A well-fitting ring slides over the knuckle with a little resistance and sits comfortably at the base of the finger without spinning. These tips help you get there.
The most reliable way: a quick sizing
A jeweller measures your finger with a set of sizing rings that are the same width as the ring you have in mind. It takes a few minutes and is the most accurate method.
Measuring at home
- Use a ring that already fits the same finger, and ask your jeweller to measure it on a ring stick.
- Measure at the end of the day, when your fingers are warm. Fingers are smaller in the cold and first thing in the morning.
- Check the knuckle. If your knuckle is larger than the base of your finger, the ring has to pass over it, so size for the knuckle.
- Wide bands fit tighter. A wide band usually needs a slightly larger size than a narrow one on the same finger.
- String and paper strips are rough guides only: they stretch and slip, so confirm the size before ordering.
Buying a surprise ring?
Borrow a ring your partner wears on the same finger for an hour and bring it in, or trace its inside edge on paper. Most plain rings can be adjusted later, but some styles, such as eternity rings, are hard to resize, so it is worth asking before you choose.
Ring sizes are written differently around the world (letters in the UK, numbers in the US), so always check which system your jeweller uses.