The Complete Guide to Measuring Body Jewelry
Your new piercing has healed up and you're ready to level up your jewelry game with a new stud, ring, maybe a belly button jewel, or a stunning new nipple cover. You will find the perfect addition to your collection in our online store when asked to select a size. Wait, do I have a size? How to know your size? We are here to help.
important: Pierced strongly recommends that sizing be done by a reputable piercer for accurate results. Once you know your size, you'll be ready to shop online for new jewelry without having to worry about size..
First, yes, you have a unique size. Unlike traditional jewelry that is widely made in one size, body jewelry can thankfully be tailored to your unique anatomy and style. Sure, a pair of jeans can suit different people, but we all know that the perfect fit can enhance your look as well as make it more comfortable.
Secondly, the best way to find out the size of your jewelry or pin (labret/backing) is to visit a reputed piercer. Not only will they be able to accurately measure you, but they will also make sure your piercing is fully healed and ready to be replaced.
Why is it important that your piercing is completely healed before measuring?
Changing the shape or size of the jewelry too early can be detrimental to the healing process. If you measure yourself while healing, you may get incorrect results as swelling may still occur.
Luckily, if you're sure your piercing has healed but don't have the opportunity to visit a piercer, you can still measure the size of your jewelry to change your look. Let's get down to the finer details of how to measure your current body jewelry.
How to measure jewelry for a healed piercing.
Always wash your hands before and after touching a piercing or body jewelry.
You will need:
- Hand soap
- Ruler / Caliper
- Helping hand
When you measure yourself, make sure the tissue is at rest. You should never manipulate the fabric as this may change the result. Keep your hands off whatever you are measuring and bring the instrument to that area.
How to measure the size of a carnation jewelry.
To wear stud jewelry, you need two pieces. One is the tip (also known as the top) which is the decorative piece that sits on top of your piercing, and the other is the pin (also known as the labret or backing) that is part of your piercing.
At Pierced, we use mostly threadless ends and flat back pins that are ideal for healing and comfort.
To find out your stud jewelry size, you need to find two measurements:
- Your mail sensor
- Length of your post
How to measure post length
You will need to measure the width of the tissue between the entry and exit wounds. It's tricky to measure correctly on your own, and we recommend that you ask someone to lend a hand.
Make sure you both wash your hands and that the tissue is in the off position. Using a ruler or a clean set of calipers, measure the distance between the inlet and outlet.
Marking where the entry and exit is is key because if you slept too long during the piercing or did it at an angle, there will be more surface area to cover than if it healed at the perfect 90 degree angle.
If your piercing is at an extreme angle, you should also consider the disc on the back of the post and where it will sit. If the stand is too tight, it will touch your ear at an angle.
Most body jewelry is measured in fractions of an inch. If you are not familiar with the imperial system, you can use the chart below to find your size in millimeters (metric).
If after measuring your size you are still unsure, remember that a little more space is better than too little.
| inches | Millimeters |
| 3/16" | 4.8mm |
| 7/32" | 5.5mm |
| 1/4" | 6.4mm |
| 9/32" | 7.2mm |
| 5/16" | 7.9mm |
| 11/32" | 8.7mm |
| 3/8" | 9.5mm |
| 7/16" | 11mm |
| 1/2" | 13mm |
How to measure the size of a post
The gauge size of your piercing is the thickness of the pin that goes through your piercing. Gauge sizes work in reverse, meaning that higher numbers are thinner than smaller ones. For example, an 18 gauge post is thinner than a 16 gauge post.
If you are already wearing jewelry, the easiest way to do this is to measure your jewelry and use the chart below to determine your size.
| measuring device | Millimeters |
| 20g | 0.8mm |
| 18g | 1mm |
| 16g | 1.2mm |
| 14g | 1.6mm |
| 12g | 2mm |
If you are currently wearing something thinner than 18g, you will probably need professional help fitting your jewelry. Regular salon jewelry is usually a size 20 or 22, and a size 18 is larger in diameter, so your piercing will need to be stretched to fit in this case.
Click on the calibration card above to download the printable file for measuring your wearable jewelry. Make sure you print it at 100% original size and don't scale it to fit the paper.
How to measure a hoop (ring) jewelry
Seam rings and clicker rings come in two sizes:
- pressure gauge ring
- Ring diameter
Ring sizing is best done by a professional piercer, as there are many factors involved in correctly measuring for hoop placement, resulting in the most accurate and comfortable fit.
Ring gauges are measured in the same way as pole gauges. Simply measure your existing jewelry gauge and use the table above if you are looking for the same ring thickness.
The next thing you need to do is find out the inner diameter of the ring. The ring should be large enough in diameter to comfortably fit the structures it contacts and not manipulate the initial puncture too much. For example, rings that are too tight can cause irritation and damage to the piercing, and are also very difficult to install.
To find the best inside diameter, you should measure from the piercing hole to the edge of your ear, nose, or lip.
Sizing may not be as exciting as buying new jewelry, but it's sure to help you achieve the look you want while also being as comfortable as possible to wear. If you're not 100% confident in your ability to size and install your jewelry yourself, don't be discouraged. We are here to help. Come to one of our studios and our piercers will be happy to help you find the perfect size.
Important: Pierced strongly recommends that measurements be taken by a reputable piercer for accurate results. Once you know your size, you will be ready to buy new jewelry online without thinking about the size. Due to strict hygiene regulations, we are unable to offer returns or exchanges.
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