Wondering how to measure ring size without having to ask?
Here, we cover three tried-and-true methods for getting the right ring size so you’ll be able to get a proper measurement for the most important ring your partner will ever wear. We have included a printable ring size chart that you may find helpful.
Method 1: Measure a ring your partner wears now
If you are shopping for engagement rings, secretly “borrow” and measure a ring that fits the left-hand ring finger (if they are right-handed, it is likely that the left-hand ring finger is smaller). Then you can easily measure with a ring sizer or tape measure and buy the same size.
Tread carefully — you don’t want them to find out, and you definitely don’t want to lose the ring accidentally! Depending on how much time you have with the ring before they notice it’s gone, here are a few tactics to help find the accurate ring size:
1. Take it to a jeweler.
If you have a few hours, take the ring to a local jeweler to determine the correct ring size for the left ring finger. While this takes some time, it’s also the most accurate way to measure the proper fit.
2. Invest in a ring mandrel.
To accurately and quickly determine the correct size yourself, purchasing or borrowing a ring mandrel (also called a ‘ring sizer’) is a reliable and accurate option to get the perfect size. A mandrel is a tapered rod that is labeled with ring sizes. Simply slide the ring down the mandrel — the line where the ring stops indicates the ring size.
3. Use the printable ring size chart.
Be sure to print our ring size guide ahead of time and use a tape measure or ruler to double-check that it is precisely to scale. You can use it to measure your ring size first so that you know it is accurate. Move the ring from circle to circle until you find the best match for the ring’s inside circumference. If the ring lands between two sizes, always choose the larger one.
4. Trace it.
Carefully trace the inside and outside of the ring on a piece of paper. Repeat several times for added accuracy. Take the paper to a jeweler for a size estimate.
Alternatively, you can use the string method by tying a piece of string to the same size as the ring, and compare it to a ring size chart.
5. Try it on yourself.
If pressed for time, take your partner's existing ring and try it on your own fingers to see if one of them fits well. If it does, you can measure that finger's ring size later to figure out the perfect fit.