How to Measure Your Ring Size Correctly

Thank goodness for the internet and it's plethora of instructions and directions on how to do just about anything, including how to measure your ring finger. Not only should every girl know their ring size for the sake of their own shopping knowledge, but also for the people around them who wish to give the gift of a ring, especially the almighty engagement ring!

Now, while on the topic of romantic engagements, we all know that a wedding proposal is one of the most stressful and exciting times of a couple's life. This stress also includes ring shopping. The choice of color, metal, cut, and style are enough to make anyone's head spin, which is why worrying about something as simple as accurate ring size shouldn't be a concern at all. It truly is the one factor of the whole ring purchase experience that doesn't require your opinion.

Now listen, it is with pleasure that I give you these methods of measurement and to assist in finding the perfectly fitting ring, but there is one thing I can not do. And that my friend is implementing these methods without giving away the surprise that an engagement may be coming. This is where your own creative geniuses must come into play, but I can promise you that if you follow these suggestions correctly, the fear of the ring fitting or not will no longer be a fear. It will be one piece of information you can share with your jeweler in confidence and confidence can go a long way when it comes to popping the question. There are so many potential proposals-gone-wrong situations that the ring falling off of her finger or not getting pass her knuckle shouldn't be one of them.

Hopefully, this introduction is helping calm your nerves rather than the opposite, but if not, I sincerely apologize. I tend to get very serious when it comes to discussing LOVE as well as shopping for expensive jewels, so when you combine these two things, I can get a bit enthusiastic. Ha! So get your pen and pad and pay attention because here are five ways to correctly measure your ring finger.

Pre-measurement Knowledge

You are probably thinking, "what could I possibly have to know or do before measuring a finger? This isn't rocket science lady!" Well, you're wrong, because there a few things you should take into account in order to find your absolute perfect fit. Before anything, make sure you are measuring the correct finger you wish to wear the ring on, duh and never measure after activities or food that may alter the natural size of your finger. For instance, it would be wise to avoid measuring or shopping for a ring the morning after a night of drinking alcohol or eating a high-sodium meal. These cause your body to swell and could throw off your sizing by an entire ring size. Same goes for the time of the month. I know the first few days of my period and right before, that I retain a lot of water a.k.a. bloated sausage fingers, so it is best to work around that time. Lastly, exercise and prolonged activity can also cause swelling, affecting the true measurement of your finger, so I suggest to measure before or a few hours after.

You should also know what a correctly fitted ring should look and feel like. The first way to test that is by standing up with your hands dangling down by your sides. Give your hands a light shake and if the ring begins to travel down your finger or fall off than it is too big. You can also tell if it is too large by being able to put it on and take it off without any tension whatsoever. It shouldn't be difficult per se, but you should feel a bit of tension when passing the knuckle in either direction. Also, if you are moving your hands and the ring can swivel 360 degrees, is also another red flag that your ring band is too big.

When it comes to a ring being too small it's pretty obvious. If you experience any uncomfortableness while closing your fist or see any red or purple tint around the band than you need to size up. You should be able to pass your knuckle with slight tension and than glide easily to the base of your finger.

So what are the average sizes for men and women's ring fingers? For women, the available sizes range from size 3 to size 9, most commonly 5 to 7, and with size 6 being the most popular. For men, it ranges from size 6 to 13, most commonly 8 to 10, with size 9 being the most popular.

OK, so now that you know when to measure and what to look for let us discuss the methods to measure.

Printable Circular Sizing Chart

Many people assume in order to find your ring size you must measure your finger, but it can also be done by measuring a ring you already have using a ring size chart. The most popular option for boyfriends/girlfriends to get a ring size without their partner knowing. Many online retailers, like this version from Blue Nile, offer printable ring sizer charts for free. However, please be sure to choose a ring that fits on the finger you are shopping for. You don't want to secretly take and measure a ring that your partner wears on their middle finger if shopping for an engagement ring, which is most traditionally worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. When using this version of measurement, simply place the ring over the circles, matching the inside edge of the ring to the circle nearest in size. This measurement refers to the inside diameter of the ring. If the ring falls between two sizes, it is always best to order the larger size.

String, Paper, and Ruler

The oldest version of measurement is with string, paper, and ruler. Once again, be sure to measure the correct finger on the correct hand. Your index finger on your dominant hand will definitely be bigger than the index finger on your non-dominant hand, so do not assume same finger, same size. Using this sizing method to find the perfect fit you simply need to wrap a piece of string or strip of paper (or thread and even dental floss) around the base of your finger and than measure it. After you wrap the string around the base of your finger, mark the points with a pen, unwrap the string or paper, place on a flat service, and than measure the length between marks using a ruler (mm). Be sure not to pull the string too tight when measuring as it will stretch the tighter you pull.

Specialized Ring Measuring Tool

For the best accuracy possible, your best bet is to purchase a specialized ring measuring tool. There are two common and fairly inexpensive tools which can be purchased online, one of which you have probably seen at a jeweler. It is basically a keychain full of different sized rings ranging from size 1 or 3 to size 13, preferably offering both half and whole sized rings. Without a doubt the quickest and most accurate form of finger measurement, however with a small cost. Amazon offers this Finger Sizer Measuring Tool by Mudder for only $7.49.

The second purchasable option to find your ring size is basically a measuring tape mini-belt small enough for fingers. You simply slide it on your finger and tighten the plastic until it feels snug and than read it just as you would with a regular measuring tape. These can be found for as little as $3.99, like this one from Peacock's Jewels sold on Amazon. It measures from size 1 all the way up to size 17.

For people who often shop for jewelry from home, investing in a tool may be worth it. For others, who purchase sparingly, using the other two free methods listed first, will work just as well. Good luck!