Correct ring size allows a ring to slide off the finger with moderate resistance. Precise measurement is important to ensure a perfect fit and should be done by an experienced professional.
Like clothes, the ring fit is a matter of personal preference; some prefer a close fit, while others want it loose. A tighter fit will keep the ring securely on the finger and prevent it from accidentally sliding off when you communicate with a driver who just cut you off in traffic.
An oversized top-heavy ring, such as an engagement ring, is prone to bending and excessive spinning. A tighter fit will make wear secure and enjoyable. A ring that is too tight will restrict blood flow to the finger and can result in a skin rash from taking it off and on. It also gets buried in the skin folds, blocking the side view and making the finger look fat.
How is the ring size measured?
Ring sizing is the job of an experienced professional using a set of sizers. An experienced jeweler judges how the ring clears the knuckle. The amount of effort to take the ring off suggests the correct size.
It is impossible to tell how snug the ring feels on the finger unless you wear it yourself.
The ring’s width affects the ring size. Thinner bands need more increments. Smaller finger sizes require more increments. A standard measuring set consists of 2 mm wide sizers in quarter-size increments, while wide sets have blanks in half-size increments.
Ring style can affect the size. A hollowed-out ring feels bigger than a solid one. A “comfort-fit” band is easier to slide on the finger than a ring with a flat inner surface.
Finger anatomy and ring size
A ring has to clear the finger’s widest part – the knuckle. The difference in circumference of a knuckle and proximal phalanx varies from person to person. A large percentage of people have enlarged knuckles, which unfortunately makes the tight fit impossible. In those cases, the smallest size is the size of the knuckle.
Childbirth throws another monkey wrench into the ring sizing. Generally, the finger size increases during and immediately after pregnancy. It may or may not later return to the original size. In rare cases, the ring size gets smaller during pregnancy due to bone calcium loss.
An engagement ring does not come with an elastic band. Seasonal and even hourly (up in the morning, down at night) size fluctuations should be accounted for. The weather, diet, medical conditions, ambient temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and feminine cycles wreak havoc with size measurements. At best, the measurement is a quick snapshot of the current condition, which may or may not fluctuate.
Ring spinning issues
A ring spinning freely on a finger is a common issue without a solution. It’s a natural movement of the ring gaining momentum from the weight of the center stone. Three-stone rings have the stone’s weight spread more evenly and, therefore, generate less momentum.
Adding traction inserts, such as balls, bars, bullets, shots, or liners, inside the shank will reduce spinning and make it feel closer to the skin. An innerspring can also be added to hug the finger once the ring has cleared the knuckle.
Prosthetic shanks, such as the now-defunct FingerMate, SureFit, or custom-built mechanisms that allow the shank to open and close, are difficult and expensive to integrate into a delicate high-end ring. They also have a short life span before they start to wobble and refuse to snap in place.
Where to get measured?
A ring sizing in an average jewelry store does not guarantee the correct size. A salesperson might be inexperienced or simply unmotivated. An upscale jewelry store specializing in bridal jewelry, such as Winston or Tiffany’s, can be a better option.
Jewelers sizing lingo:
- 4-plus is 4 1/8
- 5-slant(variations: “scant,” “tight,” “just under”) is 4 7/8
- 7-minus is 6 7/8
Wrap a paper strip or a cable tie around the knuckle to get a general idea of your finger size instead of getting measured by a jeweler. Size markings on disposable plastic ring sizers typically sold on Amazon or eBay cannot be trusted. Still, a jeweler can measure the circumference with a ring gauge or ring stick.
The German ring size is the numeric value of the inside diameter. This system is also popular in East European countries and Russia.
The French decided to use the circumference instead of the diameter just to stick it to the Krauts. Much like the idea of driving a car on the opposite side of the road, the British letter-based ring sizes make no sense to anyone outside the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Swiss system is often called the European system. Swiss ring sizes are simply the circumference minus 40. Swiss ring sizes are used in Italy, Spain, Israel, the Netherlands, and a bunch of other countries that do not speak English, yet hate the French as much as the British do.
There is no point of reference for the US system either. Still, since Americans are buying the bulk of rings produced worldwide, the US system is well understood and accepted. It is the standard system in the US, Canada, and Mexico. The size is calculated by deducting 11.54 from the diameter and dividing the result by 0.83. Asian ring sizes use numeric values between 1 and 34 without the nonsense of half- or quarter-size increments. Chinese, Japanese, and other Asian systems differ from each other.
Most Asian ring size charts on the web are notoriously imprecise because wrong data is constantly copied from one website to another. We have the most accurate and up-to-date chart and gladly share it here with you.
The main Asian systems are Chinese, Japanese, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The Chinese claim that the Japanese stole their system. Japanese say the Chinese took their system. Altogether, they blame Koreans.
The Japanese system is straightforward, the sizes are 0.3 mm of the diameter apart. Each size is calculated by deducting 12.67 from the diameter and multiplying the result by 3.
The Hong Kong system is slightly different from the Japanese and Chinese systems, and we don’t know why.
However, Polish ring sizes 15 to 20 are exactly the same as Hong Kong’s. But sizes smaller than 15 and larger than 20 are mysteriously out of synch. Then again, they pack a garden hose in a 50-foot long box in Poland.
- Sizes 1-3 Tiny! Before proposing, check her ID. It might be illegal
- Sizes 3-4 US Petite, normal in Asia
- Sizes 4-5 Average size in Asia, petite in the US
- Size 5 Standard stock size in Asia
- Sizes 5-6 Most common range of sizes. If unsure, go with 5 1/2
- Size 6 – Stock size in the US.
- Sizes 6-7 Full size.
- Sizes 7-8 Large size
- Sizes 8-9 Plus-size
- Sizes 9 and above are typically men’s sizes or an arthritic knuckle.
Only a professional knows how to measure finger size accurately and precisely. In addition, the fit varies for different ring styles, widths, and measuring sets. Personal preferences for tighter or looser fit are also a consideration.
We do not measure the comfort with which the ring sits on the finger. Instead, we measure how easy the ring slides past the widest part of a finger – the knuckle.
| US 🇺🇸 | French🇫🇷 | British🇬🇧 | German🇩🇪 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
40 |
B |
12 1/2 |
|
2 |
42 |
C 3/4 |
13 1/4 |
|
3 |
44 |
E 3/4 |
14 |
|
4 |
46 |
H |
15 |
|
5 |
49 |
J |
15 3/4 |
|
6 |
52 |
L 1/2 |
16 1/2 |
|
7 |
55 |
N1/2 |
17 1/4 |
|
8 |
57 |
P 1/2 |
18 |
|
9 |
60 |
R 1/4 |
19 |
|
10 |
62 |
T 1/2 |
19 3/4 |
|
11 |
65 |
V 1/2 |
20.5 |
|
12 |
67 |
X 1/2 |
21.5 |
|
13 |
70 |
Z+1 |
22 1/4 |
|
14 |
72 |
Z+3 |
23 |
|
15 |
75 |
Z+5 |
23 3/4 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
| Circumference | Diameter | US | Français | UK | Svizra | China | 日本語 Japan | Hong Kong | Taiwan | Deutsche | Caspier | Polish |
| 31.13 | 09.9 | 0000 | ||||||||||
| 33.62 | 10.7 | 00 | ||||||||||
| 35.50 | 11.3 | |||||||||||
| 35.81 | 11.4 | |||||||||||
| 36.13 | 11.5 | |||||||||||
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| 36.44 | 11.6 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 36.76 | 11.7 | |||||||||||
| 37.07 | 11.8 | |||||||||||
| 37.38 | 11.9 | |||||||||||
| 37.70 | 12.0 | 1/2 | A | 12 | ||||||||
| 38.01 | 12.1 | |||||||||||
| 38.33 | 12.2 | 3/4 | A 1/2 | 12 1/4 | ||||||||
| 38.64 | 12.3 | |||||||||||
| 38.96 | 12.4 | 7/8 | ||||||||||
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| 39.27 | 12.5 | 1 | B | 12 1/2 | ||||||||
| 39.58 | 12.6 | 1 1/8 | B 1/4 | |||||||||
| 39.90 | 12.7 | 1 1/4 | 40 | B 1/2 | 12 3/4 | 1 | ||||||
| 40.21 | 12.8 | 1 1/2 | B3/4 | |||||||||
| 40.53 | 12.9 | 1 5/8 | C | 0.5 | 13 | |||||||
| 40.84 | 13.0 | 1 3/4 | 41 | C1/4 | 2 | |||||||
| 41.15 | 13.1 | 1 7/8 | C1/2 | 1 | 1 | 5.9 | ||||||
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| 41.47 | 13.2 | 2 | C 3/4 | 1.5 | 13 1/4 | |||||||
| 41.78 | 13.3 | 2 1/8 | 42 | D | 1.75 | 3 | ||||||
| 42.10 | 13.4 | 2 1/4 | D 1/4 | 2 | 6.4 | |||||||
| 42.41 | 13.5 | 2 3/8 | D 1/2 | 2.25 | 13 1/2 | |||||||
| 42.73 | 13.6 | 2 1/2 | D 3/4 | 2.75 | ||||||||
| 43.04 | 13.7 | 2 5/8 | 43 | E | 3 | 13 3/4 | 4 | |||||
| 43.35 | 13.8 | 2 3/4 | E 1/4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 7 | ||||
| 43.67 | 13.9 | 2 7/8 | E 1/2 | 3.5 | ||||||||
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| 43.98 | 14.0 | 3 | 44 | E 3/4 | 4 | 14 | 5 | |||||
| 44.30 | 14.1 | F | 4.25 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7.5 | ||||
| 44.61 | 14.2 | 3 1/8 | F 1/4 | 14 1/4 | ||||||||
| 44.92 | 14.3 | 3 1/4 | 45 | F 1/2 | 4.75 | 6 | ||||||
| 45.24 | 14.4 | 3 3/8 | 45 1/4 | F 3/4 | 5.5 | 5 | 8.1 | |||||
| 45.55 | 14.5 | 3 1/2 | 45 1/2 | G | 5.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 14 1/2 | ||||
| 45.87 | 14.6 | 3 5/8 | 45 3/4 | G 1/4 | ||||||||
| 46.18 | 14.7 | 3 3/4 | 46 | G 1/2 | 6 | 6 | 14 3/4 | 8.6 | 7 | |||
| 46.50 | 14.8 | 3 7/8 | G 3/4 | 6.5 | 8 | 7.5 | ||||||
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| 46.81 | 14.9 | 4 | H | 6.75 | ||||||||
| 47.12 | 15.0 | 4 1/8 | 47 | H 1/4 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 9.2 | 8 | |||
| 47.44 | 15.1 | 4 1/4 | H 1/2 | 8.5 | ||||||||
| 47.75 | 15.2 | 4 3/8 | H 3/4 | 8 | 9 | 8.25 | ||||||
| 48.07 | 15.3 | 4 1/2 | 48 | I | 8 | 8 | 15 1/4 | 9.7 | 9 | |||
| 48.38 | 15.4 | 4 5/8 | I 1/4 | |||||||||
| 48.69 | 15.5 | 4 3/4 | I 1/2 | 8.75 | 9 | 10 | 8.75 | 15 1/2 | ||||
| 49.01 | 15.6 | 4 7/8 | 49 | I 3/4 | 9 | 10.3 | ||||||
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| 49.32 | 15.7 | 5 | J | 9.25 | 15 3/4 | 10 | ||||||
| 49.64 | 15.8 | 5 1/8 | J 1/2 | |||||||||
| 49.95 | 15.9 | 5 1/4 | 50 | J 3/4 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9.25 | 10.8 | ||
| 50.27 | 16.0 | 5 3/8 | K | 16 | 11 | |||||||
| 50.58 | 16.1 | 5 1/2 | K 1/2 | 10.5 | ||||||||
| 50.89 | 16.2 | 5 5/8 | 51 | K 3/4 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10.25 | 11.3 | |||
| 51.21 | 16.3 | 5 3/4 | L | 11.25 | 16 1/4 | 12 | ||||||
| 51.52 | 16.4 | 5 7/8 | L 1/4 | |||||||||
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| 51.84 | 16.5 | 6 | 52 | L 1/2 | 11.75 | 12 | 16 1/2 | 11.9 | ||||
| 52.15 | 16.6 | 6 1/8 | L 3/4 | 12 | 13 | 11 | ||||||
| 52.46 | 16.7 | 6 1/4 | M | 12.5 | 16 3/4 | 13 | ||||||
| 52.78 | 16.8 | 6 3/8 | 53 | M 1/4 | ||||||||
| 53.09 | 16.9 | 6 1/2 | M 1/2 | 13.25 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 11.75 | 12.5 | |||
| 53.41 | 17.0 | 6 3/4 | M 3/4 | 17 | 14 | |||||||
| 53.72 | 17.1 | 6 5/8 | 54 | N | 13.75 | |||||||
| 54.04 | 17.2 | 6 7/8 | N 1/4 | 14 | 13 | |||||||
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| 54.35 | 17.3 | 7 | N 1/2 | 14.5 | 14 | 15 | 12.5 | 17 1/4 | 15 | |||
| 54.66 | 17.4 | 7 1/8 | N 3/4 | |||||||||
| 54.98 | 17.5 | 7 1/4 | 55 | O | 15 | 17 1/2 | ||||||
| 55.29 | 17.6 | 7 3/8 | O 1/4 | 15 | 13.6 | |||||||
| 55.61 | 17.7 | 7 1/2 | O 1/2 | 15.75 | 15.5 | 16 | 13.25 | 17 3/4 | 16 | |||
| 55.92 | 17.8 | 7 5/8 | 56 | O 3/4 | ||||||||
| 56.23 | 17.9 | 7 3/4 | P | 16.25 | 16 | 14.1 | ||||||
| 56.55 | 18.0 | 7 7/8 | P 1/4 | 16.5 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 17 | ||||
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| 56.86 | 18.1 | 8 | P 1/2 | 17 | ||||||||
| 57.18 | 18.2 | 8 1/8 | 57 | P 3/4 | 17 | 18 1/4 | 14.7 | |||||
| 57.49 | 18.3 | 8 1/4 | Q | 17.5 | 18 | 14.5 | 18 | |||||
| 57.81 | 18.4 | 8 3/8 | 58 | Q 1/4 | ||||||||
| 58.12 | 18.5 | 8 1/2 | Q 1/2 | 18.25 | 18 | 18 1/2 | 15.2 | |||||
| 58.43 | 18.6 | 8 5/8 | ||||||||||
| 58.75 | 18.7 | 8 3/4 | 59 | Q 3/4 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 15.25 | 19 | |||
| 59.06 | 18.8 | 8 7/8 | R | 19 | 18 3/4 | 15.8 | ||||||
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| 59.38 | 18.9 | 9 | R 1/4 | 19.5 | ||||||||
| 59.69 | 19.0 | 60 | R 1/2 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 19 | 20 | ||||
| 60.00 | 19.1 | 9 1/8 | R 3/4 | 20.25 | 20 | 16.3 | ||||||
| 60.32 | 19.2 | 9 1/4 | S | 19 1/4 | ||||||||
| 60.63 | 19.3 | 9 3/8 | S 1/4 | 20.75 | 21 | |||||||
| 60.95 | 19.4 | 9 1/2 | 61 | S 1/2 | 21 | 21 | 16.5 | |||||
| 61.26 | 19.5 | 9 5/8 | S 3/4 | 21 | 19 1/2 | 16.9 | ||||||
| 61.58 | 19.6 | 9 3/4 | T | 21.5 | ||||||||
| 61.89 | 19.7 | 9 7/8 | T 1/4 | 22 | 22 | 17.25 | 22 | |||||
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| 62.20 | 19.8 | 10 | 62 | T1/2 | 22 | 22 | 19 3/4 | 17.4 | ||||
| 62.52 | 19.9 | 10 1/8 | T 3/4 | |||||||||
| 62.83 | 20.0 | 10 1/4 | U | 22.75 | 20 | 23 | ||||||
| 63.15 | 20.1 | 10 3/8 | 63 | U 1/4 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 18 | |||
| 63.46 | 20.2 | 10 1/2 | U 1/2 | 23.25 | 20 1/4 | |||||||
| 63.77 | 20.3 | 10 5/8 | U 3/4 | 24 | ||||||||
| 64.09 | 20.4 | 10 3/4 | 64 | V | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 18.5 | 18.5 | ||
| 64.40 | 20.5 | 10 7/8 | V 1/4 | 20 1/2 | ||||||||
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| 64.72 | 20.6 | 11 | V 1/2 | 24.75 | ||||||||
| 65.03 | 20.7 | 11 1/8 | 65 | V 3/4 | 25 | 19 | 25 | |||||
| 65.35 | 20.8 | 11 1/4 | W | 25.25 | 25 | 25 | 19.25 | 20 3/4 | ||||
| 65.66 | 20.9 | 11 3/8 | W 1/4 | |||||||||
| 65.97 | 21.0 | 11 1/2 | 66 | W 1/2 | 26 | 21 | 26 | |||||
| 66.29 | 21.1 | 11 5/8 | W 3/4 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 20 | 19.6 | ||||
| 66.60 | 21.2 | 11 3/4 | X | 26.5 | 21 1/4 | |||||||
| 66.92 | 21.3 | 11 7/8 | 67 | X 1/4 | 27 | |||||||
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| 67.23 | 21.4 | 12 | X 1/2 | 27.25 | 27 | 20.2 | ||||||
| 67.54 | 21.5 | 12 1/8 | X 3/4 | 27.5 | 27.5 | 27 | 20.75 | 21 1/2 | ||||
| 67.86 | 21.6 | 12 1/4 | Y | 27.75 | ||||||||
| 68.17 | 21.7 | 12 3/8 | 68 | Y 1/2 | 28 | 20.7 | 28 | |||||
| 68.49 | 21.8 | 12 1/2 | Z | 28.5 | 28.5 | 28 | 21.25 | 21 3/4 | ||||
| 68.80 | 21.9 | 12 5/8 | Z 1/4 | |||||||||
| 69.12 | 22.0 | 12 3/4 | 69 | Z 1/2 | 29 | 29 | 22 | 21.3 | 29 | |||
| 69.43 | 22.1 | 12 7/8 | ||||||||||
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| 69.74 | 22.2 | 13 | 29.75 | 30 | 29 | 22 | 22 1/4 | |||||
| 70.06 | 22.3 | 13 1/8 | 70 | 30 | 21.8 | 30 | ||||||
| 70.37 | 22.4 | 13 1/4 | Z+1 | 30.5 | ||||||||
| 70.69 | 22.5 | 13 3/8 | 31 | 30 | 23 | 22 1/2 | ||||||
| 71.00 | 22.6 | 13 1/2 | 71 | Z+1.5 | 31 | 31 | 22.3 | |||||
| 71.31 | 22.7 | 13 5/8 | 31 | |||||||||
| 71.63 | 22.8 | 13 3/4 | Z+2 | 31.75 | 22 3/4 | |||||||
| 71.94 | 22.9 | 13 7/8 | Z+2.5 | |||||||||
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| 72.26 | 23.0 | 14 | Z+3 | 32.25 | 32 | 23 | 22.9 | 32 | ||||
| 72.57 | 23.1 | 14 1/8 | ||||||||||
| 72.88 | 23.2 | 14 1/4 | Z+3.5 | 33 | 23 1/4 | |||||||
| 73.20 | 23.3 | 14 3/8 | 33 | 23.5 | 33 | |||||||
| 73.51 | 23.4 | 14 1/2 | Z+4 | 33.5 | ||||||||
| 73.83 | 23.5 | 14 5/8 | 23 1/2 | |||||||||
| 74.14 | 23.6 | 14 3/4 | Z+4.5 | 34.25 | 34 | 24 | ||||||
| 74.46 | 23.7 | 14 7/8 | ||||||||||
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| 74.77 | 23.8 | 15 | 24.75 | 23 3/4 | ||||||||
| 75.08 | 23.9 | 15 1/8 | Z+5 | |||||||||
| 75.40 | 24.0 | 15 1/4 | 35.5 | 24 | ||||||||
| 75.71 | 24.1 | 15 3/8 | ||||||||||
| 76.03 | 24.2 | 15 1/2 | 36.25 | 24 1/4 | ||||||||
| 76.34 | 24.3 | 15 5/8 | Z+6 | |||||||||
| 76.65 | 24.4 | 15 3/4 | 36.75 | |||||||||
| 76.97 | 24.5 | 15 7/8 | 24 1/2 | |||||||||
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| 77.28 | 24.6 | 16 | 37.5 | |||||||||
