How to measure your ring size

For many a ring is worn on a daily basis, so it’s no wonder there are so many questions about finding the perfect fit. Everyone has a slightly different finger shape and size, but there are a few rules of thumb to ensure your ring fits properly.

How should a ring fit?

Too tight

Sometimes you’ll just know when your ring is too tight around your finger. However, other times it may be difficult to know for sure. Here are a few ways you can tell if your ring is too restrictive:

Swelling or tingling – It’s never a good sign when you notice the area around your ring swelling, going numb, or feeling painful.

Difficulty removing – If you’re using soap to take off your ring every night, it’s definitely too tight.

Too loose

Your jewellery is precious and you want to make sure it fits right to avoid losing it. To avoid any accidental slip-offs, here’s a few ways you can determine if it’s time to go down a size:

Spinning around during wear – If your ring is too big, it will move around as your hand moves. If you notice that it’s constantly spinning around, it might be time to scale down a size.

No tension when taking it off – You need to feel a small amount of resistance when removing your ring, as this is what will keep it on your finger. If it slips off without any effort at all, it’s probably too loose and will be easy to lose.

Fits perfectly

The easiest way to know if you’ve found the perfect fit is to examine how you feel. Are you comfortable? Is the ring sliding around when you move? Is it hard to take off at the end of the day?

The perfect size is a real balancing act. You want your ring to be tight enough to stay put but loose enough to slip past your knuckle with just a little bit of tension. This way, your ring is secure without causing discomfort.

If you’re worried about ring sizing, talk to one of our jewellers in-store before purchasing an engagement or wedding ring. We can help measure your ring size for an accurate fit, and even if they don’t fit later down the line we can also resize them.

The perfect style for your finger shape 

Wide fingers with small knuckles

If your finger tapers, starting larger from the palm to smaller at the finger, without a noticeable size difference at the knuckle, you will want to choose a size that fits tightly around your finger. The ring will then be snug and stay in place, but not so tight that it is uncomfortable or cuts off your circulation.

With this fit, over time, your finger will develop a natural indent from wearing your ring called the “sweet spot”. This is where your band lives comfortably and doesn’t feel restricted.

Large knuckles with small fingers

If you have large knuckles but slim fingers, you will want to choose the smallest size that you can slide over and still remove without causing too much discomfort. 

If your ring then feels too big around the base of your finger, moves around or spins too freely, jewellers can add a few sizing beads or “speed bumps” to the inside of your ring. These bumps help hold the ring against your finger but can still be worked over the knuckle.

Factors that affect ring fit 

Did you know that your fingers get bigger and smaller during different times of the day and in different seasons? That’s why it’s important to keep this in mind when picking a ring, as the size will change along with your fingers.

You may notice that your ring is too tight or too loose throughout the year or even during the day. Your ring fit will likely change due to environmental factors like the weather, but it doesn’t mean you need to rush to the jewellers for a resizing.

So, why do our fingers fluctuate in size? Well, there are a variety of reasons, but the main cause is a temperature change. When our bodies are colder in the winter, our blood vessels constrict and reduce blood flow to the skin, making our fingers and toes shrink. In this case, your ring will feel loose.

When we are warm or hot in the summer our blood vessels enlarge, increasing blood flow and expanding our fingers and toes. As your fingers swell, your ring will feel tighter than usual.

But it’s not all down to the weather. Here are a few other common factors that affect changes in finger size:

Pregnancy – Swelling is a common symptom for women as they go through pregnancy, which can also affect the fingers and toes.

Arthritis – This condition is commonly accompanied by swelling of the extremities, making your fingers larger and causing your ring to feel too tight. Knuckles are especially affected by arthritis, which can make it difficult to comfortably put on and take off your rings.

Exercise – Some people’s hands swell when they engage in physical activity, as their bodies are hotter and blood vessels are expanding rapidly to cool the body down.

Weight Loss or Gain – Believe it or not, you can actually lose and gain weight in your fingers and toes. So, if you notice your ring is feeling too loose or too tight, your weight may be the cause.

Before purchasing a ring, it’s important to get the right fit. If you’re unsure of your ring size, one of our jewellery experts will be happy to help. We offer free ring measurements in store and can recommend styles that will suit your finger shape as well. Pop down to our store or book an appointment using our online form.