Do you know your ring size? Shopping for rings (especially online) can be a minefield if you don't know your size - and buying the wrong sized ring can be frustrating and possibly expensive. So how do you measure your ring size and feel confident that it's right? It can be tricky to figure out, so we're here to help.

When it comes to ring sizes everybody is different: a smaller framed person might have larger than average fingers and vice versa, so there's no easy way to predict what your ring size might be based on your clothing size or anything else.

If you're purchasing an expensive or highly sentimental ring that you will be wearing every day, getting the size right is especially important because you don't want to risk losing it or finding it too tight to wear.

While you can be more flexible with sizes for less expensive rings (especially if you're happy to wear them on any finger), it's still important to have a good idea of the size range you need.

Because we want shopping for rings online to be easier for you, we're here to help with this handy guide on How to Measure Your Ring Size - yay!

Also check out our Ring Size Chart & Conversion Guide to see ring sizes in mm and inches, plus convert between USA, British, European and Australian ring sizes for both women and men.

Scroll down to answer the question: "How do i know my ring size?", whether you're in Australia, the UK, Europe or elsewhere. We'll help you figure it out.

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Our top ring sizing tips:

Here are our top tips for measuring your ring size at home. Of course you can also visit a manufacturing jewellery store in person to have your ring size measured more accurately. 

When to measure

Keep in mind that your finger size will change throughout each day and over longer timeframes. Your fingers will tend to be larger in the evenings and can be affected by hormones, weather, medication, hydration and more.

Given this, it’s a good idea to measure for a ring multiple times over the course of a day or even a few days to find the best size for you.

Most importantly the ring size you choose should feel comfortable in the evening when you are feeling warm and your fingers are more likely to expand in size.

How should a ring fit?

Ultimately this comes down to what you feel most comfortable with most of the time. As a guide, your ring should fit your finger well enough so it won’t fall off, but it should also be loose enough to fit over your knuckle without too much difficulty and to allow for natural changes in finger size which happen throughout the day (and each month for many women).

As a rule of thumb, a ring should be fairly easy to put on, but somewhat more difficult to get off. And of course it must be comfortable while you're wearing it.

What if your exact ring size isn't available?

Because there are so many different ring sizes, jewellery stores (including our online jewellery shop) will carry a limited selection covering average ring sizes. If your exact ring size isn't available in the shop and custom sizes aren't an option, what do you do?

The best bet is to go for the size that's closest to your ring size measurement, provided the difference isn't too great. If you're outside of the average sizes carried by the store, then you may be out of luck as a ring that's far too big or too small for any of your fingers is unlikely to work out for you, no matter how much you might like it.

I don't recommend purchasing wedding, engagement or similar rings without getting an accurately sized ring made for you, given how important (and often expensive) these rings are and that you'll most likely be wearing them all day, every day for years to come.

Should you go larger or smaller?

If you’re between ring sizes or there's a reasonable difference in your size throughout the day, a good thing to bear in mind is that it’s always better to go for a slightly larger size than one that’s too small, so you should err in that direction. There's nothing worse than a ring that's too tight on your finger or that you can't remove if you need to.

Wide band rings

If you’re purchasing a ring or a ring set which has a wide band (over 7mm or 0.27”) this will generally require a larger size. You should go up half a size using US numerical sizes or a full size in the Australian and British alphabetical ring sizing system.

Large knuckles

If you have larger knuckles don’t forget that you’ll need the ring to slide over your knuckle without too much difficulty. This is particularly an issue for those who have arthritis in their finger joints, so take special care with measuring your ring size if that's the case.

To take this into account you should also measure your knuckle as well as the part of your finger where the ring will sit. Choose a size in between your finger size and knuckle size and check to be sure that a ring that size will fit over your knuckle.

Which measuring system to use?

To add to the complexity of ring sizes, different countries use different measuring systems. The two most common are:

• Alphabetical (or Wheat Sheaf) ring sizes used in Australia, the UK and other countries (for men and women)
• Numerical ring sizes used in the US, Canada and much of Asia (for men and women)

You'll find most Australian jewellers and jewellery stores - including Simone Walsh Jewellery - will accept either measurement system.

Both systems are used for both men's and women's ring sizes. Jewellers in different countries will be used to their local ring size system, but they should be able to convert the sizes easily enough. For Simone Walsh rings we use both of these systems for ring sizes, so you can tell us whichever size type you have.

There are also other ring size measuring systems. The ISO standard is used in parts of Europe and to make things simple the size number corresponds exactly with internal circumference of a ring in millimetres. Another common European system uses numbers also based on the ISO measurements, but it deducts 40mm from the number. So an ISO ring size of 44mm is a size 4 in this system.

Visit our ring size chart for more info and to convert from one measuring system to another.

Most common ring sizes

We find the most common ring sizes for women are:

• AU/UK: L½ or US: 6
• AU/UK: N½ or US: 7
• AU/UK: P½ or US: 8
• AU/UK: R½ or US: 9

The lower the letter or number, the smaller the size. In our online jewellery store we list the above sizes, but we also generally have a 'custom' option, allowing you to enter a different size during checkout.

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How to measure a ring size:

Get a ring sizing kit

For an accurate ring size measurement at home we strongly recommend you purchase one of our inexpensive and reusable ring sizing kits.

It's worth it for your peace of mind, plus you can keep the ring sizer handy and reuse it to keep track of your ring size over time and to check the sizes of friends and relatives. 

Each Simone Walsh Jewellery ring size kit contains an accurate and reusable ring sizing belt, a printed ring sizing guide and size chart, plus (best of all!) a 10% discount code for your next ring purchase from our Australian jewellery shop.

Measuring from an existing ring

If you've got a ring that fits you perfectly, this is a great way to find out your ring size (or to secretly find out someone else’s size if you're buying a ring as a gift).

Download our ring measuring guide PDF and print it. The guide should be printed so that your printer doesn't alter the size of the page in any way (instructions are included). Then line up the inside edge of your ring with the inside edge of the circles included on that page to determine your ring size.

A 'quick and dirty' measuring method

If you want to make a quick decision and you're happy to take a risk, here is a quick but less accurate ring sizing method. It's a good idea to have someone help you with this method.

• Cut a strip of sturdy but flexible paper - around 15cm (6”) long and 0.5cm (0.25”) wide.
• Wrap the paper around your finger and ensure it sits where you would normally wear a ring.
• Mark the spot where the the paper meets when you feel you have a comfortable fit that is likely to fit over your knuckle.
• Measure the distance with a ruler which shows millimetres or fractions of inches.
• Use the our ring size chart to determine which is the closest size to your measurement.

Go to a jeweller

If you have the time and know of a local manufacturing jeweller or higher end jewellery shop, then go in and have your fingers measured professionally. Take note of the sizes of the fingers you'd like to purchase rings for so you have a record.

(Reading this on a website that isn't simonewalsh.com? Be aware that the content has been stolen, infringing the copyright of a small business. ABN: 65108844126)

Be aware that your fingers may increase or decrease in size over time with weight gain or loss, as well as due to other factors, so it's worth re-checking your sizes at a later date.

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Useful links

• Ring Size - Wikipedia
• About Rings - Encyclopaedia Britannica
• How Many Sizes can a Ring be Resized - Quick Jewelry Repairs