Shopping online and stuck wondering what size ring you wear?
You’re not alone. I did some research and discovered some great options for you to measure your ring size.
There’s a lot of conflicting information out there, so I have combed through the content and tested various methods. Here are my top recommendations for you to figure out what size ring you should buy:
(Be sure to scroll to the bottom for some great tips no matter which method you use.)
Option 1 ~
Match the size of a ring you know fits well…
If you already have a ring which perfectly fits your finger, this may be a great option for you. There are a few caveats with this method though. The ring you are matching needs to be perfectly round on the inside. Here are some examples of rings you should avoid using with this method:
- Avoid rings with dents or malformations from wearing it over the years
- Avoid using a ring with a purposeful shape inside other than round ( i.e. rounded square shape) as these alternate shaped rings tend to fit a bit differently than a round ring.
- Avoid using a flared ring as the edges are not the same circumference as the inside and so they fit with more ease than a standard form.
- Avoid using a ring with a hollow cavity inside (sometimes rings are hollowed out under the stones for cleaning and maintenance purposes, but this space may adjust how the rings fits you)
Once you determine that you have an appropriate ring to match, you can download and print my free ring sizing chart below and see which circle the inside circumference of your ring matches.
It’s very important to make sure your printed copy is the proper scale. Print the document with the ‘actual size’ prompt or 100% setting and then double check that the printing scale in the upper right hand corner does in fact measure 1”.
If you happen to have a caliper you can measure the inside diameter of your ring and reference the measurements I have listed for each ring size.
If you have a band ring or a ring where the width doesn’t vary much, just lay your ring over the various circles until you find the size where the inner edge of your ring aligns with the outer edge of the circle.
If your ring has a varied width, meaning the top is a fair amount wider than the underside or any other design where the width of the ring varies, you will want to (very accurately) cut those circles which are close and see which one fits inside the best. Cutting the circles can add an element of risk, but if you just lay these varied width style rings on the chart they will be laying at an angle from the true circumference elongating the measurement, and if you try to ‘hover’ the ring over the chart, your line of site adds a perspective which will distort your perception effecting the accuracy. If you aren’t sure about this method, you can try another option.
Get your free ring sizing guide now…
Please note: Unless you are already one of our happy community members, you are joining the Jennifer Hanscom Jewelry Community and will receive all the benefits of being an e-mail subscriber by downloading this guide. However, you can unsubscribe at any time.
Option 2 ~
Use my paper ring sizer…
(Use the form above to download the document which contains my paper ring sizer.)
It’s very important to make sure your printed copy is the proper scale. Print the document with the ‘actual size’ prompt or 100% setting and then double check that the printing scale in the upper right hand corner does in fact measure 1”.
Once you are sure the scale is proper, cut out the ring sizer near the bottom of the page following along the outer perimeter of the graphic. Then slice on the line just to the right of where it says “read size here >”. It’s extremely important you cut this slit exactly at the line provided or your measurements will not be accurate. If you make a mistake, just print another and try again. Do not cut all the way to one edge as an alternate plan from cutting a slit – this allows the sizer to flex and you lose accuracy. (I find it helpful to use an exacto knife but any sharp knife would work, just be sure to put it on a protected surface so you don’t scar your table)
Feed the pointed end through the slit from the underside so you can view the numbers alongside the “read size here >” prompt. Slip the sizer on the finger you want to measure and pull it taught. You are not to pull as tight as you can, but you should feel the paper nice and snug on your finger. The number that lines up with the slit is the ring size you need. (Half sizes are determined by the shorter lines in between.) If you have a finger you are sure the size of (maybe you have a ring that fits well – you can use the matching method to determine the size), test the ring sizer on that finger to get a feel for how taught to pull.
If your knuckles are larger than where your ring will sit, slip the sizer to your knuckle and pull as taught as you can (without ripping the paper) to get a feel for what size you would want in order to be able to put the ring on and take it off.
You may find it easier to have someone else help you. It can be a bit tough to hold the ring sizer taught yourself unless you have good dexterity in your hands.
Option 3 ~
Purchase an inexpensive finger gauge online…
A finger gauge is the series of rings you actually try on your finger (like you would experience at the jewelry store). Although they are typically more expensive, I did find one for less than $10 on Amazon (link here) which I personally ordered and tested for accuracy. So this can be a decent option if you have time to wait for delivery (and they don’t change their standards on producing the product).
Overall tips for getting an accurate ring size measurement…
No matter which method you choose to use, here are some great tips to keep in mind:
-
- Measure your finger at normal room temperature – not when you are hot or cold or even when it’s excessively dry or humid as these all effect the size of your fingers.
- Be aware of swelling or shrinking – this could be due to many things like salt intake, rash, irritation (including trying rings on over and over), lack of eating or movement, and loss or gain of weight outside of your norm.
- Compile results from more than one method and go with a consensus.
- If you are shopping for a ring which is ¼” wide or more, you would want to order a half size bigger.
- If you are between sizes round up. If the ring is able to be sized (as not all rings can be), it’s easier to size it down than up, or you can get inserts that help to snug the fit. But if you order a ring that’s too small, you have less options and it typically costs more to size up because they have to add material and make it match.
I hope this information helps you feel more confident purchasing a ring online!
Please note: These are researched guidelines to help you figure out what size ring you wear, but Jennifer Hanscom and Jenuine Article, LLC are not responsible for any errors occurring as a result of using these methods.
Get your free ring sizing guide now…
Please note: Unless you are already one of our happy community members, you are joining the Jennifer Hanscom Jewelry Community and will receive all the benefits of being an e-mail subscriber by downloading this guide. However, you can unsubscribe at any time.