The Ultimate Sizing Guide: How to Find the Perfect Fit for Rings and Hoops

There is nothing worse than excitedly waiting for new jewelry to arrive, only to try it on and find it looks completely wrong. Maybe the hoop is sticking way out from your nose like a doorknocker, or maybe it’s so tight it’s pinching your septum.

Buying body jewelry online can be tricky if you don't speak the language of "gauges" and "diameters."

Finding that perfect, snug fit isn't a guessing game. It just takes a quick measurement. Here is how to navigate sizing for rings, clickers, and hoops.

 

1. Understanding "Gauge" (Thickness)

 

The gauge (often abbreviated as 'g' or 'ga') refers to the thickness of the jewelry bar that goes through your piercing hole.

The vital rule to remember: The smaller the number, the thicker the jewelry.

  • 18g (1.0mm): The most common standard size for nose piercings and some ear cartilage. It’s quite thin.

  • 16g (1.2mm): The standard for most septum piercings, daiths, rooks, and many lip piercings. It is slightly thicker than 18g.

  • 14g (1.6mm): Often used for belly buttons, nipples, and sometimes larger septum piercings.

Tip: If you are unsure, ask your piercer what size you were pierced with. Putting a bar that is too thick into a small hole will hurt; putting a bar that is too thin can cause the hole to shrink.

 

2. Understanding "Diameter" (How Wide It Is)

 

This is where most people mess up their aesthetic. The diameter is the distance across the inside of the hoop at its widest point. It determines how snugly the ring fits against your body.

  • Too Small: The ring will pinch the skin, causing irritation or even cutting into the tissue.

  • Too Big: The ring will droop, look awkward, and gets snagged easily.

 

How to Measure for Your Perfect Diameter

 

You don't need fancy tools. You just need a metric ruler (with millimeters) and a small strip of paper.

The "Edge-to-Hole" Method (Best for nose/cartilage hoops):

  1. Stand in front of a mirror.

  2. Take a small strip of stiff paper or a ruler.

  3. Place the edge of the paper exactly at the edge of your piercing hole.

  4. Measure straight down to the edge of your nostril (or ear rim)—basically, where you want the bottom of the hoop to rest.

  5. That measurement in millimeters is your ideal inner diameter.

Common Sizes: A snug nose hoop is often 7mm or 8mm. A snug septum is often 8mm or 9mm. But everyone’s anatomy is different—always measure!

Ready to find your fit? Now that you have your numbers, browse our collection of hinged segment clickers for the easiest insertion and removal.

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