Piercing Jewellery Size Guide

Ring: width inside

This is called the inner diameter. Measure straight across the space inside a ring that fits. Do not count the metal. For an oval ring, check the inside height and width too.

Stud or straight bar: bar length

Measure the part between the top and the back or ball. Do not count the ends or screw threads. This is the part that sits in the piercing.

Curved bar: straight gap

Measure the straight gap between the inside faces of the ends. Do not measure along the bend. Do not count the balls or gems.

Gauge means thickness

This is how thick the bar or ring is. It is not its length or inside width. Match the thickness you already wear.

These numbers explain size names. They do not tell you which one fits your body. Do not force a thicker bar into a hole.

Anti-Tragus

This is the small bump above the ear lobe. Check the bar length or the width inside a ring that fits. Ask a piercer to check the size.

Conch

This is the bowl in the middle of your ear. For a stud, check the bar length. For a hoop, check the width inside a ring that fits. The hole-to-edge picture is only a rough guide.

See the hole-to-edge pictures

Daith

This is the small fold just above the ear hole. Check the width inside the ring. The ring must have room around the fold. Do not measure to the outside edge of your ear.

Helix

This is the rim near the top of your ear. For a stud, check the bar length. For a hoop, check the width inside the ring. A hole-to-edge check is only a rough guide.

See the hole-to-edge pictures

Hidden Helix

This sits under the fold at the top of your ear. Check the bar length. The top and chain have their own sizes. They should not press into your ear.

Industrial

One long bar joins two holes in the ear. Check the bar between its two ends. Both holes must line up with the bar. Ask a piercer to check the fit.

Orbital

One ring joins two holes. It must fit both holes at once. Ask a piercer to check the ring size. The picture shows one example.

Lobe

This is the soft part at the bottom of your ear. For a stud, check the bar length. For a hoop, check the width inside the ring.

See the hole-to-edge pictures

Rook

This is the fold near the top of the inner ear. Check the length of a curved bar that fits. If you want a ring, ask a piercer to check the size.

Tragus

This is the small flap in front of your ear hole. For a stud, check the bar length and the size of the top. A ring needs a separate size check.

Snug (Anti-Helix)

This goes through the ridge inside the ear rim. Check the bar length. This part of the ear can vary a lot. Ask a piercer to check the fit.

Bridge

This sits across the top of the nose, between the eyes. Check the bar length. Ask a piercer to measure it. The width of your nose is not the bar size.

Nostril

This sits on the side of the nose. For a ring, check the width inside it. For a stud, check the part of the bar that sits in the hole. A bent stud needs a shape check too.

See the hole-to-edge pictures

Septum

This sits under the middle of the nose. Check the width inside a ring that fits. Shaped rings may have a different inside height. Ask a piercer if you are not sure.

Bite

Bite can mean more than one style of lip piercing. The picture shows one example. Check each hole on its own. Two holes may need different sizes.

Cheek

This sits in the cheek. Cheek size can change with swelling. Ask a piercer to measure the bar for you. Do not guess from a lip bar size.

Jestrum

This goes up and down through the top lip. It uses a curved bar. Ask a piercer to check its length and the space at both ends.

Labret

This sits below the bottom lip. Check the bar between the top and flat back. Do not count the top or back. A vertical labret is a different piercing.

Lip

For a stud, check the bar length. For a ring, check the width inside it. Ask a piercer to check how it sits against your lip, teeth and gums.

Madonna

This sits above one side of the top lip. Check the bar between the top and flat back. A piercer can check the space inside your mouth.

Medusa

This sits in the middle, above the top lip. Check the bar length. Do not count the top or flat back. Ask a piercer to check the fit.

Monroe

This sits above the other side of the top lip. Check the bar between the top and flat back. A piercer can check the space inside your mouth.

Check the straight bar between its two balls. A long bar used for swelling may be too long later. Ask a piercer before you choose a shorter one.

Vertical Labret

This goes up and down through the bottom lip. It uses a curved bar. Check the bar length with a piercer. It is not the same as a flat-back lip stud.