Butterfly Back Earrings Size Guide

Use this guide to understand stud earring sizing for healed earlobe piercings, including post thickness, gauge and post length. Whether you're choosing traditional butterfly back earrings or threaded screw back earrings, we'll show you how the measurements work and how to find a comfortable fit.

Typical Sizes for Earlobe Stud Earrings

Earring Type	Common Gauge	Typical Post Length*
Butterfly Back Stud	20G–18G	8–11mm
Threaded / Screw Back Stud	20G–16G	6–10mm

*Typical sizes are a guide for healed earlobe piercings only. Anatomy, piercing placement and earlobe thickness vary, so your ideal post length may differ. Where possible, measure an earring that already fits you comfortably.

Gauge / Post Thickness

Gauge	Thickness	Commonly Used For
20G	0.8mm	Traditional stud earrings and many healed lobe piercings
18G	1.0mm	Thicker stud earrings and some lobe jewellery
16G	1.2mm	Thicker piercing-style earrings and threaded jewellery

 

Post Length

Length	Fit
6mm	Very close fit for thinner earlobes
8mm	Close, neat fit for many healed earlobe piercings
10mm	Comfortable standard length for many traditional stud earrings
11–12mm	More room for thicker earlobes or a looser fit

 

Butterfly Back Earrings

Butterfly back earrings use a traditional straight post with a push-on backing. The butterfly back slides onto the post and can usually be positioned to give a comfortable fit behind the earlobe.

The post should leave enough room for the earlobe without feeling tight or pressing into the skin.

Threaded / Screw Back Earrings

Threaded earrings use a backing that screws onto the end of the post rather than pushing into place. This gives the earring a more secure closure and can help reduce the chance of the backing coming loose during everyday wear.

Always check the individual product specifications for the exact gauge and post length, as these can vary between designs.

How is post length measured?

Post length is measured from the back of the decorative front to the end of the wearable earring post.

The decorative front and butterfly or screw-on backing are not included in the post length measurement.

Everyone’s anatomy is different. If possible, measure a pair of earrings that already fits you comfortably before choosing your size.