How body jewelry is measured

In our drop-down menus for adding to cart, we show the gauge of the item you are ordering, then the length/diameter, then the ball size if it has any:

14g - 3/4 inch (5mm balls) 6g - 1/2 inch (8mm balls)

Jewelry is measured through a gauge system (conversion chart below). The higher the gauge number the smaller the wire is. For reference, a standard "earring" is usually 20 gauge. Jewelry gauges can vary between manufacturers. There is no universal regulation on companies to make a standard size in body jewelry. This is because some jewelry is made outside of the USA and measured in millimeters. And in the USA jewelry is measured in inches.

GAUGE CONVERSION CHART:

HOW BODY JEWELRY IS MEASURED

Rings

Rings are an essential item that can be worn in many piercings. They come in various styles:

• Captive bead rings - These use tension to hold a bead in place.
• Clickers - These use a hinge to open and close the ring.
• Segment rings - These have a "segment" that comes completely out of the jewelry similar to removing a bead. But it looks like a completely seamless piece of jewelry.
• Seamless rings - These rings require bending to open & close.

How to measure rings

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the ring itself.
• Diameter/Length - Measure directly across the inside center of the ring.

Straight Barbells

Straight barbells are commonly worn in various ear projects, nipples, and tongue piercings.

How to measure straight barbells

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the post/bar itself.
• Length - Measure directly across the post between the ends.

Double Flare Plugs / Eyelets / Gauges

Commonly worn in earlobes, but can be worn in other stretched piercings.

How to measure double flare plugs

• Gauge - Measure the size of the plug across the middle.
• Wearable area - Measure straight across the side of the plug between where the flares start.
• Flare size / rise - Measure the distance from the side of the plug to where the flare ends.

Single Flare Plugs / Eyelets / Gauges

Commonly worn in earlobes, but can be worn in other stretched piercings.

How to measure single flare plugs

• Gauge - Measure the size of the plug across the middle.
• Wearable area - Measure straight across the side of the plug between where one flare starts and where the o-ring starts.
• Flare size / rise - Measure the distance from the side of the plug to where the flare ends. (see image of double flare plugs)

No Flare Plugs / Eyelets / Gauges

Commonly worn in earlobes, but can be worn in other stretched piercings.

How to measure no flare plugs

• Gauge - Measure the size of the plug across the middle.
• Wearable area - Measure straight across the side of the plug between the o-rings.

Teardrop Shaped Plugs

Worn in earlobes

How to measure teardrop shaped jewelry

• Gauge - Add the height + width and then divide by 2. Then use the conversion chart to get the closest gauge.
• Wearable area - Measure directly across the plug between where the flares begin.
• Flare size / rise - Measure from between the flares to the edge of where the flares end.

Curved Barbells

Curved barbells are commonly worn in various ear projects & eyebrows.

How to measure curved barbells

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the post/bar itself.
• Length - Measure directly across the post between the ends.

Circular Barbells

Circular barbells are commonly worn in various ear projects, septums, nipples, and lips.

How to measure circular barbells

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the post itself.
• Diameter/Length - Measure directly across the inside center of the circular.

Labrets

Labrets are commonly worn in piercings around the mouth. They can also be worn in various ear piercings and nose piercings. They are a very versatile jewelry.

How to measure labrets

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the post/bar itself.
• Length - Measure directly across the post between the flat disk back and the end / ball.

Nosescrews

Nosescrews are worn in nostril piercings.

How to measure nosescrews

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the post itself.
• Length / Wearable area - Measure directly across the post right below where the main end starts and before the bend begins.

Nosebones

Nosebones are worn in nostril piercings.

How to measure nosebones

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the post itself.
• Length / Wearable area - Measure directly across the post right below where the main end starts and before the bend small ball on the other side begins.

Nose hoops

Nose hoops are commonly worn in nostril piercings, but you can also wear them in various ear piercings.

How to measure nose hoops

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the ring itself.
• Diameter - Measure directly across the center of the hoop at its widest point. Always measure the inside of the ring (do not include the ring itself).

Belly Jewelry

These are curved barbells designed to be worn in navel piercings. Usually there is a smaller top ball, with a bottom design that is more ornate, has a larger ball, or has hanging charms.

How to measure belly curved barbells

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the post / bar itself.
• Length - Measure directly across the post between the ends.

Pinchers

Pinchers are commonly worn in septum or lobe piercings.

How to measure pinchers

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the pincher itself. The gauge is measured at the top widest point of the pincher.
• Diameter - Measure directly across the center of the pincher at its widest point. Always measure the inside of the pincher (do not include the pincher itself).

Stretching Tapers

Tapers are tools used to stretch piercings from one gauge to the next gauge.

How to measure a stretching taper

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the taper itself at the top widest spot.

Septum Tusks & Spikes

How to measure septum tusks / spikes

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the tusk / spike itself. This is measured at the center widest point of the jewelry.
• Length - Measure directly across the length of the jewelry from end to end.

Twisted Barbells

Twisted barbells are most commonly worn in various ear piercings.

How to measure twisted barbells

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the barbell post itself at any point along the barbell.
• Diameter - Measure directly across the center of the twist at its widest point. Always measure the inside of the twist shape (do not include the barbell post itself).

Weights

Weights are most commonly worn in lobe piercings and are usually for stretched lobes only. Weights come in a huge array of designs, shapes, and sizes.

How to measure weights

• Gauge - This is the thickness of the wearable portion of the weight. Normally this is at the top widest portion of the weight that will be in the piercing.

JEWELRY THREADING TYPES

Externally threaded

Internally threaded

Threadless

SIZE COMPARISON GUIDES

Ring size comparisons

Ball size comparisons

Barbell size comparisons

Labret size comparisons

Circular size comparisons

Plug size comparisons

Nosescrew size comparisons

Plug Size Comparison

Different Clicker Diameter Lengths

Different Labret Stud Lengths

Spike Piercing Jewelry Lengths

Threadless Jewelry Gem Size Guide

Enlarged example of 1" on ruler