Getting the ring size right is a must for whatsoever engagement ring. After all, you've invested a lot in selecting the perfect band and planning the proposal, so naturally you'll desire the ring to fit right out of the box.

In this blog, we'll dispel some common myths floating effectually on the Cyberspace and provide some reliable tips on how to determine her ring size, including an international ring size chart, and then you can get it correct.

Before yous read whatever farther, here'south a quick note on the importance of determining the right band size. In full general, rings with pavé and channel settings cannot be resized hands. It also can be very difficult to resize eternity/ceremony rings (that is, those with diamonds around the entire band). Examples of other band styles that cannot be easily resized are given below.

In this blog we comprehend:

DON'T use a piece of cord or newspaper to measure ring size
Exercise ask a jeweler to mensurate ring size
Guess ring size with a bar of soap
Determine band size with paper and pencil
Ask a friend or family member well-nigh ring size
A few more than tips about band size
Determine ring size with a band size nautical chart

DON'T use a piece of string or paper to mensurate ring size

Some websites suggest wrapping a slice of string around the finger, marking the identify where the ends overlap and then finding the corresponding size on a ring size chart. Other sites suggest using a strip of paper to make up one's mind ring size, again past wrapping the strip around the finger and then marker the paper with a pen or pencil where it overlaps. Both methods lead to inaccuracies: String tin can stretch and paper can be easily damaged. Humidity and temperature can cause paper to shrink and curl.

As well, when y'all measure ring size this mode, you're non taking into consideration the size the band needs to be to slip over the finger articulation or knuckle. For most people, the joint is larger than the rest of the finger. If you simply measure where the band sits on the finger, she might not exist able to push information technology over the articulation when the time comes to put it on for the first time. Plus, you lose the element of surprise with this method, and if it'southward not a surprise, y'all should ask your jeweler for help. Considering the symbolic value and toll of an engagement ring, yous'll want to determine ring size using more than authentic methods. Read on for some reliable ones.

An 18.70 ct emerald cut diamond engagement ring flanked with two trapezoid-shaped diamonds.

An xviii.70 carat (ct) emerald cutting diamond is the star of this engagement band. Two trapezoid-shaped diamonds flank information technology. An accurate ring size is critical for such a big stone, to ensure that it fits snugly but comfortably. Photo: Robert Weldon/GIA. Courtesy: A individual collector and Mona Lee Nesseth, Custom Estate Jewels


Practice ask a jeweler to mensurate band size

The best way to go the correct fit is to take your honey visit the jeweler with you and have the jeweler determine her ring size. A jeweler will probably use a gear up of finger gauges, often called a band sizer, which contains a serial of metallic bands in ½ size increments that slide onto the finger to mensurate it for the virtually secure fit and best comfort. Your jeweler volition also know how to cistron in temperature, humidity, altitude and even time of day, which can also bear upon finger size. This takes any incertitude and guessing out of the process.

A set of finger gauges used to determine ring size.

A set of finger gauges is the most accurate way to determine her ring size. Photo: Eric Welch/GIA

If you desire to keep the element of surprise, yous can always "borrow" a band from her jewelry box and take it to a jeweler yourself. Only make sure it's a ring she often wears on a ring finger as opposed to i she wears on her middle finger, thumb or index finger, as these will not exist the same size. In addition, for a person who is right-handed, the left ring finger is typically smaller than the right band finger by about half a size and vice versa.  Permit the jeweler know if the ring y'all've brought is usually worn on the right or left manus and which hand is ascendant.

To measure an existing ring, the jeweler will typically utilize a ring mandrel – a tapered cylindrical tool – that is marked with ring sizes. As with a finger gauge set, it tin can measure in half besides as total sizes. If the band is unusually broad, have the measurement from the center.

If none of these options piece of work for you, some online merchants offering plastic ring sizers. These can requite a fairly accurate measurement of her ring size.

A ring mandrel used to determine ring size.

A ring mandrel is used to decide ring size for an existing ring. Photo: Eric Welch/GIA. Courtesy: G.R. Gems & Diamonds, International


Estimate ring size with a bar of lather

Another way to secretly gauge ring size is by using soap. Printing 1 of her favorite rings (one she wears on her ring finger) into a bar of soap until it creates an impression. Be sure to carefully wipe the ring make clean of whatever residue and then she doesn't get suspicious of your plan. Bring the bar of soap to your jeweler, who tin can utilise the markings to determine her band size. Remember, though, to tell the jeweler which paw she wears the ring on and whether information technology'southward her dominant mitt.

An engagement ring with a twisted band style.

It'due south important to become her ring size right, especially if you select an engagement band with a twisted band. This style is more hard to resize. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com


Determine ring size with paper and pencil

Borrow one of your dearest's favorite rings (again, a band she wears on her ring finger), preferably ane with a plain and unadorned band. Get a pencil and trace the inside of the band on a slice of paper. This is a good way to determine her ring size.

A 1.55 ct diamond halo engagement ring with bead-set melee.

A ane.55 ct diamond is cradled in a halo of bead-set melee. The tiny diamonds set into the thicker band may make this ring hard and more expensive to resize. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com


Inquire a friend or family member about band size

Still having trouble? Ask her friends or family members if they know her ring size. Asking her mom or a friend to go shopping with you may also be helpful.

Rose gold Toi et Moi triple band engagement ring.

Rose gold, a sculptural quality and a nod to vintage Toi et Moi ("you lot and me") rings are a few of the elements that make upwardly this unusual – and beautiful – appointment ring. Because of the triple band this band would crave more work to resize. Courtesy: Laurence Bruyninckx – Antwerp


A few more than tips most band size

If you're even so nervous nigh determining her ring size, here are a few things you should know for extra assurance that the band you're getting will be the perfect fit:

  • Buy a larger ring: It is easier to remove metal from a ring that'southward too large than add metal to a ring that's too small.
  • Shank size matters: Rings with wide shanks usually need to be a chip larger, as they will fit more snugly. Bridal sets wider than 4 or 5 mm when the band and appointment band are worn together require special consideration. Be sure to consult your jeweler most how best to handle this.
  • Beads: Minor gold balls can be added to the inside of a band that'southward too big to make it fit tighter and keep it from turning on the finger. This is especially helpful for people with larger finger joints. Additionally, jewelers tin can install mechanical shanks for people suffering from arthritis.
  • Weather condition, distance and time of 24-hour interval: Fingers shrink in the cold and swell in the heat. Consequently, not just tin can a measurement taken on a winter day differ from one taken mid-summer, only a measurement taken on a cool morning tin can also differ from one taken in the afternoon, every bit the temperature rises. Likewise, high and depression humidity can crusade a finger to swell or shrink. So can altitude – like flying and mountain climbing. Be mindful of this when you choice her ring size.

1.34 ct heart shaped diamond engagement ring accented with melee.

Non only will she autumn for this ane.34 ct middle shaped diamond engagement ring accented with melee, but she'll be fifty-fifty more than surprised that you got her ring size right. Courtesy: Yael Designs

  • A snug fit: The ring should be snug on her finger, but non so tight as to crusade discomfort. Make certain she can slide the ring over her knuckle, but it won't fall off accidentally while she is working, playing or even but washing her hands.

A 2.00 carat (ct) emerald cut diamond engagement ring is framed by milgrain and another 0.75 carats of diamonds in the shank.

A 2.00 ct emerald cut diamond is framed past milgrain (tiny metal beads). Another 0.75 carats of diamonds sparkle in the shank. If the diamonds go all the way effectually, this would be a difficult ring to resize, and then determining your loved 1's ring size before making the purchase is critical. Courtesy: 1stdibs.com


Determine ring size with a band size chart

Different countries use unlike scales to measure ring size. We make sense of these differing standards in the international ring size chart below.

International Ring Size Chart

Inside Diameter Millimeters (mm) Within Circumference  Millimeters (mm) U.S. and Canada U.1000., Europe and Australia Switzerland Asia (Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan)
14.one 44.three 3 F 4 4
14.3 44.9 3.25 F.v 5.25 5
14.v 45.six 3.v K
14.vii 46.2 iii.75 G.five half dozen.5 6
14.9 46.8 4 H 7
15.one 47.iv 4.25 H.v 7.75
15.iii 48.ane 4.5 I 8
15.5 48.7 4.75 1.5 9
15.7 49.3 5 J 9
15.9 l.0 v.25 J.v ten
xvi.ane fifty.six 5.5 1000 x
xvi.3 51.2 5.75 K.five 11.75
16.5 51.eight 6 L 12.75 11
16.7 52.v 6.25 L.five 12
16.nine 53.ane 6.5 One thousand xiv 13
17.ane 53.7 6.75 M.five
17.iii 54.three 7 N 15.25 xiv
17.5 55.0 seven.25 N.5
17.7 55.half-dozen 7.5 O sixteen.5 15
17.9 56.2 7.75 O.5
18.1 56.9 8 P 17.75 16
18.three 57.five 8.25 P.5
18.5 58.one eight.5 Q 17
18.viii 59.1 eight.75 Q.5 19
19 59.vii nine R 18
nineteen.2 sixty.3 nine.25 R.5 20.25
19.four 60.nine 9.5 S 19
19.half dozen 61.six 9.75 S.5 21.5
19.eight 62.two x T xx
xx 62.eight 10.25 T.5 21
20.ii 63.5 ten.5 U 22.75 22
20.4 64.ane 10.75 U.5
twenty.6 64.7 11 V 23
twenty.eight 65.iii 11.25 V.5 25
21 66.0 eleven.5 Westward 24
21.2 66.half dozen 11.75 W.5
21.iv 67.2 12 Ten 27.5 25
21.6 67.9 12.25 X.5
21.8 68.5 12.5 Y 28.75 26
22 69.1 12.75 Z
22.2 69.7 13 Z.5 27
22.four 70.4 13.25
22.6 71.0 13.5 Z1

Now that you're armed with these tips on how to determine band size, you'll be ready to surprise your bridehoped-for with a ring that fits perfectly on her finger. Our 12 Tips for Buying an Date Ring volition likewise help you lot on your quest to notice the perfect engagement ring and feel confident about your buy.