How to Measure Ring Size at Home: Complete Guide for Men

Getting your ring size right actually matters. Especially if you're buying tungsten, titanium, or anything that can't be resized later. Five minutes measuring properly beats waiting for an exchange.

The most accurate way? Visit a jeweller and get professionally measured. But if you're ordering online or want to check your size before heading to a shop, you can get a good measurement at home in under 5 minutes. String, paper, or a ring sizer. That's all you need.

Most accurate: Professional measurement at a jeweller

A jeweller uses proper ring sizers with metal bands in every size. They'll check multiple sizes, account for your knuckle, and give you expert advice on width and fit. If you're buying an expensive ring or one that can't be resized, this is worth doing.

Next best: A proper ring sizer tool

A physical ring sizer gives you the same accuracy as a jeweller. We sell a reusable ring sizer that includes a full set of sizing bands you can try on your actual finger: This is more reliable than string or paper because you're trying on actual ring shaped bands, not estimating from a measurement.

At home methods: Good but not perfect

String, paper, or printable sizers work well and most people get accurate results. But there's more room for error. Measure carefully, measure multiple times, and you'll be fine.

Buy a gold or platinum ring and get the size wrong? A jeweller can size it. Annoying, but fixable.

But tungsten, titanium, stainless steel, ceramic? These don't resize. Get it wrong and you're stuck with:

• A ring spinning around your finger because it's too loose
• A ring you can't get past your knuckle because it's too tight
• Daily discomfort from something leaving marks or restricting movement
• The hassle of returns and waiting for exchanges (if your retailer even offers them). At Nord London we do we have an extensive returns policy so this eliminates this issue.

Five minutes now saves you weeks of hassle. It's Worth it.

This is how most people do it at home. You need:

• String, dental floss, or a thin strip of paper (fabric tape stretches, so avoid that)
• A pen or marker
• A ruler showing millimetres or inches

Here's how:

• Wrap the string around the base of your ring finger. Not over the knuckle, just the base
• Pull it snug but not tight. You should still be able to slide it over your knuckle without force
• Mark where the string overlaps using your pen
• Lay it flat and measure from the end to your mark in millimetres
• Find your size using the conversion chart below

Things that actually help:

• Measure three or four times and average it out. You'll get slightly different numbers each go
• Paper tends to give more consistent results than string because it's stiffer
• Check the string isn't twisted when you measure

Note: This method works but isn't as accurate as using a proper ring sizer or getting professionally measured. If you're buying an expensive ring, consider investing in a ring sizer tool.

Already own a ring that fits well? This is probably your most accurate at home option.

 You need:

• A ring that fits your ring finger comfortably
• A ruler with millimetre markings

What to do:

• Put the ring on a flat surface
• Measure the inside diameter in millimetres. That's the widest point from inner edge to inner edge
• Match that diameter to a size in the chart below

Quick tip: Our printable ring sizer has circles for every UK size already drawn. Just place your existing ring over them until you find the match. No ruler needed. 

Important bit: Make sure you're measuring a ring that actually fits the finger you're buying for. A ring from your middle finger won't tell you anything useful about your ring finger.

We've made a proper ring sizer you can download and print. Here's how it works:

Step 1: Get it printed

• Download our ring sizer PDF
• Print at 100% scale. Not 'fit to page' or any auto sizing
• Check it printed correctly using the 10cm ruler on each page

Step 2: Pick which tool to use

The sizer includes three different tools:

• A finger gauge you cut out with all the size markings on it
• Circles showing every ring diameter so you can measure rings you own
• Width bars so you can actually see how different widths look

Step 3: Measure

• Using the finger gauge: Cut it out, wrap it round your finger, slide it through the slot
• Using the circles: Place your ring over each circle until you find the one that matches
• Using the width bars: Hold them against your finger to visualize how wide different rings actually are

This gives you accuracy plus you can actually see what different sizes and widths look like on your hand before you order.

Your fingers change size during the day. Measure at the wrong time and you'll get the wrong result.

Best time to measure:
Late afternoon or early evening. Your fingers are at their average size, not unusually small or swollen.

Times to avoid:

• First thing in the morning. Fingers are smaller after lying down all night (fluid drains away from extremities)
• Immediately after exercise or lifting weights. Fingers swell temporarily from increased blood flow
• After drinking alcohol. Causes water retention and swelling
• During very hot weather or after a hot shower. Heat makes fingers swell
• When your hands are very cold. Cold makes fingers temporarily smaller
• After too much caffeine or salt. Both can affect fluid retention
• During pregnancy. Water retention affects finger size

Best approach? Measure on multiple days at the same time (late afternoon) and average it. Fingers can vary by half a size or more depending on what's going on.

This is where people usually get it wrong. Your ring needs to fit both the base of your finger and your knuckle.

If your knuckle is noticeably bigger than the base of your finger, you've got a choice to make:

• Size for the base. The ring fits snugly at the base but you struggle getting it over your knuckle
• Size for the knuckle. The ring slides over easily but spins around on your finger

What to do:

Measure both your knuckle and the base of your finger. If there's more than 1mm or 2mm difference:

• Go for the size that fits your knuckle. You need to actually get the ring on and off
• Look for comfort fit rings. The rounded interior helps with knuckle clearance
• Consider a slightly domed exterior. These slide over knuckles more easily than flat profiles

A bit of spinning at the base is normal and fine. A ring you can't remove isn't.

Wider rings feel tighter than narrow rings even at the same size. They cover more of your finger.

Width isn't just about looks. It actually affects fit. Here's the range: 

• 1.6mm to 2.5mm: Very thin, delicate bands. Less common for men
• 3mm to 4mm: Slim profile, subtle
• 5mm to 6mm: Standard width, works with everything. Most popular choice
• 8mm: Bold, substantial presence
• 10mm or wider: Very wide, maximum impact

The wider it is, the tighter it feels at the same size because more surface area is touching your finger.

General rule:

• 6mm or narrower: Order your measured size
• 8mm: Think about going up half a size if you're between sizes
• 10mm or wider: Go up half to one full size from what you measured

Never worn a ring before? Start with your measured size for an 8mm ring. You can always exchange if you need to.

Most modern men's rings use comfort fit, but here's the difference:

Standard fit: Flat on the inside. More surface area touching your finger. Feels tighter.

Comfort fit: Rounded interior that curves slightly. Less contact with your finger. More comfortable for wearing all day.

Because comfort fit rings touch less of your finger, they often feel a bit looser than standard fit at the same size.

That said, most jewellers already account for this

Measurement falls exactly between two sizes? Here's how to decide:

Size up if:

• Your knuckle is bigger than the base of your finger
• You're buying an 8mm or wider ring
• You live somewhere warm. Heat makes fingers swell
• You have thicker joints or work with your hands a lot

Size down if: 

• Your knuckle and finger base are similar sizes
• You're buying a 6mm or narrower ring
• You have slim fingers or work in an office
• You like jewellery to fit snug

Genuinely can't decide? Order both sizes, wear them each for an hour, careful not to damage them, then return the one that doesn't work.

1. Measuring the wrong finger
   Every finger is a different size. Measure your middle finger and order that size for your ring finger? Won't work.
2. Measuring when your hands are cold
   Cold fingers are smaller. Measure when your hands are at normal room temperature.
3. Pulling the string too tight
   The string should be snug but not cutting in. You should still be able to slide it over your knuckle with a bit of resistance.
4. Assuming your size hasn't changed
   Last bought a ring 5 or 10 years ago? Your size has probably changed. Weight, age, activity level will all affect it
5. Ordering the first size that fits
   Try it on multiple times over a full day before you commit. What feels fine in the morning might be too tight by evening.
   
   

A properly fitted ring should:

• Slide over your knuckle with a bit of resistance. Not painful, not easy
• Sit snug at the base of your finger without cutting off circulation
• Not spin all the way around with minimal effort
• Leave no deep indent or red mark after wearing for a few hours
• Come off with a gentle twist and pull. Not slide off by itself, but not needing soap to help.

A bit of movement is normal. The ring might rotate slightly during the day. That's fine. What you're avoiding is a ring that spins freely or one you can't get off.