The easiest way to find a ring size at home is to measure a ring that already fits the right finger. The sizer below does that on your screen: calibrate it once with a bank card, lay the ring on the circle, and read off the size.
Size a ring on your screen
Lay a ring that fits flat on the circle, then widen the circle until it just fills the inside of the band. Calibrate first, or the size will only be approximate.
16.50 mm across · 51.8 mm around
LUS 6
Rather have it on paper? The printable chart has a true-size circle for every letter, a strip to wrap around the finger, and a ruler to check the print. One A4 page.
Print the chartSouth African ring size chart
Sizes are measured on the inside of the band. If you have a ruler with millimetres, measure straight across the inside of a ring that fits and find the nearest diameter here. Half sizes sit between the letters.
| Size | Inside diameter | Inside circumference | US size |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 12.0 mm | 37.8 mm | 0.5 |
| B | 12.4 mm | 39.0 mm | 1 |
| C | 12.8 mm | 40.3 mm | 1.5 |
| D | 13.2 mm | 41.5 mm | 2 |
| E | 13.6 mm | 42.8 mm | 2.5 |
| F | 14.0 mm | 44.0 mm | 3 |
| G | 14.4 mm | 45.3 mm | 3.5 |
| H | 14.8 mm | 46.5 mm | 4 |
| I | 15.2 mm | 47.8 mm | 4.5 |
| J | 15.6 mm | 49.0 mm | 5 |
| K | 16.0 mm | 50.3 mm | 5.5 |
| L | 16.4 mm | 51.5 mm | 6 |
| M | 16.8 mm | 52.8 mm | 6.5 |
| N | 17.2 mm | 54.0 mm | 7 |
| O | 17.6 mm | 55.3 mm | 7.5 |
| P | 18.0 mm | 56.5 mm | 8 |
| Q | 18.4 mm | 57.8 mm | 8.5 |
| R | 18.8 mm | 59.0 mm | 9 |
| S | 19.2 mm | 60.3 mm | 9.5 |
| T | 19.6 mm | 61.5 mm | 10 |
| U | 20.0 mm | 62.8 mm | 10.5 |
| V | 20.4 mm | 64.0 mm | 11 |
| W | 20.8 mm | 65.3 mm | 11.5 |
| X | 21.2 mm | 66.5 mm | 12 |
| Y | 21.6 mm | 67.8 mm | 12.5 |
| Z | 22.0 mm | 69.0 mm | 13 |
Published charts differ from one another by a tenth or two of a millimetre, so a measurement that falls between two sizes is best rounded up. The same chart, with true-size circles, is on the printable ring size chart.
How to measure your ring size at home
With a ring that fits
- Use a ring worn on the same finger, on the same hand — fingers differ, and the dominant hand is often larger.
- Measure the inside of the band, not the outside.
- Use the sizer above, the printable chart's circles, or a millimetre ruler and the chart.
With string or paper
- Wrap a thin strip of paper or non-stretch string around the base of the finger.
- Mark where it overlaps, lay it flat and measure the length in millimetres: that is the circumference.
- Find the nearest circumference in the chart. It should slide over the knuckle with a little resistance.
- Or print the chart and cut out its sizer strip, which is marked in letters.
String is less accurate than a ring, because it can stretch or be pulled too tight. If you can, check the result with a jeweller before a ring is made.
Getting it right
- Measure at the end of the day. Fingers are larger when warm and later in the day, and smaller when cold.
- Wide bands fit tighter. For a band wider than about 6 mm, go up half a size.
- Mind the knuckle. If your knuckle is much wider than the base of your finger, size for the knuckle so the ring goes on, and ask your jeweller about sizing beads to stop it turning.
- For a surprise, borrow a ring your partner already wears on that finger, and measure it on the sizer.
Ring size and the stone
Finger size changes how large a stone looks: the same stone reads bigger on a slender finger. Every stone on our site is shown at true size on a hand, so you can judge it before you buy. See the stones, or read how to choose a moissanite.
What ring size system does South Africa use?+
South Africa uses the British letter system, from A to Z, with half sizes in between. Each letter is about 1.25 mm larger in inside circumference, or about 0.4 mm across.
What is the average ring size in South Africa?+
The most common women's size is around L (16.4 mm inside diameter) and the most common men's size around T (19.6 mm), but fingers vary widely, so always measure.
How do I measure my ring size at home?+
Measure a ring that already fits the same finger: use the on-screen sizer on this page after calibrating it with a bank card, or measure the inside diameter with a millimetre ruler and find it in the chart.
Is there a printable ring size chart?+
Yes. The printable chart is one A4 page with a true-size circle for every South African size from A to Z, a strip to cut out and wrap around the finger, and a 50 mm ruler. Print it at 100% (actual size, not fit to page) and check the ruler before you measure.
What size is 17.2 mm?+
An inside diameter of about 17.2 mm is a South African size N, roughly a US 7.
What if I'm between sizes?+
Choose the larger size. Charts differ slightly, fingers swell in warm weather, and a ring that is slightly loose is more comfortable than one that is tight.