How to Measure Your Ring Size: The Easiest, Quick & Most Accurate Guide

Rings are not just adornments. Rings hold feelings, memories, vows, and in some cases, secrets. And we can imagine it must be hard to measure your ring size or that it requires some sort of special equipment, but believe us, it's simpler than that. In this detailed guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know , from why it matters that ring size is considered, to step-by-step procedures that you can easily do in the comfort of your own home, to expert secrets that nobody else tells you. We've also added some fun facts, actual situations, and mini hacks that will make you get it right the first time.

Why Knowing Your Ring Size Is Important More Than You Know

Now, before we tell you actually how you take your ring size, let’s first talk about why you can't just guess your ring size or "eyeball" it. You've got this thing on your skin all day long, probably years at a time. It'll be too tight if it's the wrong size, restrict your circulation, and give you those pesky welts on your finger. If it's too loose, you'll be fretting about it coming off all the time, particularly when you're washing your hands, doing dishes, or at a party. And let's not forget, not all silver rings can be resized. Rings with diamonds encircling them, complicated patterns, or thin metals are difficult, expensive, and in some cases, impossible to resize without harming them.

Aside from that, if you're proposing somebody with a ring buy, let's say proposal or birthday surprise, the very last thing you'll do is ruin the surprise by saying, "Oops, we'll have to have this resized." Saving money, time, and disappointment, thus, getting the correct size is crucial.

The Truth About Your Fingers: Why Size Can Change

Here's something that few people are aware of, your finger size is not fixed. It changes during the course of the day, depending on your body temperature, hydration levels, and even what you had for lunch. Your fingers tend to be narrower in the morning. At night, they might be slightly swollen from heat or after a whole day of activity. If you are cold, your fingers are slightly smaller; if you are warm, they are bigger. So, the timing when you measure might be critical. We’ll suggest doing this at a resting pose of hands, ideally in the evening or late afternoon when your body has cooled down to a standard temperature. 

How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home

You don't have to necessarily visit a jeweler or spend a lot on equipment to get your ring size. You can do it at home with simple things like paper, string, or even an old ring. One of the easiest ways is the string or paper strip method.

All you require is a small strip of paper or string, half an inch in width and 4-5 inches in length. Loop it around the base of the finger upon which you plan to wear the silver jewelry. Not too close to the skin, so you can shift it a little bit without irritation. Mark where the string or paper overlaps using a pen. Then put it flat and take the measurement from the starting point to the mark using a ruler in millimeters. That is your finger circumference. Once you have the measurement, compare it to a standard ring size chart and you can find one online within seconds. For example, if your measurement is 57 mm, your US size would likely be 8. Ring size charts are slightly different in each country, so when buying abroad, ensure that you are using the correct chart.

Another easy method, if you do have a good-fitting ring, is to measure the inside diameter. Place the ring on a flat ruler and measure across the inside of the ring straight across. Don't measure the edges; it must be the inside. And again, refer to a standard size chart. For instance, an inside diameter of 17.3 mm would typically be a US size 7.

You can also use printable ring sizer charts. Most jewelry sites will have a downloadable ring size chart. You can print it (make sure that it prints at scale, 100%, not reduced in size) and either place your ring over the size circles to align it, or use the cut-out strip that comes with the print and wrap it around your finger.

How Jewelers Measure Your Ring Size

If you want a precise, professional measurement, visit a local jeweler. They have what they call a ring sizer, a set of metal or plastic rings in different sizes that you put on your finger until you get the correct one. They might also use a ring mandrel, a tapered metal rod marked with sizes, to measure the size of a ring you already have on hand. Jewelers will also consider factors like the shape and thickness of your knuckles, which can affect size. Almost every jewelry store except a few will size you for free, even if you don't buy something on the spot. It's completely worth stopping by one, if you must be 100% sure of the size.

The Knuckle Factor & Band Width: Things People Forget

That's where everybody is doing it wrong, they measure the width of their finger base but not at the knuckle. If your knuckles are big and your fingers are small, you need a ring that can glide over the knuckle but not at the base. In this case, you might need to go half a size bigger and maybe use a ring adjuster down the line so that you don't spin.

And remember, another thing to consider is the width of the band. The wider bands like the chunky statement sterling silver rings or wide wedding bands will be tighter than the thin ones. So, if you are buying a wide band, you might have to get half a size up for comfort.

The majority of people ring size tests incorrectly. They're handling elastic type material, and it does not. And the other thing that they're doing is it when their hands are cold and smaller. They do it with other people also who do not retest, once. It is unsafe to do that. For best accuracy, do it multiple times, on multiple days and average the readings.

It’s also a bad idea to guess or compare your finger size to someone else’s. Fingers are unique, even on your own hand, each finger has a different size. So, always measure the exact finger you’re planning to wear the ring on.

How to Measure Someone Else’s Ring Size Without Them Knowing

Let’s say you’re planning a surprise proposal and can’t just ask for their ring size, there are a few creative ways to get it right.

The easiest is to borrow a ring they already wear on the correct finger. Make sure they actually wear it on the finger you’re buying the ring for, because a ring worn on the right hand may not fit the left hand (and vice versa). Trace the ring’s inner and outer circles on paper and take it to a jeweler for sizing. If they can't borrow, then have their family members or close friends ask them if they happen to know roughly what size it might be. Brothers or friends who are very close might have bought them a ring before and will be able to tell. You can just casually mention rings to them also, maybe while you are shopping together, without letting the surprise out.

And if all else fails, it’s better to buy a ring slightly larger. It’s easier to resize a ring down than to make it bigger.

What to Do if You’re Between Sizes

It's completely fine to be between two sizes. If this is the situation, do this: If the ring is dainty and thin, take the smaller size. If the ring is wide or thick, take the larger size. It's always preferable to have a ring that's a little loose and wear a ring guard or adjuster than to have one that cuts off your circulation.

Getting your ring size might appear to be a small, unexciting thing to do, but it is worth the aggravation. It makes sure you can wear your ring contentedly without being stiff or losing it. It also saves you time, money, and the trouble of resizing.

The good news is, it's simple to do. Whatever tool you use, whether it's a humble length of string, something convenient that happens to be at hand, or you pay someone to have it done professionally, the key thing is to take your time and be slow so as not to rush the job.

And now that you see how your fingers react, the secrets of exact measurement, and even how to discreetly take someone else's size, you're ready to have every ring you buy fit like it was custom-made just for you.