How to Measure Your Ring Size at Home

No ring sizer? No problem. The good news is—you probably already have everything you need lying around the house. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or planning a surprise gift, here’s how to measure ring size at home without any fancy tools or awkward trips to the jeweler.

The Classic: String or Paper Trick

This old-school method still works wonders.

What you need:

A thin strip of paper or a piece of string
A pen
A ruler (millimeters, not inches)

How to do it:

Wrap the paper or string around the base of your finger. It should feel snug, but not tight.
Mark the point where the ends meet.
Lay it flat and measure the length in millimeters.
Match that number to a ring size chart online.

Quick tip:

Fingers can be moody—swelling in heat, shrinking when cold. So measure at different times of the day and take the average for the most accurate fit.

Already Have a Ring That Fits?

Even easier.

Here’s how:

Lay the ring flat.
Measure the inside diameter (straight across).
Match it to a US ring size chart (see one below!).

Shopping for new rings?

Discover bold, elegant 18K gold-plated rings at Embrell—crafted to fit, designed to empower.

Planning a surprise gift or proposal?

Sneakily borrow one of their rings and trace it or slide it onto your finger and mark where it stops. Just don’t lose it. No pressure.

Printable Ring Sizers (They Work—But Print Smart)

Yes, there are printable ring sizers online. But if your printer messes up the scale, you’ll end up sizing a ring for a doll.

Print it at 100% scale—no “fit to page,” no resizing.

Always cross-check with a ruler before using it.

Timing Is Everything

Fingers change size throughout the day. Really.

They swell after exercise or salty food. They shrink when you’re cold. So when you measure matters.

Best time to measure:

Midday or early evening
After you’ve been moving around
When your hands are warm (but not sweaty)

Avoid measuring:

Right after you wake up
After a hot shower or workout
After eating salty foods (hello, fries)

Secretly Find Someone Else’s Ring Size

Planning a surprise proposal or a “just because” gift?

Here’s how to get their ring size without spoiling the surprise.

Borrow a Ring

Take a ring they wear on the same finger.

Trace it on paper, or try it on your own finger and mark where it fits.

Recruit a Co-Conspirator

Siblings, friends, parents—they’re your best allies.

Send them on a "fun" jewelry shopping trip and ask them to sneak the info back to you.

Use Your Own Finger

Slide their ring onto your finger and mark where it stops.

Later, measure that spot and compare.

Common Ring Sizing Mistakes

These are the things that lead to poor fit (and disappointed faces):

Measuring when cold → Too small
Measuring after heat or exercise → Too big
Ignoring knuckle size → Can’t get the ring on
Assuming all rings fit the same → Wide bands feel tighter than thin ones

Not sure about sizing?
At Embrell, our team can help guide you to the right fit based on ring style and band width. Just send us a message.

US Ring Size Chart

Inside Diameter (mm)	US Size
14.0 mm	3
14.8 mm	4
15.6 mm	5
16.5 mm	6
17.3 mm	7
18.1 mm	8
19.0 mm	9
19.8 mm	10
20.6 mm	11
21.4 mm	12

Always double-check if you're buying from international sites—US, UK, and EU sizes differ.

Can You Resize a Ring Later?

Most rings can be resized one or two sizes up or down. But if the design is intricate—like an eternity band or engraved all around—it might be tough to adjust without damage.

Some jewelers can add sizing beads or liners for minor tweaks, but if you’re investing in a personalized or custom ring, aim to get the size right from the start.

Final Pro Advice:

A perfect ring slides on easily but needs a gentle tug over the knuckle when taking off.
If it falls off when you shake your hand, it’s too loose.
If you need soap or butter to get it off—it’s too tight.