Measurement Guide

In this guide we will teach you how to measure Gauge, Diameter, and Chains for your piercings and jewelry. 

Gauge and Diameter are terms you might have heard before but didn’t pay much mind to.

That’s okay, most studios keep record of what you purchased for jewelry warranty information but also sizing. The best place to start would be reaching out to your local piercing studio. If this is not an option for you, we understand, which is why we’ve made this simple and effective “how to” guide. 

Let’s go over some body piercing terminology first so that we both understand what this article says! Body piercers and studios use these terms regularly and you should know what these things mean when shopping for body jewelry online. 

Diameter is the straight-line distance measured across the inside of circular or hoop-style body jewelry, such as a nose ring, hoop earring, septum clicker, or captive bead ring, from one internal edge to the opposite edge at its widest point.

Gauge refers to the measurement of how thick or wide the wearable portion of body jewelry is, such as a post, barbell, or wire.

Now that we know what the terms mean, let's gather our supplies! You can find all these supplies easily around the house, office, or anywhere you leave pens and paper.

You’ll want a ruler if possible, this will be the best tool to use. If you do not have a ruler there are measurement tools on most smart phones but be sure to use centimeter measurements, or millimeter if possible.

You’ll also want a sharpie, paper, and string if you are measuring for piercing chains. 

Quick Supply List: 

-Ruler or measuring tool! 

-Sharpie or marker 

-Paper (scrap paper works great!)

-String for chain measurements

Below you’ll find our simple guide to taking measurements for piercings such as: helix, nostril, septum, daith, earlobes, tragus, lip piercings, forward helix, even conch piercings. 

Diameter:  

Diameter refers to the size of the ring from each end. Diameter can be easily self measured with a piece of paper, marker, and a ruler.

1. Hold the paper up to your piercing. Use the end of the paper as a starting point.

2. Mark the paper where your skin ends.

3. Take your paper and measure the length of the mark in millimeters (on the centimeter side) to determine your size!

Diameter can be measured in metric or standard sizing. The chart below will help determine what size to order based on the measurement you just took.

Gauge: 

Gauge lets us know how thick the jewelry needs to be. This is the thickness of the post or ring that sits in the piercing. The style of jewelry you’re wearing will determine which part you’ll take the measurement from. You’ll measure the part of the jewelry that sits in your piercing channel. This is often referred to as the post. You’ll measure the thickness of the post using the centimeter side of a ruler as well.

Gauge can be measured in metric or standard sizing. The chart below will help determine what size to order based on the measurement you just took.

Chains: 

We recommend adding chains to healed piercings! For the most accurate measurement visit your local body piercer. Chains are measured internally. The rings on the end are NOT included in measurements.

Chains can be easily self measured with a piece of string, marker, and a ruler.

1.Hold the string up to your piercing. Use one end of the string as a starting point.

2. Connect the string to the next end point and mark.

3. Take your string and measure the length from the end to the mark in millimeters (on the centimeter side) to determine your size!

Using these methods will ensure that you have the accurate measurements for your jewelry, and know exactly what you need for your piercings.