Measuring your ring size · how to find it at home

A ring should feel comfortable, never pinch and still not slip off your finger. For that, you need the right ring size. Many people simply don't know theirs, and that is perfectly normal. Perhaps you would like to give a ring as a present, are planning an engagement ring or want a rough idea before your wedding ring consultation. In this article we explain how to work out your ring size at home and what to look out for.

What the German ring size means

In Germany, ring sizes are refreshingly simple: the size equals the inner circumference of the ring in millimetres. A size 54 ring has an inner circumference of 54 millimetres. That makes measuring at home quite easy, as all you need is a ruler or a tape measure.

Other countries use other systems, such as letters in the UK or numbers in the USA. If you have a ring bought abroad, it is worth checking which system its size refers to.

Method 1: using a ring that fits well

Do you already have a ring that sits comfortably on the finger in question? Then this is the most reliable way.

1. Place the ring flat on a ruler.
2. Measure the inner diameter, meaning the distance from inner edge to inner edge, straight through the centre.
3. Work out the circumference: diameter × 3.14 = circumference. The result is your ring size.

An example: you measure 17.2 millimetres. 17.2 × 3.14 comes to roughly 54. So your ring size is 54.

It is important that the ring comes from the same finger. For many people, the ring finger on the right hand is slightly fuller than the one on the left. A ring from your little finger or middle finger won't help here.

Method 2: using a strip of paper or a thread

If you don't have a suitable ring to hand, a narrow strip of paper or a thread that doesn't stretch will also do.

1. Cut a strip of paper about half a centimetre wide.
2. Wrap it around your finger exactly where the ring will sit later.
3. Use a pen to mark the point where the paper overlaps.
4. Lay the strip flat on a ruler and measure up to the mark.

The length in millimetres is your ring size. The strip should sit snugly without cutting in. A thread is a little less accurate because it gives slightly, so paper is usually the better choice.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Fingers are not the same size all day long. These points help you get a reliable result:

• Cold or warm fingers: in the cold, fingers shrink a little, while after exercise, in the sun or in hot weather they swell. Ideally, measure at normal room temperature.
• Time of day: in the morning, fingers are often a little slimmer. In the evening, your finger is usually the size it is for most of the day. It is better to measure in the late afternoon or evening.
• The knuckle must fit through: a ring that is loose at the base but won't go over the joint is no use. With the paper strip, check that it slides over your knuckle.
• Wide rings: a wide band rests on more of the finger and feels tighter than a narrow one. With wide designs, going up one size is often more comfortable.
• Measure more than once: measure on two or three different days. If your results fall between two sizes, choose the larger one.

Chart: diameter and ring size

If you have measured the inner diameter of a ring, you can read off the approximate size here. The values are rounded to one decimal place.

• Size 48: 15.3 mm diameter
• Size 50: 15.9 mm diameter
• Size 52: 16.6 mm diameter
• Size 54: 17.2 mm diameter
• Size 56: 17.8 mm diameter
• Size 58: 18.5 mm diameter
• Size 60: 19.1 mm diameter
• Size 62: 19.7 mm diameter
• Size 64: 20.4 mm diameter
• Size 66: 21.0 mm diameter

If your measurement falls in between, there are sizes in between too, for example 53 or 57. The differences are small, so careful measuring pays off.

Calculator and printable ring sizer

Would you rather not do the maths yourself? On our website you will find a ring size calculator. Enter your measurement and you will see the matching size straight away. The same page also offers a printable ring sizer. When printing, make sure the page is printed at actual size and not scaled down, otherwise the measurements won't be correct.

Measuring precisely in our shop

A measurement taken at home is a good starting point. But when it comes to a wedding ring, an engagement ring or a special piece of jewellery, a precise measurement makes sense. In our shop we check your ring size with a ring gauge. You try on different sizes and can feel for yourself which one sits comfortably.

You are warmly invited to drop by at Wengengasse 33 in Ulm. We are happy to advise you in German and Turkish, at your own pace and with no obligation. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00 and Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00.