Style Shoes & Accessories Jewelry How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home Try one of these three easy methods to make sure your ring fits perfectly, every time. By Claudia Fisher Claudia Fisher Claudia Fisher is a digital editorial director on the Commerce News & Deals team at Dotdash Meredith. She's been writing, editing, and strategizing for women's lifestyle publications in NYC for almost 10 years, with a special interest in beauty and style. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 05, 2023 Fact checked by Isaac Winter Fact checked by Isaac Winter Isaac Winter is a fact-checker and writer for Real Simple, ensuring the accuracy of content published by rigorously researching content before publication and periodically when content needs to be updated. Highlights: Helped establish a food pantry in West Garfield Park as an AmeriCorps employee at Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center. Interviewed Heartland Alliance employees for oral history project conducted by the Lake Forest College History Department. Editorial Head of Lake Forest College's literary magazine, Tusitala, for two years. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Measure with String Ring Size Chart Use a Ring Sizer The Proper Fit Ring Size Guide Tips FAQs Measuring your ring size can be really simple using a ring size chart or even a piece of string. Many jewelry stores will help you get your ring size for free, but it's also easy to do yourself at home. Before ordering from the best jewelry stores or hinting to a partner about gorgeous engagement rings you've had your eye on, learn how to measure your ring size at home by following these easy tips to get the perfect fit. 5 Popular Types of Wedding Ring Settings—Plus the Pros and Cons of Each How to Measure Your Ring Size with String Tooga/Getty Images Take a length of floss or string and wrap it around the base of your finger.Mark where the floss or string first overlaps with a pen.Stretch the length of string out along a ruler or measuring tape, and take down the length in millimeters.The length you measured is the circumference of your finger—to calculate the diameter, divide the circumference by pi (dividing by 3.14 will work). Use the ring size chart below to compare the diameter of your finger to the standard ring sizes. String and floss can stretch, so don't pull them too taut. If you do, your measured ring finger size may be larger than your finger and any rings you purchase may be too big. Alexey Bezrodny/Getty Images Measuring Ring Size with a Ring Size Chart Jessica Jung / EyeEm/Getty Images Find a ring that fits you well. Print out a true-to-size ring size chart, and place your ring on the circles until you find the one that matches up with the inside circumference of your ring. Use a Ring Sizer amazon.com The most accurate way to measure ring size is by using a ring-measurement tool. They don't tend to be expensive, and there are many options online. Ring-sizing tools fall into two categories: a thin measuring tape or a keyring lined with a gradient of ring sizes. The measuring tape type ring sizer can simply be looped around your finger and tightened or loosened with the belt. The keyring type ring sizer has metal loops for each ring size, so just try them on your finger until you find the right fit. Ring sizers can be helpful to keep on hand to measure when you're shopping for rings for other people in your family, too. The Proper Fit According to New York City's Catbird, a popular fine jewelry store in Brooklyn, "Your ring should fit your finger comfortably—snug enough so that it will not fall off, but loose enough to slide over your knuckle with some resistance." Ring Size Guide U.S. ring sizes follow a scale of numbers (and half numbers), typically from ring size 3 to 13.5 for adults. Those units match your finger's width in millimeters: A ring size 3 fits a ring finger (or any finger) that is 14 millimeters across, and the sizes climb from there. Standard ring sizes go up by 0.4 millimeters every half-size. For instance, a size 3 ring is 14 mm, a size 3.5 ring is 14.4 mm, and a size 4 is 14.8mm. Women's rings are commonly between sizes 3 (14 mm) and 9 (19 mm), while men's rings are usually sized between 8 (18.2 mm) and 14 (23 mm). The average ring size for women is between 5 and 7 and between 10 and 11 for men, but it's always best to get an exact ring measurement before spending a lot of money—an engagement ring isn't cheap. Ring Sizing Tips Here are a few pointers to keep in mind when you measure your ring size: Consider your knuckle: If you know your knuckle is on the larger side, order half a size bigger than what your finger alone indicates, otherwise you won't be able slide a ring into the right place.Ensure accuracy with multiple tries: Catbird's site recommends measuring your finger three to four different times because the size fluctuates depending on temperature: It can be smaller the colder you are and more swollen if you're overheated.Measure the finger you want to wear the ring on: Your ring finger may be smaller or larger on one hand than the other, so make sure you measure the finger you intend to wear the ring on most often for a comfortable fit. Frequently Asked Questions How do you discreetly find someone's ring size? There are a few different ways you can find someone's ring size if you're trying to surprise them:Take a look at their other jewelry: If you can find another ring in their jewelry collection that fits them, you can measure that with a piece of string or take it to a jewelry store to get help comparing sizes.Ask their friends and family: Other people who know this person well might already know their ring size, so it doesn't hurt to ask. Or if a friend or family member has similarly sized hands as the person you're shopping for, you might have them try on rings and purchase one of a similar size.Go for a larger size: If you're not sure the person's exact size, you can purchase a larger-than-average one and get it resized later. It's not easy to size up a small ring, so larger is always better if you go this route. The average ring size for a woman is size 5 to 7 and size 10 to 11 for men. Consult with your jeweler if the ring you intend to buy is a candidate for resizing though, as some complex rings with many stones may not be. How do you tell if a ring is too loose or too tight? A well-fitted ring should stay put over the knuckle. A ring that is too loose will slip off the finger if you turn it upside down. And a ring that is too tight may not come off over the knuckle easily when pulled or it may leave an indent on the finger after it's removed. If a ring is extremely tight, it can even cause the finger to bulge or cut off circulation. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit