What's your ring size? Shopping for rings (especially online) can be a minefield if you don't know your size - and buying the wrong sized ring can be frustrating and possibly expensive. So how do you measure your ring size and make sure your size is right? It can be tricky to figure out, so we're here to help.
When it comes to ring sizes everybody is different: a smaller framed person might have larger than average fingers and vice versa, so there's no easy way to predict what your ring size might be based on your clothing size or anything else.
If you're purchasing an expensive or sentimental ring, getting the size right is especially important because you don't want to risk losing it or finding it too tight to wear.
While you can be a lot more flexible with sizes for less expensive rings (and especially if you're happy to wear them on any finger), it's still important to have a good idea of the size range you need.
Because we want shopping for rings online to be easier for you, we're here to help with this handy Ring Size Measuring Guide.
Let's get started ...
OUR TOP RING SIZING TIPS:
Here are our top tips for measuring your ring size at home. Of course, you can also visit a manufacturing jewellery store in person to have your ring size measured.
WHEN TO MEASURE
Keep in mind that your finger size will change throughout each day and over longer timeframes. Your fingers will tend to be larger in the evenings and can be affected by hormones, weather, medication and more.
Given this, it’s a good idea to measure for a ring multiple times over the course of a day - or even a few days - to find the best size for you.
Most importantly the ring size you choose should feel comfortable in the evening when you are feeling warm and your fingers are likely to expand in size.
HOW SHOULD A RING FIT?
Ultimately this comes down to what you feel comfortable with. But as a guide, your ring should fit your finger well enough so it won’t fall off, but it should also be loose enough to fit over your knuckle without too much difficulty - and to allow for natural changes in finger size which happen throughout the day (and the month for women!).
WHAT IF YOUR EXACT RING SIZE ISN'T AVAILABLE
Because there are so many different ring sizes, jewellery stores - including our online jewellery shop - will carry a limited range covering average ring sizes, particularly for less expensive ring designs. If your exact ring size isn't available in the jewellery shop and custom sizes aren't an option, what do you do?
The best bet is to go for the size that's closest to your ring size measurement, provided the difference isn't too great. If you're outside of the average sizes carried by the store, then you may be out of luck as a ring that's way too big or too small for any of your fingers is unlikely to work out for you, no matter how much you might like it.
I don't recommend purchasing wedding, engagement or similar rings without getting an accurately sized ring made for you, given how important (and often expensive) these rings are and that you'll most likely be wearing them all day, every day.
SHOULD YOU GO LARGER OR SMALLER?
Your ring should fit your finger well enough so it won’t fall off, but it should also be loose enough to be comfortable and fit over your knuckle without too much difficulty - and to accommodate for changes in finger size each day.
If you’re between ring sizes or there's a reasonable difference in your size throughout the day, a good thing to bear in mind is that it’s always better to go for a slightly larger size than one that’s too small, so you should err in that direction. There's nothing worse than a ring that's too tight on your finger.
WIDE BAND RINGS
If you’re purchasing a ring that has a wide band (over 7mm or 0.27”) this will require a larger size. You should go up half a size using US numerical sizes or a full size in the Australian and British alphabetical ring sizing system.
LARGE KNUCKLES
If you have larger knuckles don’t forget that you’ll need the ring to slide over your knuckle without too much difficulty. This is particularly an issue for those who have arthritis in their finger joints, so take special care with measuring your ring size if that's the case.
To take this into account you should also measure your knuckle as well as the part of your finger where the ring will sit. Choose size in between your finger size and knuckle size and check to be sure that a ring that size will fit over your knuckle.
WHICH MEASURING SYSTEM TO USE?
To add to the complexity of ring sizes, different countries use different measuring systems. The two most common are:
Alphabetical (or Wheat Sheaf) ring sizes used in Australia, the UK and other countries (for men and women)
Numerical ring sizes used in the US, Canada and much of Asia (for men and women)
To order a ring you can use either the numerical ring size system or the alphabetical sizing system. Both systems are used for both men's and women's ring sizes. Jewellers in different countries will be used to their local ring size system, but they should be able to convert the sizes easily enough.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR RING SIZE:
GET A RING SIZING KIT
For an accurate ring size measurement at home, we strongly recommend you purchase a ring sizer. You can buy a ring sizer at Amazon
It's worth it for your peace of mind, plus you can keep the ring sizer handy and reuse it to keep track of your ring size over time and to check the sizes of friends and relatives.
GO TO A JEWELLER
If you have the time and knowledge of a local manufacturing jeweller or higher-end jewellery shop, then go in and have your fingers measured professionally. Take note of the sizes of the fingers you'd like to purchase rings for so you have a record.
Be aware that your fingers may increase or decrease in size over time with weight gain or loss, as well as due to other factors, so it's worth rechecking at a later date.
This article was written by Simone Walsh. Images were changed.