Piercing Size Guide

Piercing jewellery sizing can vary depending on the jewellery type, piercing placement and your individual anatomy. Use the guides below to understand gauge, bar length and ring diameter, and how each measurement is taken.

Gauge = the thickness of the jewellery
Length = the wearable length of a bar or post
Diameter = the internal measurement of a hoop or ring
Choose Your Jewellery Type Jump straight to the sizing information you need
Hoops & Clickers Labrets & Flat Backs Belly Bars Nose Jewellery Barbells

Choose Your Piercing Jewellery

Select a jewellery type to view sizes, measurements and fitting guidance.

Hoops & Clickers

Typical Hoop Sizes by Piercing

Piercing Common Gauge Typical Hoop Diameter*
Forward Helix 16G–20G 6–8mm
Helix 16G–20G 8–10mm
Rook 16G–18G 6–8mm
Daith 16G 8–10mm
Lobe 16G–20G Varies
Conch 16G 10–12mm+
Tragus 16G–20G 6–8mm

*Typical sizes are a guide only. Piercing placement and anatomy vary, so your ideal diameter may differ. Where possible, measure jewellery that already fits comfortably.

Gauge / Thickness

Gauge Thickness
20G 0.8mm
18G 1.0mm
16G 1.2mm
14G 1.6mm

Internal Diameter

Diameter General Fit
6mm Very small / close-fitting hoop
8mm Small, close-fitting hoop
10mm Medium hoop with more room
12mm Larger, roomier fit
14mm+ Large diameter hoop

How Do I Measure a Hoop?

Ring size is measured across the inside of the hoop. Gauge refers to the thickness of the jewellery itself.

How to measure the internal diameter and gauge thickness of a hoop or clicker ring
Labrets & Flat Back Studs

Typical Flat Back Sizes by Piercing

Piercing Common Gauge Typical Post Length*
Lobe 16G–20G 6–8mm
Helix 16G–18G 6–8mm
Forward Helix 16G–18G 6mm
Flat 16G–18G 6–8mm
Tragus 16G–18G 6mm
Conch 16G 6–8mm
Nostril 18G–20G 6–8mm

*Typical sizes are a guide for healed piercings only. Anatomy and piercing placement vary, so your ideal post length may differ. Where possible, measure jewellery that already fits comfortably or ask your piercer.

Gauge / Thickness

Gauge Thickness Commonly Used For
20G 0.8mm Fine piercing jewellery
18G 1.0mm Nose and some ear piercings
16G 1.2mm Common cartilage and flat back jewellery size
14G 1.6mm Thicker piercing jewellery

Bar / Post Length

Length General Fit
4mm Very short / close fit
6mm Close, neat fit for many healed piercings
8mm More room and a slightly looser fit
10mm Longer fit / additional room
12mm+ Extra length where required

How Is a Flat Back Stud Measured?

Bar length is measured along the wearable post only, not including the decorative top or flat back.

How to measure the bar length and gauge of a flat back labret stud
Belly Bars

Typical Belly Jewellery Sizing

Jewellery Type Common Gauge Available Sizes*
Curved Belly Barbells 14G / 1.6mm 10mm, 11mm, 12mm
Hinged Belly Rings 14G / 1.6mm 11mm, 12mm

*Sizes are a guide for healed piercings only. Anatomy and piercing depth vary, so your ideal fit may differ. Where possible, measure jewellery that already fits comfortably or ask your piercer.

Gauge / Thickness

Gauge Thickness
14G 1.6mm

Curved Belly Barbells

Length General Fit
10mm Common belly bar length
11mm Slightly longer fit / a little more room
12mm Longer / roomier fit

Hinged Belly Rings

Ring Size General Fit
11mm Common hinged belly ring size
12mm Larger / roomier fit

How Is Belly Jewellery Measured?

Curved belly barbells: Length is measured along the wearable section of the curved bar between the top and bottom attachments. Decorative ends are not included in the measurement.

Hinged belly rings: Ring size is measured across the inside of the ring. This is the inside space of the ring, not the outside edges.

How to measure curved belly barbells and hinged belly rings
Nose Jewellery

Typical Nostril Jewellery Sizing

Jewellery Type Common Gauge Typical Size*
L-Bend Nose Stud 18G–20G 6–8mm post
Nose Screw 18G–20G 6–8mm wearable length
Nose Bone / Straight Stud 18G–20G 6–8mm post
Nostril Hoop 18G–20G 7–9mm diameter

*Typical sizes are a guide for healed nostril piercings only. Anatomy and piercing placement vary, so your ideal size may differ. Where possible, measure jewellery that already fits comfortably or ask your piercer.

Gauge / Thickness

Gauge Thickness General Description
20G 0.8mm Fine nostril jewellery
18G 1.0mm Slightly thicker nostril jewellery
16G 1.2mm Less common for standard nostril jewellery

Nose Stud Length

Length General Fit
5mm Short / suitable for thinner anatomy
6mm Common close fit for many healed nostrils
7mm More room
8mm Longer / roomier fit

Nostril Hoop Diameter

Diameter General Fit
6mm Very close fit / suitable placements only
7mm Snug fit
8mm Common everyday fit
9mm More room
10mm Larger / more visible hoop

How Is Nose Jewellery Measured?

Nose studs: Gauge refers to the thickness of the post. Post length refers to the wearable section of the jewellery.

Nostril hoops: Gauge refers to the thickness of the ring, while diameter is measured across the inside of the hoop.

How to measure nose studs and nostril hoops
Barbells

Eyebrow, Tongue, Nipple & Industrial Barbell Sizing

Piercing Common Gauge Typical Bar Length*
Eyebrow 16G 8–10mm
Tongue 14G 12–16mm
Nipple 14G 12–16mm
Industrial 14G 32–38mm

*Typical sizes are a guide for healed piercings only. Anatomy, piercing placement and piercing depth vary, so your ideal bar length may differ. Where possible, measure jewellery that already fits comfortably or ask your piercer.

Gauge / Thickness

Gauge Thickness
18G 1.0mm
16G 1.2mm
14G 1.6mm
12G 2.0mm

Standard Bar Length

Length Common Use / Fit
6mm Short / close-fitting barbell
8mm Common shorter curved barbell length
10mm Longer curved barbell / additional room
12mm Shorter straight barbell option
14mm Medium straight barbell length
16mm Common longer straight barbell length
18mm+ Longer fit where required
32–38mm Long industrial-style barbells

Nipple Barbell Sizing

Length General Fit
12mm Shorter / closer fit
14mm Medium nipple barbell length
16mm Longer / roomier nipple barbell length
Nipple jewellery fit Nipple anatomy and piercing placement vary considerably. Choose a bar that allows a comfortable fit without compressing the piercing.

How Is Barbell Length Measured?

Straight barbells: Measure the wearable bar between the two balls or attachments. Do not include the balls or decorative ends in the measurement.

Curved barbells: Measure the wearable section of the curved bar between the two attachments.

Nipple barbells: Measure the wearable straight bar between the two ends. For decorative nipple shields or specialised designs, check the product specifications because the wearable length can differ from the overall bar measurement.

How to measure straight, curved and nipple barbells
Understanding Measurements & Thread Types

Piercing Jewellery Sizing at a Glance

This visual guide explains how different jewellery types are measured, common piercing gauges and the difference between externally threaded, internally threaded and threadless jewellery.


Everyone's anatomy is different

The sizes shown are common sizing guides and aren't a guaranteed fit. Piercing placement, depth and anatomy can affect the size you need. Where possible, measure jewellery that already fits comfortably or ask a professional piercer.