There are many pros to online shopping. Endless choice from the comfort of your own home. Selecting brands that align with your values. And, when shopping online from a small business, the opportunity to connect with artisans directly, resulting in an even more personal experience than traditional customer/salesperson encounters. What’s not to love? Well sizing comes to mind! How do you go about ordering the right ring size online?
Ring sizes are actually a bit more straightforward than they seem at first glance. You just need to know what your country’s sizing convention is. In South Africa, the UK and most of Europe we use letters. The USA uses numbers, as do many other countries albeit not the same ones. This is where sizing charts and mm measurements come in handy. If you’re in a letter using country, you’re all set, they are standard. If your country uses numbers just double check with customer support before placing your order.
The most reliable way to measure your ring size is undoubtedly to pop into your local jewellery store and have your finger professionally measured. Most stores are happy to offer this service, obligation free.
However, that may not always be convenient or possible so here are two easy ways to measure your (or a loved one’s) fingers at home.
How to measure your ring size at home
Method One: The Paper Method
- Cut a thin strip of paper. (It should have a width of about 5mm.)
- Wrap the paper firmly (but not so tightly that it starts to distort, bend or tear, it should remain a straight loop) around the finger you would like to measure.
- Mark the spot where the paper meets.
- Lay it flat and measure it (in mm) as accurately as possible. Use this measurement and the circumference on the chart below to determine the ring size that you need.
Method Two: The Existing Ring Method
- Print our true-to-size ring guide via the download link below.
- Check your printer’s accuracy by measuring the guideline on the right hand side.
- Select a ring that properly fits the finger you intend to wear the new ring on.
- Place the ring over the circles below. Match the inside edge of the ring to the circle closest in size.
- If it is between two circles select the bigger of the two.
~ Click here to download our ring chart ~
A few ring sizing factors to keep in mind
Your ring should fit your finger comfortably
It needs to sit snug enough so it will not fall off, but it needs to be loose enough to slide over your knuckle. If using the paper method check that it will be able to slide over your knuckle (it is ok if it is a tight squeeze over).
Finger sizes do change
Depending on the time of day and the weather you may find your fingers expand or contract. For the best result measure your finger size when your hands are warm as well as when they are cold. Measure you finger size 3 to 4 times to eliminate the possibility of an incorrect measurement.
Our fingers are different sizes
Generally speaking the fingers on our dominant hand are slightly larger. It is important to measure the exact finger that you plan to wear the ring on.
Consider the ring type
Wide rings (about 6 millimeters or more) require a larger size for most people. This is because a wide band has to make more allowances for the natural “wobbles” in our finger shape than a narrow band does. We recommend going a size up from your measured size for bands 6mm and wider.
