How to Find Your Ring Size
Method 1: Measuring with a paper strip or string
- Cut a non-stretch paper strip about 1 cm wide. If you use string, choose one that doesn’t stretch.
- Wrap the strip around the base of the finger you’ll wear the ring on, without squeezing but without leaving a gap.
- Remember the ring has to pass over the knuckle: make sure you can slide the strip over it. If your knuckle is thick, measure at the knuckle.
- Mark the point where the strip meets with a pen, open it out and measure it in millimetres with a ruler. This is your finger circumference.
- Find your size in the table below. If you fall between two sizes, choose the larger.
Method 2: Measuring from an existing ring
Place a ring that fits you well on a flat surface and measure its inner diameter (inner edge to inner edge, at the widest point) with a ruler. Multiplying the diameter by 3.14 gives you the inner circumference. For example, 17.8 mm inner diameter × 3.14 ≈ 56 mm circumference, i.e. size 16. Don’t include the thickness of the ring; only the inner space matters. This method can be misleading with oval or bent rings.
Method 3: With a ring sizer at a jeweller
The most accurate result comes from the ring sizer sets used by jewellers. By trying rings of different sizes, you find the size that slides over the knuckle comfortably but doesn’t spin or slip off the finger. If you are buying a wide-band ring, try the size with a ring of similar width if possible.
Ring size – circumference – diameter chart
The table below follows the numbering commonly used in Türkiye (size = inner circumference in mm − 40). Brands and countries can use different systems, so also check the size chart of the place you are buying from.
| Size | Inner circumference | Inner diameter (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 50 mm | 15.9 mm |
| 11 | 51 mm | 16.2 mm |
| 12 | 52 mm | 16.6 mm |
| 13 | 53 mm | 16.9 mm |
| 14 | 54 mm | 17.2 mm |
| 15 | 55 mm | 17.5 mm |
| 16 | 56 mm | 17.8 mm |
| 17 | 57 mm | 18.1 mm |
| 18 | 58 mm | 18.5 mm |
| 19 | 59 mm | 18.8 mm |
| 20 | 60 mm | 19.1 mm |
| 21 | 61 mm | 19.4 mm |
| 22 | 62 mm | 19.7 mm |
The most common sizes for women are generally 12–17 and for men 18–22; but this is only a tendency, so measure rather than guess.
Tips for the right size
- Time of day: Fingers swell slightly during the day, in heat and after activity. Measuring in the late afternoon gives a result that is comfortable all day.
- Cold hands: Fingers get thinner in the cold; don’t measure as soon as you come in from outside in winter.
- Wide bands: Wide rings of 6 mm and above wrap more of the finger; going one size up is often more comfortable.
- Every finger is different: Right and left hands, and index and ring fingers, have different sizes. Measure the finger you’ll wear the ring on.
- Midi and thumb rings: A midi ring sits on the upper knuckle of the finger, so measure for it separately; the thumb is usually a few sizes larger than the other fingers.
- If you’re buying a gift: Borrowing a ring the person wears often and measuring its inner diameter is the most practical way.
What happens if a ring is too tight or too loose?
A tight ring leaves a mark on the finger and starts to pinch in heat and in the evening; if it struggles over the knuckle, it is also hard to take off. A loose ring spins on the finger, the stone side slides underneath, and it can easily fall off and get lost when washing your hands or in cold weather. A ring in the right size passes over the knuckle with slight resistance, doesn’t spin under its own weight at the base of the finger and is comfortable enough to forget all day. If your knuckle and base sizes are very different, a thin ring adjuster (ring sizer insert) is a practical way to fix a loose ring.
Adjusting the size by material
If you get the size wrong, the ring’s material matters:
- Gold and silver: Plain styles can often be resized up or down a few sizes by a jeweller. With stone-set (eternity) or patterned styles this is not always possible. For the differences between gold and plating: solid gold, vermeil and plating.
- Stainless steel and titanium: Because they are hard materials, they usually can’t be resized; you need to choose the right size the first time. About everyday wear of steel jewellery: does steel jewelry tarnish?
- Adjustable rings: Open-ended styles give a few sizes of flexibility, but opening and closing them often can fatigue the metal.
If you have a nickel sensitivity, pay attention to the material when choosing a ring too; details nickel allergy article.
Stacking your ring with other jewellery
When choosing a ring, keeping the same metal tone (gold, silver or steel) as your bracelets and earrings creates a cohesive look. For layered bracelet ideas, see our bracelet stacking, and for choosing earrings, our how to choose gold earrings articles. All jewellery articles are on our jewelry guide page. Our online shop is being prepared; you can see the jewellery at our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı.
Got a question? Ask on WhatsApp or book an appointment in Ümraniye at our studio in Ümraniye Çarşı.
Once you’ve found your size, to learn how to wear several rings together, see how to stack rings article.
Modelleri isimleriyle karşılaştırmak istersen yüzük çeşitleri ve isimleri guide.
FAQ
How do you find your ring size at home?
Wrap a non-stretch paper strip around the widest part of the finger, mark where it meets and measure it in millimetres. In the numbering common in Türkiye, subtract 40 from this value to get your ring size.
How many mm is a size 16 ring?
In common Turkish numbering, size 16 corresponds to about 56 mm inner circumference and 17.8 mm inner diameter. Check the brand’s size chart too.
How do you measure from an existing ring?
Measure the ring’s inner diameter at the widest point and multiply by 3.14; the result is the inner circumference. Subtract 40 from this to get the approximate size.
If I’m between two sizes, which should I choose?
Choosing the larger is usually more comfortable; one size up is preferred especially for wide-band rings and in summer.
Can a steel ring be resized?
Stainless steel and titanium are hard materials and usually can’t be made bigger or smaller. Plain gold and silver styles can often be adjusted by a jeweller.
Does ring size change with the time of day?
Yes. Fingers swell slightly in heat, in the evening and after activity, and get thinner in the cold. Measuring in the late afternoon at room temperature gives a more accurate result.
This content is for general information only and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment.