How to measure your ring size with ease

This guide will help you learn how to measure your ring size on your own or with a spouse, partner, or friend.

Fortunately, there are several ways to measure your ring size at home, so you just need to pick the method that works best for you.

You can shop with confidence at LMNA Wood Rings. At your request, we will send you a FREE ring sizer to check your size.

Things to consider

When you are at the point where you need to pick out a ring for a wedding, an anniversary, or just to wear a stylish ring, you’ll need to keep several things in mind to get your ring size right.

Fit: Do you want a really snug fit where you have trouble taking the ring off? Or do you prefer a slightly looser fit where taking it on and off is easy and don’t feel like it is squeezing your finger too much. If you lift weights or work with your hands a lot, I’d recommend picking a slightly looser fit so removing your ring is a bit easier. A looser fit is generally a half-size larger than what you measure your ring at.
Time of day you measure: You probably know this – or at least do now – your fingers swell and shrink throughout the day. When your hands are cold, your finger tends to shrink in size. When you are hot or retaining water for any reason, they tend to swell. I recommend measuring your finger several times at different times of day. You can then use the average to get your ring size.
Measure twice, cut once: The same advice seasoned wood workers give novices *mostly* holds true here. If you are measuring your finger yourself, you might want to measure twice or more to make sure you got record the right number. If you do this, you won’t regret buying the wrong size and having to delay how long it takes before you can wear your ring. (Please do not cut your finger when measuring your size. It is unnecessary and quite painful.)
Work with a partner: If you plan to measure your own finger, consider having a friend, family member, or fiancée measure your finger for you. It is always easier to have two hands doing the work than trying different measuring methods with one hand.
Ring Width Affects Feel: The width of your ring affects how it feels on your finer. Narrower bands, often defined as around 4 mm or less in total width, often feel looser. Larger bands, often 6 mm and larger, often feel smaller. You MAY be able to go a 1/2 size smaller for narrower bands or bigger for wider bands.

How to measure your ring size

Here are several methods you can use to get your correct ring size before you purchase the wrong size.

Use a ring rizer

Ring sizers are often plastic and designed to translate the circumference of your finger into common US ring sizes.

Some are solid units that you slip onto your finger with a labeled size.

Others, like the one we use, are flexible strips that you form a ring with. You then adjust the size so that you can take it on and off.

Ring sizers do not need to be fancy to work. They just need to accurately show you the size of ring you need to order.

How to measure your ring size with a ring sizer

1. Insert the pointed end into the eye loop.

Most of these plastic ring sizers will have an arrow indicating where to put the one end through. You should see the numbers on the outside of the loop.

Make sure to make it large enough to fit over your finger.

2. Put your finger through the ring sizer.

Move the ring sizer past your second joint and then pull the end further through the loop until it feels snug but will still fit over your knuckle.

3. Record your size.

Depending on your ring sizer, the line it is on will indicate a half size or a whole size. Some may even show a 1/4 size.

I’m between a 8.5 and 9, but generally wear a size nine ring because I like mine a bit on the looser side.

If you measure between, go with the option that makes you feel good. If you like snugger, pull it just a bit tighter and see what the number is.

How to measure your ring size at a local jeweler

This may be the most accurate method but not always the most practical one. It requires:

having a local jewelry store
visiting at least twice, preferably three times, to get the most accurate size
feigning interest in one their rings
talking to a jewelry (not great for shy or introverted people who generally prefer to shop online to avoid human contact)

Of course, if you actually are interested in a ring your local store offers, this is not a problem. But if you plan to order a ring online or at another store, this can be a bit awkward.

Still, some offer the service for free because they want to make sure you get the right size before ordering. And a nice advantage is they measure fingers far more often than you likely do, so chances are they will get the size right.

How to measure your ring size with a string

One of the simplest ways to get your ring size is using a short piece of string.

This method is simple but it can be a bit tricky, particularly if you do it on your own.

Your best bet is grab a friend to help you out, but if you don’t have any friends handy (or at all), you can do it on your own.

To use the string method, find a short piece of string. Though any string can work, I recommend using a thicker string that is easy to see and that does not have a lot of give to it when you put it.

Once you pick your string, wrap it snuggly around the thickest part of your finger.

Use a marker to mark where the string meets itself.

Unwrap your finger and pull the string taught. Make sure you are not pulling so tight that it stretches the string.

Use a ruler (this one from Staples will work fine… no I’m not affiliated, it is just an example) with millimeter (mm) markings and line up the first dot with the 0. Record what number the second dot reaches.

You can use that length to figure out what your size is.

Here’s a helpful chart to tell you what size you are based on how long the string is:

Circumference to Ring Size Chart

Circumference (mm)	US & CA Ring Size
44.2	3
44.8	3.25
45.5	3.5
46.1	3.75
46.8	4
47.4	4.25
48	4.5
48.7	4.75
49.3	5
50	5.25
50.6	5.5
51.2	5.75
51.9	6
52.5	6.25
53.1	6.5
53.8	6.75
54.4	7
55.1	7.25
55.7	7.5
56.3	7.75
57	8
57.6	8.25
58.3	8.5
58.9	8.75
59.5	9
60.2	9.25
60.8	9.5
61.4	9.75
62.1	10
62.7	10.25
63.4	10.5
64	10.75
64.6	11
65.3	11.25
65.9	11.5
67.2	12

How to measure your ring size using another ring you or your partner wears

This is a great method if you plan to get a ring as a surprise or gift. Wood rings make a great gift for the 5th wedding anniversary, traditionally known as the wood anniversary.

To use another ring, the easiest method is to measure the inside diameter of the ring (thickest part of the ring).

You can then compare the width to the chart below to get a pretty good idea about your or your partner’s ring size. Keep in mind, this method is a bit prone to error.

Keep in mind, if the ring does not fit your or your partner well, this is not a very accurate method. Though if you feel the ring is too loose or tight, you can get a half size down or up when ordering a ring.

Ring Diameter to Ring Size Chart

Diameter (mm)	US & CA Ring Size
14.1	3
14.3	3.25
14.5	3.5
14.7	3.75
14.9	4
15.1	4.25
15.3	4.5
15.5	4.75
15.7	5
15.9	5.25
16.1	5.5
16.3	5.75
16.5	6
16.7	6.25
16.9	6.5
17.1	6.75
17.3	7
17.5	7.25
17.7	7.5
17.9	7.75
18.1	8
18.3	8.25
18.5	8.5
18.7	8.75
18.9	9
19.1	9.25
19.4	9.5
19.6	9.75
19.8	10
20	10.25
20.2	10.5
20.4	10.75
20.6	11
20.8	11.25
21	11.5
21.4	12

Take Away

There are many ways to measure your ring. A ring sizer or jeweler are often the most accurate, but you can also use a string and ruler or measure the diameter of a ring you or your partner already wears.

If you decide you want to order a ring from LMNA Wood Rings and do not know your size, select the option to have a ring sizer sent first. We then send you a ring sizer to measure your finger.

Once you provide us your results, we start on the ring in the size you tell us. It’s that simple and helps you avoid disappointment that your ring does not fit.