Size Guide

With so many different units of measurement, different sizes and styles available it can sometimes be tricky picking the perfect piece of jewellery. That’s why we have put together the following guide based on personal experience and maybe our info will help you choose your next piercing.

“Your body is a temple. You should decorate it.”

All Things Round

Size Guide for Captive Rings, Hoops, Horseshoes, Twists and Circular Barbells.

Captive rings and other circular jewellery come in so many different sizes that they accommodate the majority of piercings. To size circular jewellery, you’ll need to measure the gauge size and the diameter of the ring.

Dimension size

The gauge size is the thickness of the ring itself—the bit that actually goes into your piercing. The diameter is found by measuring across the widest part of the ring from one inside edge to the other. Captive rings are most commonly found in a range of 18 gauge, (the size of an average nostril piercing) to 00 gauge, (10mm thick); although specialty sizes can be easily found.

Gauge size

The most common measurements for circular jewellery are as follows:  

- Diameter starts at around 1/4″ (6mm) and goes up from there.

- 5/16″ (8mm)

- 3/8″ (10mm)

- 7/16″ (11mm)

- 1/2″ (12mm)

- 3/4″ (19mm)

Diameter size

Small to Medium Diameter: 1/4″ (6mm)

This is a small diameter and can only be made from a small gauge such as 20, 18. 16, and 14 gauge. This is a good size for a tragus cartilage piercing, nostril piercing and upper ear cartilage piercing such as helix.

5/16″ (8mm)

 This diameter is perfect for septum piercings, tragus cartilage piercings, nostril piercings, upper ear cartilage piercings such as helix, lip piercings, ear lobe piercings and eyebrow piercings.

3/8″ (10mm)

 Ideal for septum piercings, ear lobe piercings, eyebrow piercings, navel piercings, lip piercings (labret, Monroe, etc.) and nipple piercings.

Medium to Large Diameter 7/16″ (11mm) and 1/2″ (12mm)

 Perfect for septum piercings, ear lobe piercings, eyebrow piercings, navel piercings, lip piercings, and nipple piercings. Both 11mm and 12mm can be used in all of these piercings except intimate piercings, which requires a 12mm diameter.

3/4″ (19mm)

 This large diameter size can be made from different gauge sizes, but it is most frequently made with larger gauges such as 2, 0, and 00. This is a good size for stretched holes and piercing locations that require a little more girth.

Please note: this information is regarded as the standard sizing for captive rings and their accompanying piercings. Everybody is different and your piercing may differ from the standard. Always be sure to measure accurately. Visit your local piercer to get first-hand assistance in finding the right size diameter for your particular piercing before purchasing your new captive ring.

Size Guide for Nose Piercings

The two most common diameter sizes for nose hoops are 5/16″ (8mm) and 3/8″ (10mm).

Individuals with larger noses or with large-gauge nose piercings may need rings with a larger diameter size. In this case, measuring a hoop that already fits can be a good benchmark.

The average length of a nose ring is about 6mm, but for those who have a slightly thinner or thicker nasal cartilage, 5mm and 7mm lengths are also available.

20 Gauge (0.8mm) is the smallest gauge that most body jewellery will come in and is used almost exclusively in nose piercings, so most nose ring styles come in this gauge.

Size Guide for Ear Piercings

_* Standard Ear Lobe Piercing

_* Upper Ear Lobe Piercing

_* Standard Helix Cartilage Piercing

_* Forward Helix Cartilage Piercing

_* Rook Cartilage Piercing

_* Conch (Inner) Cartilage Piercing

_* Daith Cartilage Piercing

_* Snug (Anti-Helix) Cartilage Piercing

_* Industrial Barbell Cartilage Piercing

_* Tragus Cartilage Piercing

_* Anti-Tragus Cartilage Piercing

DISCLAIMER: the styles and locations in the reference images featured here won't match perfectly with your ear's shape. Each and every person has an anatomy that is uniquely individual and some of the piercings featured in our guide may not be an option for you. The best option is to visit your local professional piercer and ask for their expertise in determining what piercings are ideal for you.

_* Standard Ear Lobe Piercing

Location: the fleshy area of the lower part of your ear where the lobe is at its fullest.

Jewellery:

Initially a circular ring or barbell from 22 gauge (0.6mm) up to 18 gauge (1mm) is used. Length/diameter typically ranging from 5/16″ (8mm) to 5/8″ (16mm). Gauge sizes up to 10 gauge (2.4mm) can be pierced in this location. Jewellery types used also include BCR, horseshoe circular barbells, straight barbells, labret studs, or nostril rings.

_* Upper Ear Lobe Piercing

 Location: higher up on the fleshy portion of the ear near where the helix begins.

Jewellery: 

Initially a circular ring or barbell from 22 gauge (0.6mm) up to 14 gauge (1.6mm) is used. Lengths/diameters typically ranging from 5/16″ (8mm) to 5/8″ (16mm). Jewellery types used can include BCR, horseshoes circular barbells, straight barbells, labret studs, or nostril rings.

_* Standard Helix Cartilage Piercing

Location: through the curled outer rim of the ear from the top of the ear all the way down to the beginning of the ear lobe.

Jewellery:

Initially a circular ring ranging from 18 gauge (1mm) to 14 gauge (1.6mm) is used. Diameter typically ranging from 5/16″ (8mm) to ½″ (12mm). Jewellery types used can also include BCRs, horseshoe circular barbells, straight barbells, and labret/Monroe studs with disc backs.

_* Forward Helix Cartilage Piercing

Location: through the inside of the upper rim of the ear cartilage. Placed where the helix meets your head and usually angled parallel to the face.

Jewellery:

Initially a circular ring or straight barbell ranging from 18 gauge (1mm) to 14 gauge (1.6mm) is used. Diameter typically ranging from 5/16″ (8mm) to 7/16″ (11mm) and length ranging from ¼″ (6mm) to 5/16″ (8mm). Jewellery types used can also include BCRs, horseshoe circular barbells, curved barbells, and labret/Monroe studs with disc backs.

_* Rook Cartilage Piercing

Location: through the highest fold of the cartilage at the top of the ear located between the inner and outer conch areas.

Jewellery: 

Initially a circular ring or curved barbell ranging from 18 gauge (1mm) to 16 gauge (1.2mm) is used. Diameter and length typically ranging from 5/16″ (8mm) to 3/8″ (10mm). Jewellery types used can also include BCRs, eyebrow rings and horseshoe circular barbells.

_* Conch (Inner) Cartilage Piercing

Location: through the deep central bowl-shaped shell (called the concha) of the inner cartilage of the ear. Large surface area provides for a variety of options for placement and projects.

Jewellery:

Initially a straight barbell or large-diameter circular ring is used. From a 16 gauge (1.2mm) to a 12 gauge (2mm) can be used. Length typically ranging from 5/16″ (8mm) to 3/8″ (10mm) and diameter ranging from 1/2″ (12mm) to 5/8″ (16mm). Jewellery types used can also include curved barbells, BCRs, horseshoe circular barbells, and labret studs.

_* Daith Cartilage Piercing

Location: through the innermost fold of the cartilage of your ear beneath the rook and closest to the entrance to the ear canal.

Jewellery:

Initially a curved barbell, circular barbell, or circular ring from 18 gauge (1mm) to 14 gauge (1.6mm) is used. Length and diameter typically ranging from 5/16" (8mm) to 3/8" (10mm). Jewellery types used can include BCRs, horseshoe circular barbells, and septum clickers.

_* Snug (Anti-Helix) Cartilage Piercing

Location: through the vertical rim of the cartilage (not the outermost edge, but it does outline the ear) generally across from the tragus.

Jewellery:

initially a curved or straight barbell will be used typically ranging in thickness of 18 gauge (1mm) to 14 gauge (1.6mm) with a length of 5/16" (8mm) or 3/8" (10mm). Most commonly used jewellery types used can also include circular rings, captive rings (BCRs/CBRs), and horseshoe circular barbells.

_* Industrial Barbell Cartilage Piercing

Location: a connection made in the upper cartilage of the ear made between two piercings. One close to the head in a forward helix position and one on the outer edge of the ear in a standard helix position.

Jewellery:

Initially a long, straight barbell will be used. A gauge size of 14 gauge (1.6mm) with the length dependent on the anatomy of your ear. Other jewellery types used can include flexible PTFE or Bioplast barbells, as well as custom curved barbells.

_* Tragus Cartilage Piercing

Location: through the small nub-like protrusion that covers the opening of the ear canal.

Jewellery:

Initially a straight barbell or captive ring will be used ranging from 18 gauge (1mm) to 14 gauge (1.6mm). Thickness with a 3/8” (10mm) diameter and length of 5/16” (8mm) to 3/8” (10mm). Other jewellery types used can include labret studs, horseshoe circular barbells, and circular rings.

_* Anti-Tragus Cartilage Piercing

Location: in the small, relatively vertical lip of cartilage above the ear lobe and adjacent to the tragus.

Jewellery:

Initially a curved barbell or captive ring will be used ranging from 18 gauge (1mm) to 14 gauge (1.6mm) in thickness. with a minimum size of 5/16" (8mm) in diameter and a length of 5/16" (8mm) to 3/8" (10mm) is used, other jewellery types used can include horseshoe circular barbells, circular rings, and straight Barbells.