Method 1: string or paper strip
- Cut a thin strip of paper or use a non-stretch string.
- Wrap it around the base of the finger, snug but not tight.
- Mark where it overlaps.
- Lay it flat and measure in millimetres: this is the circumference.
- Check it can slide over your knuckle.
Method 2: measure a ring that fits
- Take a ring that fits the same finger.
- Measure the inside diameter edge to edge in millimetres.
- Match it to the chart below.
Approximate ring size chart
| Inside diameter (mm) | Circumference (mm) | US size | Approx. Indian size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15.7 | 49.3 | 5 | 9 |
| 16.1 | 50.6 | 5.5 | 10–11 |
| 16.5 | 51.9 | 6 | 12 |
| 16.9 | 53.1 | 6.5 | 13 |
| 17.3 | 54.4 | 7 | 14–15 |
| 17.7 | 55.7 | 7.5 | 16 |
| 18.1 | 57.0 | 8 | 17 |
| 18.5 | 58.3 | 8.5 | 18 |
| 19.0 | 59.5 | 9 | 19–20 |
| 19.4 | 60.8 | 9.5 | 21 |
| 19.8 | 62.1 | 10 | 22 |
Indian ring sizes vary slightly between jewellers, so use the millimetre measurements as your most reliable guide.
Tips for accurate sizing
- Measure at the end of the day, when fingers are largest.
- Avoid measuring when your hands are cold.
- If you are between sizes, choose the larger one.
- Wide bands fit tighter than slim bands; go up half a size for chunky rings.
Which finger is the ring for?
| Finger | Common meaning |
|---|---|
| Ring finger | Engagement, marriage, commitment |
| Middle finger | Balance; statement rings |
| Index finger | Confidence; bold rings |
| Little finger | Stacking and pinky rings |
| Thumb | Wide bands and statement looks |
Common ring sizing mistakes
- Measuring when your hands are cold.
- Using stretchy string, which gives a smaller size.
- Forgetting the knuckle: the ring must slide over it.
- Assuming ring sizes are the same across fingers or hands; the dominant hand is often slightly larger.
Open and adjustable rings
Open or wrap-style rings can often be gently adjusted by a small amount, which is helpful for gifts. Adjust slowly, and avoid bending the same spot repeatedly, which weakens the metal. Check each product description for sizing details.
Why ring sizes vary
Ring sizing is not standardised worldwide. India, the US, the UK and Europe all use different systems, and even within India jewellers may use slightly different scales. That is why the inside diameter or circumference in millimetres is the most reliable measurement. If you know your millimetre measurement, you can match it to any chart.
Fingers also change size through the day and with the seasons. They swell in heat and after exercise, and shrink in the cold. Measuring a few times at different times of day gives the most accurate result.
Buying a ring as a gift?
Borrow a ring they wear on the same finger and measure its inside diameter, or choose an adjustable or open design. Check the product description for sizing or adjustability. Browse our rings, or read anniversary gift ideas for your wife.
