You would be wise to learn how to measure your ring size before purchasing your next piece of eye candy. Whether shopping in person or online, fine jewelry is usually a pretty major purchase—and you’d rather not rely on a wild guess and a prayer. This is especially true when it comes to rings, which can be uncomfortable—or worse, easy to lose—when they don’t fit properly. Luckily, there are a few reliable ways to measure ring size yourself. Best of all, most of them can be done at home and take only a few minutes.
When measuring your ring finger—or any finger you plan to wear a ring on—it’s important to take into consideration the activities you’ve been doing. Our fingers naturally shrink and swell over the course of the day, and factors like exercise, salt intake, the temperature, humidity, and time of day can alter their size and impact the accuracy of the measurement.
That said, a ring that fits well should remain comfortable within a range of temperatures, weather, and conditions. U.S. ring sizes range from three to 14; Typically, men’s ring sizes are larger than women’s, which tend to range between sizes five and seven on average.
Finding the perfect ring can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, so don’t make the process harder than it needs to be. Here’s how to measure your ring size to find the perfect fit with ease.
Can I measure ring size on my phone?
First things first: It is entirely possible to figure out your ring size by downloading an app like Ring Sizer by Jason Withers to your phone. To use, you simply match the markings on the screen to a ring you already own. This can be super useful and surprisingly accurate if you have a ring that fits well. If you don’t, however, it’s probably not going to get you very far.
Some jewelers that specialize in engagement rings, like Grown Brilliance, also offer digital ring sizing capabilities on their websites. Others, like Brilliant Earth, David Yurman, and Holden offer the option to request complimentary ring sizing kits.
Get string (or something like it)
If you prefer to measure your ring size the old-fashioned way, it’s pretty simple using just a piece of string and a ruler. If you don’t have a skein of string or thread from a sewing kit in your junk drawer, feel free to grab some dental floss or a narrow strip of paper. Whatever you’ve got handy, cut a lengthy piece of it and wrap it around the base of the finger you intended to buy a ring for. Find the spot where the string (or thread, or floss) meets itself and mark it with a pen. Then lay the string flat against a ruler or tape measure and round the length to the nearest millimeter. Use this number while looking at a ring size chart to determine your size. Most sizing charts are in millimeters, so it’s best to stick with that unit, especially for international ring sizes.
Use a tape measure
Similar to the steps above, take a measuring tape to the base of your finger and wrap it around until it overlaps. Mark this overlapping point and find the measurement in millimeters, then compare your finger size to those on a size guide.
Get a ring sizer tool
You may want to keep a ring sizer handy in your jewelry box, if you find yourself measuring your ring sizes often. These small tools are easily accessible to both print and purchase online. A ring sizer looks similar to a zip tie, with numbers labeled on it; you slip your finger into the loop and keep tightening until you feel like it’s snug to your finger. Don’t wrap too tight, however—make sure you can remove the sizer as easily as you would want to if it were the ring itself. Take note of the number indicated on the sizer, which will be your ring size. If you find yourself between two numbers, it’s best to size up (unless, of course, rings in half sizes are available.)
Use a ring size chart
You can find printable ring size charts online. With these charts, you use an existing ring you love the fit of to determine your size, by placing it against the different ring sizes shown on the chart. Whichever size your ring matches closest to will be the ring size of your finger.
Head to your local jeweler
If the ring you’re looking to purchase is a bit more special than an everyday accessory (we’re looking at you, engagement rings and wedding bands) and you’re feeling nervous about getting this ring size right, head to a local jewelry store for help finding your exact size. Jewelers should have that classic keyring carrying dozens of rings in a wide range of sizes. There, you can try its different sample rings to determine which provides the most comfortable fit.
In the case of resizing
Sometimes the ring you purchased just doesn’t feel right after a few wears. Maybe you need a larger size, or your ring is falling to your knuckle, and the band needs to be taken in. It happens. Head to a local jeweler for a precise measurement of ring and finger, in order to determine how much you need to adapt your ring for that perfect fit. (The same process applies to any beloved piece of jewelry you need adjusted to the correct size.) Ring resizing varies in cost, and it is usually less expensive to size down than up, with the average tally under $100.
What does a proper ring fit feel like?
As Goldilocks would say, a well-fitting ring should not be too tight or too loose—but “just right.” You’re aiming for comfortable but secure: You should be able to slide it over your knuckle somewhat easily with just a bit of resistance, and you should be able to rotate it around the base of your finger easily once it’s on. If you feel any pressure or it’s squeezing your skin, the ring is definitely too tight; If it slides over your knuckle easily or flies off when you move your hand, it’s too big.
Does band thickness impact ring size?
The style of the ring can definitely impact the size you may require. Typically, rings with wider bands will feel snugger than those with thinner bands. For that reason, you may want to choose half a size up (or more) if you have your eye on a ring with a wide band. When in doubt, it’s a good idea to try on a range of ring sizes to be sure.
