Two Art Deco bands, both size 5. Antique rings come in the sizes they come in. Antique Art Deco Bands, 23K gold, 1927 and 1933
The most accurate home method is not string around your finger; it is measuring a ring that already fits. Lay it on a ruler, read the inside diameter in millimeters, and convert with the chart below. That is how I size every ring in the shop, and it removes the guesswork that string and paper strips introduce.
Method 1: Measure a ring that fits (best)
Take a ring that fits the intended finger comfortably. Measure the inside diameter, edge to edge across the center, in millimeters; a clear ruler or calipers both work. Then read the size off this chart:
| Inside diameter | US size | UK size | EU size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.9 mm | 4 | H 1/2 | 47 |
| 15.3 mm | 4.5 | I 1/2 | 48 |
| 15.7 mm | 5 | J 1/2 | 49 |
| 16.1 mm | 5.5 | K 1/2 | 50.5 |
| 16.5 mm | 6 | L 1/2 | 52 |
| 16.9 mm | 6.5 | M 1/2 | 53 |
| 17.3 mm | 7 | N 1/2 | 54.5 |
| 17.7 mm | 7.5 | O 1/2 | 55.5 |
| 18.1 mm | 8 | P 1/2 | 57 |
| 18.5 mm | 8.5 | Q 1/2 | 58 |
| 19.0 mm | 9 | R 1/2 | 59.5 |
| 19.4 mm | 9.5 | S 1/2 | 61 |
| 19.8 mm | 10 | T 1/2 | 62 |
European sizes are simply the circumference in millimeters, which is the diameter times pi; that is why EU 52 and US 6 describe the same finger.
Method 2: String or a paper strip (use with caution)
Wrap a strip of paper snugly around the base of the finger, mark where it overlaps, and measure the length: that is your circumference, which is directly your EU size. It works, but two warnings from experience. String stretches and paper wrinkles, so repeat it three times and trust the median. And "snug" is subjective: it should slide over the knuckle with slight resistance, not fall over it. When the strip method and a well-fitting ring disagree, believe the ring.
When should you measure?
Fingers change size through the day and the seasons, more than most people expect. Measure in the evening, at normal room temperature: cold shrinks fingers up to half a size, heat and salt swell them. If your knuckle is noticeably larger than the base of your finger, size for the knuckle and accept a slightly loose fit at the base; a ring that cannot pass the knuckle fits no one.
Every listing in the shop states the exact size. Antique Art Deco Band, size 6.75, 23K gold, 1928
The wide band rule
Wide bands wear tighter than thin ones, because they cover more finger. For bands 6 mm and wider, go up about a quarter to half a size from your measured size. This is the single most common reason a correctly measured ring feels wrong. The reverse trap exists too: a very thin antique band can feel loose at your usual size and spin on the finger, which sizing beads solve elegantly, as covered in my resizing guide.
What if the antique ring is not your size?
Buy the ring, not the size, within reason. Most antique rings can be moved one to two sizes by a good jeweller; some, like eternity bands and enamel rings, cannot and should not. The resizing guide covers which is which. Between two sizes? Take the larger: making a ring smaller is easier and cheaper than stretching it up, and a sizing bead can always tighten a loose fit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common ring size?
Around US 6 to 7 (EU 52 to 54.5) for women and US 9 to 10 (EU 59.5 to 62) for men. Useful for gift guessing, no substitute for measuring.
How can I find someone's ring size without them knowing?
Borrow a ring they wear on the intended finger and measure its inside diameter, or press it into a bar of soap and measure the impression. Note which finger and hand it comes from; left and right differ.
Should I size up or down if I am between sizes?
Up. A slightly loose ring can be tightened with sizing beads for little money; a tight ring is unwearable and needs actual resizing.
Are US and European ring sizes the same?
No. US uses a numbered scale, Europe uses the circumference in millimeters. US 6 equals EU 52 equals UK L 1/2; the chart above converts between them.
Do fingers really change size during the day?
Yes, up to half a size between a cold morning and a warm evening. Measure in the evening at normal temperature for the truest fit.
How are antique rings measured?
Same as modern ones, by inside diameter. In my shop every ring listing states the measured size in both US and EU terms, so you can compare directly with the chart above.
Read next: Can antique rings be resized? · How to find your bracelet size · 14K vs 18K gold
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