Ring size chart and how to find your ring size
Our ring size chart for Canada pairs with three ways to measure: a ring you own, a strip of paper, or a jeweller. We also cover the mistakes that throw a reading off.
Three reliable ways to find your ring size with a ring size chart
You can find your ring size by measuring a ring that already fits, by wrapping a strip of paper or string around the base of your finger, or by having a jeweller check you with sizing rings. Then match the result to a ring size chart. The jeweller method is the most accurate. The other two are good enough to start, if you repeat them on different days.
Knowing how to find your ring size is mostly about repeating a measurement until it agrees with itself. Every method ends in the same place: a number on a ring size chart. The chart is only as good as the measurement behind it.
Pick one method, do it twice, and compare the results. If the numbers agree, you are close, and the moment she says yes will not be spoiled by a ring that spins. If they differ, trust the larger reading, or visit us at 7800 Woodbine Ave to be measured with sizing rings.
How to measure ring size at home with string or paper
To measure ring size at home, cut a strip of paper or a length of thin string, wrap it snugly around the base of the finger, and mark where the ends meet. Lay it flat against a ruler and read the length in millimetres. Match that number to the circumference column of a size chart.
Here is how to measure ring size at home with almost no tools. This works best with a strip of paper no wider than a centimetre, or a thin string that does not stretch. Floss and thread stretch, so avoid them. A flexible tailor's tape also works well.
Follow the steps in order, and do not pull tight. The ring should feel snug, not strangling. Take your time, since this number will decide how the ring feels every day.
If the reading lands between two sizes, round up. Brilliant Earth gives the same advice in its sizing guide.
- Cut a strip of paper about 1 cm wide and 15 cm long, or take thin string.
- Wrap it around the base of the finger that will wear the ring.
- Mark the point where the end meets the strip, using a pen.
- Lay the strip flat and measure to the mark in millimetres.
- Find that number in the circumference column of the chart below.
- Repeat on another day and compare.
Ring size chart Canada: US and Canadian sizes
Canada uses the same numbered scale as the United States, so a Canadian size 7 matches a US size 7. Each full size adds about 2.5 mm to the inside circumference. Measure the circumference of your finger, or of a ring that fits, and read across to the size. Half and quarter sizes sit between the whole numbers.
Retailers in Canada generally list US numbers, and this ring size chart follows that scale. Some European and British charts use letters or different numbers, so check which scale a website uses before you order. Our Canadian ring size chart below uses the US scale.
A ring size chart Canada shoppers can trust always states what it measures. Inside circumference is the length around the inside of the band. Always compare like with like, and never match your finger's outside against the inside of a ring.
| Size (US / Canada) | Inside circumference (mm) | Inside circumference (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 49.3 | 1.94 |
| 5.5 | 50.6 | 1.99 |
| 6 | 51.9 | 2.04 |
| 6.5 | 53.1 | 2.09 |
| 7 | 54.4 | 2.14 |
| 7.5 | 55.7 | 2.19 |
| 8 | 57.0 | 2.24 |
| 8.5 | 58.3 | 2.29 |
| 9 | 59.5 | 2.34 |
Using a ring you already own
If you own a ring that fits the right finger well, measure its inside diameter or inside circumference and compare it with the chart. Measure the inside of the band, never the outside. A size 7 ring is about 17.3 mm across the inside. This method is quick, but it only works when the old ring fits well.
Place the ring on a flat surface and measure straight across the inside edge to edge with a ruler. Check the reading in millimetres. For a rough diameter match, multiply by pi to get the circumference.
Be careful with a ring that is a little loose or tight. It will give you its own size, not yours. Use a ring that stays put without spinning and slides over the knuckle with a little resistance.
Wide bands fit tighter than thin ones, so use a ring of similar width to the one you plan to buy.
When and how to measure so the number is right
Measure in the late afternoon, at room temperature, when your hands are neither cold nor swollen. Fingers shrink in the cold and swell in the heat, after exercise, or after salty food. Take two or three readings over several days and keep the largest. A single reading right after a run or a cold walk is unreliable.
Skin is not rigid. Temperature, time of day and even a long flight can change the reading by a half size.
The knuckle matters. A ring has to go over the knuckle and then sit at the base of the finger. If your knuckle is much larger than the base, you may need a size that slides on and a way to keep it from spinning.
Measure the same finger and hand that will wear the ring. Left and right hands often differ.
- Avoid measuring when cold, hot or just after exercise
- Measure the base of the finger and the knuckle
- Take readings on at least two different days
- Round up if you land between sizes
Wide bands, big knuckles and half sizes
A wide band covers more of the finger and usually feels tighter than a thin one, so many jewellers suggest going up a quarter or half size for bands wider than a few millimetres. Ask for a comfort fit. Big knuckles are the other trap: pick the size that clears the knuckle, then ask about sizing beads.
The rule of thumb is simple. A thin solitaire band is forgiving. A wide wedding band is not. If you are choosing wedding bands with a matching engagement ring, try both at once if you can.
Half and quarter sizes exist for a reason. Many people sit between whole sizes, and a ring that is slightly too loose can slip off in cold weather. A ring that is slightly too tight is hard to remove in summer.
Ring guards and sizing beads are small additions that adjust the fit a little. Ask us whether they would suit your ring before you consider a full resize. No question is too small.
Engagement ring size guide for surprise proposals
For a surprise proposal, borrow a ring she or he already wears on the same finger and measure its inside, or press it into a bar of soap or a piece of card to record the circle. Ask a friend or family member who knows. A slightly larger ring is safer than a tight one, because we can resize most rings later.
Use this engagement ring size guide if you want to keep the secret until the moment you ask. Photograph the inside of a ring worn on the ring finger of the left or right hand, with a ruler beside it. Do not use a ring from a different finger, since fingers differ.
It is usually easier to make a ring smaller than larger, but not every design can be resized. Eternity bands and rings set with stones all around the band are the hard ones.
We resize rings, though not every design can be altered, so check with us before you buy. Our ring resizing page explains what to expect, and our engagement rings page explains how a custom ring is planned.
Ring sizing in Toronto and the GTA: what to expect
If you are looking for ring sizing in Toronto or the wider GTA, a jeweller can check your finger against a set of sizing rings and talk through wide bands, knuckles and resizing. Our shop is at 7800 Woodbine Ave in Markham. Call (905) 475-1702 and we will help you find your size before you order a ring.
This ring sizing Toronto guide boils down to one idea: a person with the right sizers beats a paper strip. Sizing rings let you feel the fit over the knuckle and at the base.
If a ring you own does not fit, we resize rings. What can be done depends on the design, so bring the piece and we will tell you. Our ring resizing page has the details, and jewellery repair covers other work on rings, necklaces and bracelets.
If you are designing a ring from scratch, our engagement ring creator lets you pick a style and send a design brief, and we talk size when we speak. Come and try on sizers whenever it suits you.
Mistakes that throw a ring size off
The usual mistakes are measuring a cold or swollen finger, pulling the string too tight, using stretchy thread, measuring the outside of a ring, and ignoring band width. Avoid them and your readings will agree with each other. If two readings differ by more than half a size, measure again on another day.
Stretchy thread gives a reading too large once it relaxes. Paper that overlaps adds the thickness of the paper to the reading. Measure from the end of the strip, not across the overlap.
A ring that fits your pinky will not fit your ring finger. Fingers on the same hand differ by a size or more.
If you plan to buy a ring online elsewhere, check the shop's own chart. Scales can differ slightly, and some brands run small or large.
Questions, answered
How do I use a ring size chart to find my size?
Wrap a strip of paper or thin string around the base of the finger, mark where it meets, and measure the length in millimetres. Find that number in the circumference column of the ring size chart. Measure late in the day at room temperature, repeat on a second day, and round up if you land between sizes.
What is the ring size chart in Canada?
Canada uses the US ring size scale. A size 7 has an inside circumference of about 54.4 mm, and each full size adds about 2.5 mm. Use the table in this guide to match your measurement to a size, and check any online shop's chart, since some brands use other scales.
Is a ring that is slightly loose better than one that is tight?
A ring should feel snug, slide over the knuckle with a little resistance and not spin freely. Slightly loose is safer than tight, because fingers swell in heat. A ring that is much too loose can slip off, so aim for a close fit and consider a quarter or half size for wide bands.
Do I need a different size for a wide wedding band?
Often yes. A wide band covers more of the finger and feels tighter than a thin one. Many jewellers suggest going up a quarter or half size for wide bands. Try a band of similar width, and ask for a comfort fit, which is slightly rounded on the inside.
How can I find an engagement ring size without telling her or him?
Borrow a ring worn on the right finger and measure its inside, or trace it on card. Ask a friend or relative for help. If you are unsure, choose slightly larger, because we can resize most rings later. Some designs, such as full eternity bands, cannot be altered easily.
Can a jeweller in Toronto or Markham check my ring size?
Yes, we can check your finger against sizing rings, which is more accurate than a string. Visit 7800 Woodbine Ave in Markham or call (905) 475-1702. We also resize rings, so bring a ring that no longer fits and we will tell you what can be done for that design.
Book a private consultation
Planning ring size chart and how to find your ring size? A short note is enough to begin. Use the form, call (905) 475-1702, or visit us on Woodbine Avenue in Markham.
7800 Woodbine Ave, Markham, ON L3R 2N7
(905) 475-1702