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07.08.26
How to Measure Your Ring Size From Home
You don’t need to come to our showroom to get the perfect fit. Here are just a few ways to figure out your ring size.
Measuring your ring size is trickier than it sounds. Your fingers fluctuate in size from day to day and season to season. Warm weather makes them plumper. Pizza night or a sodium-loaded meal will temporarily swell them up. A dip in the pool will shrink them down. Your size can even change based on your preferred ring style. Your finger size isn’t constant, and everyone has different preferences on fit. You’ll want any ring you purchase to fit you well, so how can you measure your ring size with confidence? And can you do it without leaving the house?
Short answer? Yes. We’re going to break down how to get your ring size right, factors to consider when landing on the perfect engagement ring size, and what to do if that size still isn’t right the first time around!
Option No. 1 — Don’t do it from home (Hear us out…)
For the most accurate size, get professional help.
It may seem obvious, but it bears repeating. The best way to figure out your ring size is to try on engagement rings in person!
Head to Frank Darling and try on some rings. While you’re there, our designers are happy to measure your ring size. Seems simple, right? Well, yes and no.
While professional sizing is the most accurate way to get it right the first time, there are factors to consider. If you head to the us after a salty lunch, your finger might be a little swollen. Cold day? Your fingers might have shrunk.
But the surprise!
We know, we know. It’s not incredibly romantic to measure ring sizes, but it’s even less romantic to have the love of your life tearfully scream “Yes! YES! A million times, yes!,” enjoy a warm embrace, and, in the thick of the most important moment of your lives, slip on a ring that doesn’t quite fit.
An engagement shouldn’t come as a complete surprise; discuss your plans, decide you want to spend forever together, and then, a little bit down the line, have yourselves a little ring size fitting session.
Option No. 2 — Print a Ring Size Chart
Measure your other rings.
If you love rings as much as we do, you likely own some already. But you may not know what size they are. Fear not! Below you’ll find a printable life-size ring chart. Select a ring from your collection that fits comfortably, and line it up with a matching circle on the chart. Voila! You’re done.
Potential pitfalls…
Sizing from another ring can be a very accurate way to measure your ring size. However, don’t make the mistake of assuming your left and right ring fingers are the same size! They are more often than not just a tiny bit different, with your dominant hand being slightly larger (generally).
We can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen someone measure a ring size from a right hand ring only to find out their left ring finger is a totally different size.
Option No. 3 — Order a Ring Sizer
(or get our free try at home kit)
For most rings, getting it resized is easy, and either free or very affordable. But, some rings, like eternity bands, can’t be resized. Even if they can, it’s a chore, and you’ll be very satisfied getting it right the first time.
Our try at home kit comes with a free ring sizer which makes measuring your ring size a snap. Why not take it for a test drive?
Potential Pitfalls
Plastic sizers tend to be thicker (depending on your desired width) and harder to get as tight as you’ll need, so plan to size down 1/4 to 1/2 smaller than the plastic estimate. Also, they normally don’t include 1/4 sizes!
Help! My ring still doesn’t fit.
For many, especially those of us with smaller knuckles, a tight-fitting ring is preferable to a loose-fitting one. But how tight is too tight?
A too-tight ring might not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to severe complications (like a loss in blood circulation) and should be addressed quickly.
Before the ER or the fire department has to cut your ring off, it’s good to use these simple tests to ensure your perfect ring size is still your perfect ring size.
Here are three simple tips for deciding whether to have your ring resized:
1. Twist your ring from side to side.
Your ring spinning on your finger may seem like a nuisance, but you should be able to twist your ring clockwise and counterclockwise with little effort and without the skin sticking. If you can’t do this, it’s too tight.
2. Take it off.
If you can’t remove your ring, you need to get it resized, like… now. In the interim, ice your finger, slip a piece of dental floss beneath the ring, dip your finger in olive oil, and pull on the floss until the ring comes off (note: DO NOT do this over a sink, especially if your drain is open. PLEASE.). If it still doesn’t come off, call the doctor.
3. Check if your ring lays flat on your finger.
Rings are meant to fit snug but not squeeze your finger. If your skin is ballooning over the top or bottom of your ring like a love handle, then it’s too small.
4. What about a loose ring?
While you don’t want your ring too tight, you also don’t want it too loose. Each year, thousands of people lose their engagement rings in the park, ocean, and garbage disposal. Many of these rings are never found.
The general rule of thumb is that your ring should be easier to put on than take off. So if you can take your ring off without any twisting or tugging at all, it’s most likely too loose.
Other Considerations
Your Wedding Band
If you plan to purchase a wider wedding band such as an eternity band (or any style that’s 4mm or more across) or if you’re going to stack it with other rings in a wedding set, you’ll want to size up at least a ¼ size. Wide rings can sometimes feel too snug, especially in summer.
Your Finger Shape
Fingers come in all shapes and sizes. If you have larger knuckles but smaller fingers, you’re going to run into a challenge where the ring needs to be loose enough to slip over your finger, but tight enough that it doesn’t spin when on.
Speed bumps (also called sizing beads) are a good solution if your over-the-knuckle size is perfect, but the ring spins easily once it’s on. These little beads of metal are added to the interior of your band to provide just a bit of traction so your ring doesn’t spin.
Measure twice. Cut once.
We’ve all heard the saying “measure twice, cut once.” Finger sizes change over the course of the day, and from day to day, you’ll want to measure your ring size a few times to conclude what ring size to buy. If you have the time, it’s a simple way to prevent a ring that’s too big or too small.
Finally (and this is the most important), make sure to purchase from a jewelry company that offers free resizing (like Frank Darling). If you didn’t and need to get a ring resized, a jeweler shouldn’t charge more than $50 for a simple resizing. Any more, and you’re paying too much.
Stephanie Dore
Stephanie is a jewelry lover, gemologist, and seasoned copywriter with a decade of experience in e-commerce and tech. A RISD graduate, Stephanie also studied at GIA and has worked in the jewelry industry for 20 years. When not writing about diamonds and jewelry, Stephanie is also a photographer and backyard flower farmer. She lives in Tacoma, WA with her two black cats.