Introduction
A ring that does not fit is a ring that does not get worn. Too tight and it will not come off in the heat. Too loose and it spins, or slips off. Knowing your ring size is the single most useful thing to settle before buying a ring online.
This ring size guide for women explains how to measure your ring size at home, how to read a ring size chart, how US and UK ring sizes compare, and how to adjust for wide bands, large stones and pinky rings. Whether you are buying a silver ring, a gemstone ring or a stack of rings, the method is the same.
The purpose of this guide
The purpose is to make ring sizes simple. A good ring size chart takes five minutes to use, and it prevents the most common reason for a ring to be returned. At BILARRI, we want every ring to arrive and stay on the hand.
Ring sizes explained
Ring sizes are a way of describing the inside of the band. Different countries use different systems. The two you will meet most often are US ring sizes, which run in numbers, and UK ring sizes, which run in letters. Both describe the same thing: the inside diameter or circumference of the ring.
If you know the inside diameter in millimetres, you can find your size on any ring size chart.
Ring size chart: US and UK
Use this ring size chart for women's rings. Diameter is the inside width of the ring. Circumference is the distance around the finger.
| US size | UK size | Inside diameter | Circumference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | H½ | 14.9 mm | 46.8 mm |
| 5 | J½ | 15.7 mm | 49.3 mm |
| 6 | L½ | 16.5 mm | 51.9 mm |
| 7 | N½ | 17.3 mm | 54.4 mm |
| 8 | P½ | 18.1 mm | 57.0 mm |
| 9 | R½ | 18.9 mm | 59.5 mm |
| 10 | T½ | 19.8 mm | 62.1 mm |
Sizing charts from different makers can differ by a fraction. If a ring is made to a particular scale, follow the maker's own ring size chart.
How to measure your ring size at home
Method 1: measure a ring that already fits
- Choose a ring that fits the same finger comfortably.
- Measure the inside diameter across the widest point, in millimetres.
- Find that number in the ring size chart above.
Method 2: use a strip of paper or string
- Cut a thin strip of paper or a length of string.
- Wrap it around the base of the finger and mark where it overlaps.
- Lay it flat and measure the length in millimetres.
- Match that circumference to the chart.
Method 3: visit a jeweller
A jeweller can size you with a metal ring sizer in a minute. It is the most accurate way to measure ring size, especially for wide bands.
When to measure
Fingers change size during the day. They swell in heat, after exercise and after salty food, and they shrink in cold.
- Measure at the end of the day, when fingers are at their largest.
- Measure when your hands are warm and at rest.
- Measure two or three times on different days and take the most common result.
Wide bands and large stones
A wide band fits more tightly than a narrow one of the same size, because more of the finger is covered. If you are buying a wide band, a statement ring or a cocktail ring with a large stone, consider going up a half size. The same applies to a smooth dome ring.
A large stone also changes how a ring sits on the hand. A comfortable fit is one that clears the knuckle without spinning once it is on.
Pinky rings and other fingers
Every finger has a different size. The little finger is usually two to three sizes smaller than the ring finger. If you are choosing pinky rings for women, signet rings or stacking rings, measure each finger separately. The dominant hand is often slightly larger than the other.
Knuckles
If your knuckle is larger than the base of your finger, choose the size that passes over the knuckle without force, and consider a ring that can be adjusted by a jeweller. A tight ring that needs twisting on is too small.
How a ring should feel
A well-fitting ring:
- Passes the knuckle with a little resistance
- Sits snugly at the base of the finger
- Turns slowly, without spinning freely
- Leaves no mark after an hour of wear
Sterling silver and resizing
Plain 925 sterling silver bands can usually be resized by a jeweller. Stone-set rings, eternity styles and rings with patterns around the whole band are harder to alter. Choose your ring size carefully before buying, and check the resizing policy of the maker.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average women's ring size? Most women's ring sizes fall between US 5 and US 8, which is UK J½ to P½.
Is a ring size chart accurate? It is a reliable guide. A jeweller's sizer is more precise.
Should I size up for a wide band? Usually by half a size.
Can I measure my ring size with string? Yes. Wrap it around the finger, mark the overlap and match the length to the circumference column.
Conclusion
Measure at the end of the day, use the ring size chart, allow for wide bands and large stones, and size each finger separately. A correct ring size makes every ring easier to wear. Explore the BILARRI collection of 925 sterling silver rings once you have your size.