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How to measure ring size without a ring

With a strip of paper or string and a ruler you can measure a finger in a few minutes.

Enter 13–23 mmUse the screen sizer →

The string or paper method

  1. Cut a thin strip

    Cut a strip of paper about 5 mm wide and 10 cm long, or use non-stretchy string or dental floss.

  2. Wrap the finger

    Wrap it around the base of the finger. It should be snug but able to slide over the knuckle.

  3. Mark the overlap

    Mark the point where the end meets the strip with a fine pen.

  4. Measure the length

    Lay it flat on a ruler and read the length in millimetres. That is the circumference.

  5. Find the size

    Look up the circumference in the ring size chart, or divide it by 3.14 and enter the diameter in the box above.

Want a ready-made strip with the sizes printed on it? Use our printable ring sizer.

Other ways

  1. Borrow a ring

    Borrow a ring the person wears on the same finger and measure it on our screen sizer.

  2. Ask a friend

    A close friend or family member may know the size or can find out without spoiling the surprise.

Secret gift tricks

  • Press the borrowed ring into soap or clay to keep its size while you return it.
  • Trace the inside of the ring on paper with a sharp pencil, then measure the circle.
  • Slide the ring onto your own finger and mark where it stops, then measure that finger later.

FAQ

Is the string method accurate?

It can be, if the string does not stretch and you mark it carefully. Paper is often better because it stretches less. Measure two or three times and use the average.

Which finger do I measure?

The finger the ring will be worn on, on the same hand. The ring finger of the left hand is the usual choice for engagement rings in the US and UK.

When should I measure?

At the end of the day at normal room temperature. Fingers shrink in the cold and swell in the heat, so a size taken outdoors in winter or after a hot shower can be off. If you can, measure on two different days and compare.

Find your size on screen

Calibrate with a bank card, lay a ring on the screen and read the size in four systems.

Find your size on screen