January 3, 2022 How to correctly determine the size of a ring for a woman or a man is not an idle question, and it’s not even about engagement or pre-wedding troubles. No one wants a beautiful and expensive piece of jewelry to dangle on their finger or, conversely, to cut into the skin to the point of unpleasant marks. The difficulty is that each manufacturer, when indicating the size, is guided by the system of measures that is adopted in its country, hence frequent confusion among buyers.
Let's consider the generally accepted standard for sizes of jewelry rings in Russia and other countries, as well as ways to find out your own without leaving home or asking someone for help.
Types of sizes
The most popular types in our country are Russian, Chinese and American. When purchasing a product in an online store, please note that sellers usually provide size charts. It is enough to know the size according to the Russian system and compare it with tabular data. Russian
According to Russian standards, the ring size is equal to its internal diameter. In this case, rounding up or down is allowed.
Chinese
China uses the centimeter measurement system, so there will be no need to convert anthropometric measurements. The size is calculated mainly according to the American method.
When ordering jewelry from a large Chinese online store, for example, Aliexpress, please note that if the ring size is not indicated according to Russian standards, there must be a size conversion table. To clarify the size, you can always contact the seller of the product.
American
To bring the ring size, which is indicated according to the American system, into line with Russian standards, you can apply the following formula: USA = 1.2 x ROS - 13.8, i.e.
Russian size will be = (US +13.8) /1.2.
For example, the size on the ring is 6, we substitute it into the formula: (6+13.8) /1.2=16.5.
What is finger size? How to find out the right ring size?
Everything here is relatively simple - size refers to the diameter of the middle phalanx before its connection with the metacarpal bone. Roughly speaking, this is the place where it is customary to put a ring in most world cultural traditions. The problem for the average buyer here is not even due to the lack of a caliper or other measuring instrument - the metric system of measures is not adopted everywhere as a standard, even among European countries.
For Russia and the countries of the European Union, the standard for jewelry measurements is millimeters - the diameter of the finger rounded to a whole value will be the size of the jewelry. In the USA, despite the generally accepted English measure, rings are marked with an Arabic number in increments of 0.5 - a value from 4 to 13 is indicated. It is calculated using a formula with constants: the diameter in millimeters is multiplied by 1.2 and 13.8 is subtracted from the resulting number .
The British went their own way - they don’t write any quarter inches, but write a large Latin letter, which is assigned to the European measurement, although the profile books indicate a measurement step of 1/64 inches. In Japan, the situation is even more interesting - since oriental ladies have long been famous for their miniature hands, the spread begins with the number 1, which corresponds to the “children’s” Russian size 13; it is difficult to find this in our stores.
Size relationship between different measurement systems
The table below shows the relationships between different measurement systems:
| Ring circumference | Russian | American |
| 48 | 15 | 4 |
| 49 | 16 | 5 |
| 52 | 16,5 | 6 |
| 54 | 17 | 7 |
| 57 | 18 | 8 |
| 59,5 | 19 | 9 |
| 62 | 20 | 10 |
| 65 | 21 | 11 |
| 67 | 21,5 | 12 |
| 69 | 22 | 12,5 |
For example, if your size is 16.5 according to the Chinese and American system, it will be equal to 6.
Buying a ring on Aliexpress
Most often, on the website of Chinese goods Aliexpress, jewelry is sold in accordance with the American sizing chart. To buy a ring that fits your finger, use the table of Russian and American sizes.
To be sure that the product will fit, measure the circumference of your finger using any method and compare them with the matching table below.
| Finger circumference (mm) | Ring size (US) |
| 44 | 3 |
| 46,5 | 4 |
| 49 | 5 |
| 51,5 | 6 |
| 54 | 7 |
| 56,6 | 8 |
| 59,1 | 9 |
| 61,6 | 10 |
| 64,1 | 11 |
| 66,6 | 12 |
| 69,1 | 13 |
When ordering a product, ask the seller what size chart is used. Ask him to help you determine the product that suits you by first measuring the diameter and circumference of your finger or old ring.
Features of determining ring size
The methods for determining ring size are the same, regardless of the person’s gender. Features are expressed in sizes, which depend on the configuration and age.
For women
You can simply use any of the proposed methods. You can find out the size either using the ring the girl has or use extraordinary options.
For men
For men, wide joints can be a problem, so you will need to buy a ring a size larger, even though it will fit loosely on your finger.
For children
Children need to most accurately calculate the size of the ring so that it does not fly off the hand, but also does not put pressure on the finger. Children grow quickly, so when purchasing expensive jewelry, you need to understand that you won’t be able to buy it “for growth.”
Third method: use the help of friends
A friend’s help in this situation will be invaluable, the main thing is to convince him and keep everything a secret! A close friend will undoubtedly be able to easily and naturally ask your beloved about her ring size. At the same time, it is important that your friend does not declassify you, wanting to quickly tell you about pleasant events and surprises. He must find out accurate information without arousing suspicion. The good thing about this method is that you don’t need to measure anything or look for the girl’s ring from the same finger.
What to consider when determining size
The circumference of a person's fingers is not a constant value; it depends on many factors that must be taken into account to correctly determine the ring size.
Weather conditions and time of day
If it’s hot outside, your fingers swell; in the cold, the process is reversed - they will be smaller than their standard size. The same applies to morning measurements, when the overnight swelling has not yet passed.
Decoration design and width
Large, wide rings with additional decorations should be easily removed from the hand. Experts recommend that if the ring width is more than 4 or 5 mm, add 0.1 mm of its size for each subsequent one mm of ring width. For example, a ring 9 mm wide with a finger size of 16.5 needs to increase the ring size by 0.4 mm and get a size of 16.9, rounded to 17.0.
For thin people, it is allowed for the ring to fit more tightly on the finger.
Physical condition of a person
A change in finger volume can occur after active physical activity or training. If there was a wild party the day before, it is better to wait to take measurements until the next day. You can’t measure immediately after you’ve carried something heavy; you need to let your fingers relax.
A change in the size of the fingers can occur as a result of a disease characterized by swelling: disease of the kidneys, heart, blood vessels.
Measured arm
The ring can be designed to be worn on any finger of the left or right hand. There are special jewelry for thumbs or little fingers, the size of which is larger or smaller, respectively.
Regardless of which finger the jewelry is intended for, it is better to measure the size on the fingers of both hands and choose the largest value.
Second method: use pen and paper
A very easy and interesting method. He will not require you to wait until the bride falls asleep. So, you will need paper, a pencil, a ruler and a ring from the finger on which you plan to put the gift. After all, as you understand, all fingers are different, so if you plan to put the ring on your ring finger, then you need to find out its size. Place the ring on paper and trace it around the inner perimeter. You will get a circle. Measure its diameter and you will get the finger size you need to choose a ring.
Popular ways to determine ring size at home
There are several ways to determine the ring size for your hand or the hand of another person.
You can find out the size even if you want to surprise a loved one so that he doesn’t have to guess about it.
Using thread
Procedure:
- take a strong thread, preferably twine;
- wrap your finger, do it lightly and apply pressure;
- cut to the required length;
- take a ruler and measure the length in mm;
- using the formula: Circumference/3.14, calculate the diameter using a calculator;
- this will be the size of your decoration.
If the thread is thin, wrap your finger several times to make it easier to measure the size.
If you do not use a calculator, you can get the data from the table below. Just round the result to the given values.
Using pen and paper
The measurement is carried out in the same way as using thread, only we use a piece of paper instead. Mark the required length with a pen, then measure the length. This method is more accurate, because you can choose any width of the segment and it will be more convenient to try it on.
Using a measuring tape
You can use the following measuring tape template:
It needs to be printed and cut out, then cut in the indicated place. After inserting the sharp end into the slot, place the paper ring on your finger and measure it.
With the help of friends
If you want to make a surprise, you can ask friends or relatives for help. But this method will not be accurate; rarely does anyone know the ring size of even a loved one, especially since it changes throughout life.
In addition, not all loved ones can keep other people's secrets and the surprise may be ruined.
According to existing decoration
If you have a ring that is exactly the right size, measure its diameter on the inside and round up accordingly.
How to take a measurement:
- place the ring on a clean sheet of paper;
- carefully circle the inside of the circle several times;
- measure the diameter of the resulting circle in millimeters;
- You can compare the size with the picture below.
According to clothing size
The size of our fingers, of course, depends on the size of our clothes, but this connection is very approximate. There are people who wear plus size with thin fingers and vice versa.
Therefore, this method will allow you to determine the size only if you first pay attention to whether the lady’s (or young man’s) fingers correspond to their overall sizes.
If you do not notice any significant deviations, use the following table:
| Clothing size | Ring size |
| 42–44 | 15,5–16,5 |
| 46–48 | 16,5–17,5 |
| 50–52 | 17,5–18,5 |
| 54 | 18,5–19,5 |
| 56 | 20,5–21,5 |
other methods
You can find a lot of lifehacks on the Internet that offer different ways to measure ring size.
In our opinion, the most productive:
- To measure your partner's finger and avoid making a mistake, do it while she is sleeping.
- Take the ring the person is wearing and take it to a jewelry store. This way you will get the exact size, the main thing is that you won’t miss any.
- If you can’t take the decoration out of the house, trace its inner circumference and take the drawing to the master. It will help you determine the size accurately.
- Bring the jewelry maker a photograph of the girl, preferably one with her hand visible. A specialist will be able to determine the size immediately from the photograph. You won’t be able to get an accurate result on your own this way.
- Place the girl's ring on your little finger and draw a circle where it stops, or just remember this place. A jeweler will be able to determine the exact size by visually examining your pinky finger.
Method number 1. Arm yourself with a ruler
The task is greatly simplified if the person for whom you are choosing a ring already has a piece of jewelry that fits the size. All that is required is to discreetly take this ring and measure its diameter with a regular ruler. Attach the ring to the ruler, placing the scale along the line that roughly divides the ring in half, and measure the length from one edge of the ring to the other in millimeters.
- Who is this method suitable for?
For those who have a sample ring, a ruler and a couple of seconds of free time. - Pros:
very simple, even a child can measure it. - Disadvantages:
there is not always a ring in stock (or direct access) that fits your size.
How to round the result to get the correct size
When measuring the circumference of a finger, the result may not be whole. More often you get uneven numbers: 15.76, 16.43. When rounding, pay attention to the thickness of the decoration. If the ring is up to 5 mm wide and narrower, it is better to round down, for example, from 15.23 or 15.12 to 15. With a wide decoration, it is better to round up, for example, instead of 15.6 it will be 16.0. The margin must be at least 0.5 mm.
Be sure to consider how often your fingers are swollen. In some cases, it is better to purchase a ring 0.5 size larger.
How to choose a measuring time so as not to make a mistake with the size
Depending on the time of day when the finger size is measured, the indicators can vary greatly. On average, the error may be 0.5 sizes. We recommend taking measurements in the middle of the day. This is the optimal period when optimal balance is achieved in the body.
When it is not recommended to take measurements:
- during illness;
- early morning or late evening;
- after training;
- in excessive heat or cold;
- after drinking large quantities of water.
How to find out your finger size to select a ring?
If you want to make a surprise, then it is very important to learn about secret methods of taking measurements. Each of the presented methods will allow you to find out the exact size, and which one will be convenient for you personally - choose yourself.
Ring size charts
Below are standard tables for determining ring size depending on the size of your finger circumference.
For women
Sizes considered here are in the range 15.0–19.0.
| Finger circumference, mm | Diameter | Ring size |
| 47,0 | 15,0 | 15,0 |
| 47,6-47,7 | 15,2-15,3 | 15,5 |
| 50,5–51 | 16,1 | 16,0 |
| 51,0–52,0 | 16,5 | 16,5 |
| 53,0 | 16,9 | 17,0 |
| 55,0–57,0 | 17,5 | 17,5 |
| 58,0–58,7 | 18,2 | 18,0 |
For men
For men, sizes range from 18.5–22.0:
| Finger circumference, mm | Diameter | Ring size |
| 60,3 | 18,5 | 18,5 |
| 61,9 | 18,9 | 19,0 |
| 65,1 | 19,8 | 20,0 |
| 63–64 | 20,5 | 20,5 |
| 65 | 21,1 | 21,0 |
| 67–68 | 21,6 | 21,5 |
| 69,7 | 22,1 | 22,0 |
Life hack: try on a girl’s ring on your finger
Whenever possible, ask the girl to just try on the ring. Put it on your finger and remember where it stops. Then use a thread to measure the circumference of your finger in this place. Or while your memory is fresh, come to our jewelry studio and we will take your measurements. The method is easy and convenient, especially for those who cannot wait for the bride to fall asleep or do not have access to her jewelry.
Additional recommendations
We recommend that you be careful when taking measurements. The smallest ring size for girls is 14, the largest is 22. If suddenly your values are outside this range, we recommend that you measure again. Pay special attention to the thickness of the ring. If you purchase a product up to 7 mm, it is recommended to round the resulting size to a larger value. If you are 16.6, then buy a size 17 ring. If the jewelry is thicker than 7 mm, then add another 0.5 mm to the rounded one. Accordingly, it will be 17.5 mm.
An interesting fact is that many ring sizes correspond to the diameter of a certain Russian coin, for example, size 16 corresponds to 1 kopeck, 18 to 10 kopecks, 19 to 5 kopecks, 19.5 to 50 kopecks, and 21 to 1 ruble.
Each method allows you to find out the ring size and make a pleasant surprise. However, none of the methods gives a 100% guarantee. Of great importance is how correctly all the recommendations are implemented. If you are in doubt, contact our jewelry studio and they will definitely advise you and help you with determining the size and choosing a ring.
Jewelers' recommendations
Jewelry craftsmen adhere to precision in determining sizes, so they advise turning to specialists.
What recommendations do professionals give:
- Roll up a small roll of paper and insert it into the girl's ring, winding the roll until the ring sits securely on it. Staple the resulting scroll and go with it to the store to select decorations.
- Do not buy expensive jewelry “by eye.” You may not only not get the size, but also not satisfy the desire of the person for whom it is intended. He may not like the design or execution of the ring. Therefore, it is better to coordinate an expensive purchase.
- If you do not know the exact size, then it is better not to buy a ring with stones or moving elements, because if you have to reduce it, the stones and additional jewelry may be damaged.
- Engrave only if you know the exact size of the item. Otherwise, it will deteriorate when the jewelry increases or decreases.
Method number 2. Borrow a ring from the owner for a while
If you don’t have a ruler at hand, and your loved one has a lot of jewelry and he doesn’t notice the temporary absence of one ring, then you can borrow a sample jewelry for a couple of hours and take him to a jewelry store. The consultant will determine its size using a professional ring meter and offer a choice of ring options of the required size.
- Who is this method suitable for?
For those who have the perfect ring for the right finger (this is important if you are choosing an engagement ring, because it is only worn on the ring finger). - Pros:
the most accurate result. - Disadvantages:
you will have to explain where the ring went missing if its absence is unexpectedly discovered.
Silver rings with diamonds from the Duet collection (art. 01-1452/000B-00, art. 01-1446/000B-00):
go to catalog
FAQ
When is the best time to measure ring size on your finger?
The best time for this is from 12.00 to 14.00. Pay attention to the weather, it is not advisable that it be very hot or very cold. It’s better that there is no party the night before and you don’t have to drink a lot in the morning.
Why can’t you measure your size immediately after loading your arms?
Any stress leads to deterioration of blood circulation in the hands, as a result of which the fingers swell. Sometimes it takes several hours for them to return to normal.
How to choose the right size?
The ring should not fit tightly or be removed loosely. Ideally, you want it to fit smoothly through the thicker part of the finger joint and not fly off.
What is the Vienna Standard for ring sizing?
This is how size is measured in different European countries. The length in millimeters of the circumference of the product is determined.
First method: use thread
So, take a thread of medium thickness. She will not get confused and will help you take all measurements quickly and unnoticeably. For example, when the bride is sleeping, wrap the thread once around her finger. Mark the point of contact of the thread with a colored line. This procedure will need to be done twice. Measuring the girth of the joint once and once of the upper phalanx. Straighten these threads and measure them, add up the indicators and find the average value. Then divide by 3.14. So the required diameter has been found, which corresponds to the sizes in the jewelry studio. When you create a diamond ring, you can be sure that it will not be too big or too small because you have measured the circumference of your finger and knuckle. Now you can safely order a gift.
Bonus. All size indicators in one table
The presented size grid will be especially useful when ordering jewelry abroad. To use the table, you need to measure the circumference of your finger and note that the data is presented in millimeters. Next, compare the obtained indicators with what is in the table and the country of purchase of the product.
We hope that the presented tips and methods for measuring finger size for a ring were useful and that you were able to give a gift to your loved one, making a real surprise. If you haven’t done this yet, then don’t hesitate, start taking measurements and you’ll succeed!
Method #3: By diameter
For this method you will need any ring you have. It is important to remember: the size range of jewelry in each country is calculated differently. In Russia, it is determined by the diameter of the inner contour of the ring and it is enough to measure it with an ordinary ruler. The resulting number of millimeters is the desired number. You can also use our template:
