponds to approximately 53.4 millimeters. This result is read as size 54 in the chart.
Band width is also taken into account during ring size calculation. Thin-banded women's ring models and thick-banded designs can correspond to different sizes on the same finger. For a wide-banded ring, half a size larger is generally preferred.
What Should Be Considered When Measuring Ring Size?
The right size is found by evaluating several variables together rather than by a single measurement. The headings below summarize the points that should be checked before measuring.
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Time of Measuring: A measurement taken towards the evening reflects the average state of the finger.
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Ambient Temperature: In the cold fingers get thinner, and in the heat they swell noticeably.
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Band Width: Wide-banded designs wrap the finger more; for men's ring models in this group, choosing half a size larger is common.
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Knuckle Thickness: If the knuckle is thicker than the base of the finger, the size is determined so that it passes over the knuckle.
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Repeating the Measurement: Two measurements taken on different days are more reliable than a one-time result.
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The Right Finger: Since every finger has a different thickness, the measurement is taken from the finger the ring will go on.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ring Size (FAQ)
Is ring size different for the right hand and the left hand?
Yes, there is generally a difference of half a size to one size between the two hands. Since the dominant hand is used more, its muscles and joints are a little more developed. In a right-handed person, the fingers of the right hand are mostly thicker. For this reason the measurement should be taken from the hand the ring will go on.
Does ring size change in winter and summer?
Yes, the change of season affects finger volume. In hot weather the veins widen, so fingers swell and the ring feels tighter. In the cold the veins narrow, so the ring loosens. The difference between the two is generally half a size. For this reason it is recommended that the measurement be taken in a temperate environment, neither while cold nor while sweating.
Can ring size be enlarged or reduced afterwards?
On plain, stoneless banded rings, a size change is possible most of the time. The jeweler enlarges it by adding to the band or reduces it by removing a piece. Stones that wrap around the band, plated surfaces or designs with closed workmanship may not be suitable for this process. Information about the structure of the product should be obtained before the change.
Which size is chosen if the knuckle is thicker than the base of the finger?
In this case the size is determined according to the number that passes comfortably over the knuckle. Otherwise the ring cannot be put on the finger at all. If the difference between the knuckle measurement and the base measurement is more than one size, the middle of the two is preferred. Wide-banded models also reduce the turning of the ring on this type of finger.
Does the width of the ring band affect the choice of size?
Yes, as the band gets wider the ring wraps a larger surface of the finger and feels tighter. In designs 6 millimeters wide and above, half a size larger is generally chosen. In thin-banded models, the measurement result can be applied directly. This is the main reason why two rings of the same size feel different.
