A ring fits correctly when it slides on easily but meets noticeable resistance at the knuckle when you pull it off. Too loose and it gets lost, too tight and it constricts. The good news: you can find the right size yourself in five minutes — without a specialist shop.
What does ring size actually mean?
In Germany the ring size corresponds to the inner circumference in millimetres. A ring in size 54 therefore has an inner circumference of 54 mm. That makes measuring pleasantly simple: what you measure is directly your size.
Method 1: measuring with a piece of string
The most reliable method if you do not have a suitable ring to hand.
- Take a thin string, a ribbon or a narrow strip of paper (about 5 mm wide).
- Lay it around the finger on which the ring is later to sit — not too tight, not too loose.
- Important: Check whether the loop also fits over the knuckle. The knuckle is usually thicker than the part below it.
- Mark with a pen where the ends overlap.
- Lay the string flat against a ruler and read off the length in millimetres.
The result is your ring size. 54 mm measured means ring size 54.
Method 2: measuring a ring you already have
Even faster if you already own a well-fitting ring.
Measure the inner diameter with a ruler — from inner edge to inner edge, through the centre. Multiply the value by 3.14.
Example: 17.2 mm inner diameter × 3.14 = 54.0 → ring size 54.
For a more precise result, place the ring on a sheet of squared paper and trace the inner circle — that way the diameter can be read off more exactly.
Method 3: placing the ring on a ruler
The quickest option for in between: place the ring directly on a ruler and read off the inner width. Less precise than method 2, but sufficient for a first idea.
Size table
The most common sizes at a glance — inner diameter and the corresponding ring size:
- 14.6 mm → size 46
- 15.3 mm → size 48
- 15.9 mm → size 50
- 16.2 mm → size 51
- 16.6 mm → size 52
- 17.2 mm → size 54
- 17.8 mm → size 56
- 18.1 mm → size 57
- 18.5 mm → size 58
- 19.1 mm → size 60
- 19.7 mm → size 62
- 20.0 mm → size 63
- 20.7 mm → size 65
As a guide: for women the most common sizes lie between 52 and 58, for men between 58 and 64.
When it is best to measure
Fingers change their circumference over the course of the day by up to half a size. For a reliable result:
- Measure in the evening: Fingers are then slightly swollen — the ring will also fit in the evening.
- At room temperature: Cold makes fingers shrink, heat makes them swell.
- Not straight after sport: After exertion the hands are larger than normal.
- On the right finger: The dominant hand is usually half a size larger.
Between two sizes — what to do?
Take the larger one. A slightly wider ring can be worn and, if necessary, adjusted with a ring size insert. A ring that is too tight, on the other hand, is unusable and cannot be widened in the case of fashion jewellery.
Wide rings need more room
The wider the ring, the tighter it feels — it covers more surface and allows less movement. For rings from about 6 mm in width, half a size to a full size more than measured is advisable.
A ring as a gift — without asking
If the size is to remain a surprise, there are two reliable routes:
- Secretly borrow a ring: Take one that is worn on the right finger and measure it using method 2.
- Take an impression: Place the ring on a sheet of paper and trace the inner circle.
If it still does not fit: the statutory right of withdrawal of 14 days applies with us — an exchange is straightforward.
Frequently asked questions
Can I measure my finger with a tape measure?
A flexible tailor's tape measure works, but is often too wide and does not lie closely enough. A thin string gives more accurate values.
Why does my ring no longer fit in summer?
In warm weather the blood vessels widen and the fingers swell slightly. A difference of half a size between winter and summer is completely normal.
What if the knuckle is much thicker than the finger?
In this case measure at the knuckle and choose that size. To stop the ring slipping below it, a small silicone insert from a specialist retailer helps.
