Ring Sizing Guide

In the utopian world of romance movies and chic flicks, people do not "waste" time with such details as sizes before purchasing engagement rings for themselves or their significant other. Things are a bit different in real life, though, as they tend to be. Not only are all fingers not equal, but a single finger on a person's hand can change sizes rapidly and constantly.

If you're preparing to pop the question, asking your partner about the perfect ring size beforehand is a smart move, even though it may ruin your surprise. However, if asking is just not your style, or your partner doesn't have the information you want, you can still end up with the consummate ring by following the steps in this guide.

We'll start with some aspects of ring measurement and size that you need to take note of.

Biological and Environmental Impact

The size of your fingers (including the middle finger of your left hand) can often change, sometimes even a few times a day, depending on your lifestyle and level of activity. Biological factors such as pregnancy and diet can cause your fingers to grow or shrink. Temperature and weather are environmental factors that can also impact the size of your fingers. That's why ring measurement and sizing are more a science than an art.

Shape of Your Finger

The shape of your finger can also affect how well a ring may fit. For instance, some fingers widen downwards towards the base in a sort of tapered shape. Rings will typically fit tightly at this point but may also slide up and off your finger if the fit is not snug enough. There are also fingers with wide knuckles at the mid-points. Rings need to fit over these points, but this may make them fit too loosely at the base of your finger.

International Standards

Typically, rings are measured by their diameter and circumference, and these values are provided in inches or millimetres, respectively. A ring's circumference is the length of the entire band, while the diameter measures the length of the inside of the ring.

This measurement method is the same everywhere in the world, but while sizes are labeled with numbers in the US and Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom use an alphabetical sizing system.

When is the Best Time to Measure Ring Size?

In terms of sizing, finding the sweet spot is a key step toward purchasing the perfect ring for yourself or your partner. Your body (and your fingers in particular) react to the environmental conditions around you. Warm weather can make your fingers increase in size, while cold weather makes them shrink. So, the best time to measure is when your body temperature is average.

Furthermore, your fingers are usually bigger early in the morning, in the evening, and immediately after you perform any strenuous activity. They're also typically bigger after you eat salty foods or consume alcohol. These may not be the best times to measure.

How to Measure Your Ring Finger

You can cut right to the chase and determine the best ring size for yourself with our handy ring sizing guide, which features all the correct measurements set in an intuitive, easy-to-understand format.

INSIDE DIAMETER

With our size guide, you can DIY your ring size through any of the following methods:

The Paper Method

This method involves using a strip of paper to measure your ring finger. Here are the steps for it:

• At the base of your finger, where you'll be placing your ring, wrap a piece of paper around your finger.
• Make a snug fit. Don't let it get too tight, just enough to be comfortable.
• Use a pencil to mark the spot where both ends of the paper meet, then measure the distance using a ruler.
• Use our size guide to find the perfect ring size for you.

Buying a Ring for Your Partner

If you want to buy an engagement ring for your significant other without letting the cat out of the bag, one way to find out their ring size is by judging with another of their rings. Here's how to do it:

• Get a ring that belongs to them.
• Place the ring on a ruler and measure its internal diameter.
• Compare the measurement to our size guide.

If the ring is between sizes, always opt for the bigger size, to be on the safe side.