Measuring Body Jewelry
How Do I Know What Size My Body Piercing Is?
Everyone's body is different, and sometimes piercers will use different lengths and gauges depending on your body or the type of body jewelry you want to wear. We've provided a list of industry standard sizes for body jewelry used for each piercing. However, we cannot guarantee that the size on our chart is the size used for your specific piercing. What you will find below are the standard gauges and lengths or diameters used by professional piercers. If you are unsure of what size piercing jewelry to get, we recommend calling or visiting your piercer to ask them.
Standard Piercing Sizes
| Piercing | Standard Gauge | Standard Length |
|---|---|---|
| Belly / Navel Ring | 14G | 3/8" , 7/16" |
| Nose Piercing | 20G , 18G | 1/4" , 5/16" |
| Tongue Piercing | 14G | 5/8" |
| Cartilage Piercing (Helix) | 16G , 18G | 3/16" , 1/4" and 5/16" |
| Eyebrow Piercing | 16G (14G is also commonly used) | 1/4" , 5/16" and 3/8" |
| Industrial Barbell | 14G (16G is also commonly used) | 1 1/2" (varies) |
| Labret Lip Rings | 14G or 16G | 1/4" , 5/16", and 3/8" |
| Monroe Piercing | 16G | 1/4" , 5/16" and 3/8" |
| Nipple Piercing | 14G | 3/8" , 1/2", 9/16" |
| Tragus / Helix / Rook / Conch / Daith | 16G , 18G | 3/16", 1/4" , 5/16" and 3/8" |
| Septum | 14G (16G is also commonly used) | 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", and 5/8" |
| Ear Lobe Piercings | 20G or 22G |
Gauge
What Gauge Is My Piercing Jewelry?
The "gauge" of your piercing is the thickness of the bar that goes through your piercing. In other words, it's the barbell's thickness. Note that the thicker the barbell, the lower the gauge size. So a 12 gauge (or 12G) barbell is much thicker than a 20 gauge (20G) barbell.
Piercing Jewelry Length
What Is The Length Of My Body Jewelry?
The length of your piercing jewelry refers to the wearable length of the barbell that goes through your piercing. It is measured from the top to the bottom of the straight barbell and does not include the balls or charms.
Piercing Jewelry Diameter
What Is The Diameter Of My Body Jewelry?
Diameter is used to measure the size of round barbells like hoops, captives, and circulars. It is measured from the inner and widest point of the circle.
Captive Bead Rings
Captive Bead Rings, seam or seamless rings and clicker rings are all measured from the largest inside diameter.
Captive Bead Rings are also known as CBRs, BCRs, and Ball Captive Rings. They come in many variations, shapes, and sizes, but the same measuring rule applies. Always measure the largest inside diameter of the circle.
We carry captives and rings in a variety of gauges and lengths to suit any piercing. If you cannot find a specific size you need, please contact us.
Shop High Quality Captives & Hoops
Straight Barbells
Measure the length of a barbell between the two balls along the length of the bar, as shown in the diagram.
We carry barbells in an assortment of gauges and lengths so that you can find the perfect fit for you specific piercing.
Shop High Quality Straight Barbells
Circular Barbells / Horseshoe Barbells
Circular/horseshoe barbells are commonly used as belly rings, septum rings, nipple piercing rings, eyebrow rings, earrings, ear plugs, and for genital piercings. Circular barbells are measured from the largest inside diameter.
All piercings are different, which is why we have a great selection of 14k gold circular barbells in every gauge and length.
Bestselling Circular Barbells
Curved Barbells & Belly Button Rings
Curved barbells, also know as bent barbells, are commonly used for belly button rings, nipple rings, eyebrow jewelry, rook piercings, and even septum piercings. Curved barbells are measured in a straight line from the inner length between the two balls.
Suitable piercings:
Best Selling Flat Back Studs
Nose Rings
The standard gauge for nose rings is 18G. Nose twists, also known as nose screws or nose studs, are measured from the base of the ball or charm to the beginning of the twist, as shown in the diagram. Measure nose bones to the end of the shaft before the beaded tip. Nose fishtails are measured from the base of the ball or charm to the end of the barbell. For more help picking the right nose ring for you, check out our Nose Piercing & Jewelry Guide.
We carry nose rings in 18G - 20G. From diamond nose rings to sapphire studs, we have tons of beautiful styles to choose from in gold and platinum.
Bestselling Nose Rings
Labrets, Lip Rings, Cartilage & Tragus Earrings
Flat-Back Earrings, also know as Labrets, are worn in a variety of ear piercings such as lobe, helix, tragus earrings and cartilage studs; as well as in lip piercings and around the cheeks and mouth. The flat back is perfect for piercings that require a close fit. They are measured from the base of the ball to the top of the flat disc. Standard lengths for labrets are 1/4" or 5/16". The 3/16" is generally used for cartilage piercings rather than lip piercings for a nice, snug fit.
We carry labrets in many different sizes and styles.
Bestselling Flat-Backs Studs
Plugs, Tunnels, And Earlets Body Jewelry
An ear plug wearable length is measured from the inside edge of the horizontal line, as shown in the diagram. The same measurement applies of earlets and ear tunnel body jewelry.
Plugs are manufactured in many different gauges, designs, and variations.
Best Selling Plugs & Tunnels
Inches & MM Conversion Charts
Please find a conversion charts below for those of you using the metric system.
Gauge to Millimeters Conversion
|
Gauge |
Inches |
Millimeters |
|
22G |
0.025 |
0.64mm |
|
20G |
.032" |
0.81mm |
|
18G |
.040" |
1.0mm |
|
16G |
.050" |
1.2mm |
|
14G |
.064" |
1.6mm |
|
12G |
.082" |
2.0mm |
|
10G |
.102" |
2.5mm |
|
8G |
.125" |
3.0mm |
|
6G |
.162" |
4.0mm |
|
4G |
.204" |
5.0mm |
|
2G |
.250" |
6.0mm |
|
0G |
.312" |
8.0mm |
|
00G |
.375" |
10.0mm |
Length & Diameter Conversion
|
Inches |
Millimeters |
|
3/16" |
4.7 |
|
1/4" |
6.4 |
|
5/16" |
8 |
|
3/8" |
9.5 |
|
7/16" |
11 |
|
1/2" |
13 |
|
9/16" |
14 |
|
5/8" |
16 |
|
3/4" |
19 |
|
7/8" |
22 |
|
15/16" |
24 |
|
1" |
25 |
|
1 1/2" |
38 |
