How Should An Engagement Ring Fit? Expert Tips for Choosing the Right Ring Size

You’ve found the perfect partner and now you’re ready for the perfect engagement ring—which means finding the perfect fit.

What is the perfect fit? Well, the goal is to have an engagement ring that is comfortable for the majority of the time that you are wearing it, but still encompasses the style you love.

The tricky thing is, our fingers fluctuate in size over time. It’s common for a ring to fit snug over summer and then spin or move on your finger come fall and winter. Cooler temps cause our fingers to shrink while heat and humidity invite swelling. The weather isn’t the only factor that affects engagement ring fit. Salty foods and water create inflammation while life events like weight loss and pregnancy change ring size as well.

Your engagement ring is going to be the topic of conversation for years to come. Yet with so many variables in the mix, how do you know which size is right for you? Read on for our expert advice on finding the best engagement ring fit and size.

Learn How To Measure Your Ring Size

There are multiple ways to measure your ring size, but only a couple that are most popular: with a mandrel, a tool used to size rings, or with a ribbon and measuring tape. The tool you use depends entirely on your situation. Here’s a glimpse of both methods for finding your ring size:

    • Mandrel Method: A Mandrel is a tool that’s shaped like a cone and gradually increases in size. Bring one of your rings into a jeweler and have it measured, or you can try on rings to find the right size. Once you find a comfortable fit, measure the ring with the mandrel to verify your size. This method works best if an engagement isn’t a secret, or if your fiancée has a ring she wears on her ring finger that you can temporarily sneak off to the jeweler with.
  • Ribbon Method: This DIY method for ring sizing is for surprise proposals or at-home sizing. If you’re preparing a surprise proposal, take a ribbon or string and wrap it around the ring finger or inside of your fiancée’s best-fitting ring. Mark the point where one side of the ribbon meets the other side. Then lay the ribbon next to a ruler or measuring tape. When in doubt, re-measure for consistency. Once you have your measurement, use a free online conversion chart to find the right ring size.

How Do You Know If An Engagement Ring Fits?

You have your ring size and are ready to flaunt your engagement ring. But how do you know if your engagement ring is too big or too small? If you’re unsure, consider the following questions:

Do you feel pressure on your finger?
Does your ring spin or move on your finger?
Does your ring leave an indent on your finger?

If you’re experiencing any of the above, there’s a likelihood your engagement ring isn’t fitting quite right. Before you head in for resizing, consider that some issues might only be temporary.

Here are some things to consider before getting your ring resized:


How do I stop my ring from spinning and turning?
Is your ring spinning around your finger and driving you crazy? It could be because of a misproportion of weight between the center stone and the band. It could also mean that your ring is too big.

How do you know if your engagement ring is too big?
The surest sign of an oversized ring is one that constantly spins and moves on the finger. A temporary solution is to use a ring guard to tighten your ring. This small plastic tube slides along the inside of your ring to tighten the fit. Try wearing your engagement ring with a ring guard before resizing and if the tighter fit is more comfortable, resizing might be the best option.

Should a ring leave an indent?
An ideal ring fit is one that slides over your knuckles with ease. However, not all fingers are created equal. One person might struggle to fit a ring over the knuckle only to find it spinning around all the time. Another person might easily fit it over the knuckle but find it’s leaving an indent. This is one of the easiest ways to tell if a ring is too small.

If you’re not sure if your ring is too big or too small, you may be in-between ring sizes.

Is it better to size a ring up or down?
Most of us don’t fit into a perfectly-sized package because we’re all unique. Should you size your engagement ring up or down? This decision will align with whether your ring is moving around a lot or feeling too tight on your finger. Truth is, you can always size down but it’s harder to size a ring up.

The most important thing to do is to wear your ring for a little while and take note of how it feels. Do you find yourself moving it to your pinky finger? If so, you’ll want to size up which means jewelers will add material to your ring to make it bigger.

Do you find yourself constantly rotating your ring to face up? Then it’s best to size down, in which case the jeweler will remove material from your ring. Keep in mind, while most engagement rings are able to be resized, not all wedding bands are. This is especially true for eternity bands as they feature stones accenting the entire shank, which makes resizing much more difficult. Before you complete your purchase, check with your jeweler on their resizing policy.

How Different Finger Types Affect Fit

Finding the right ring fit is a complex process because we each have different finger types. As such, different design elements can affect the way an engagement ring will look on your finger.

Do you have long, slender fingers? Then a wide band with a large, angular centerstone, such as an emerald cut engagement ring, will balance the length and fit more comfortably on your fingers.

Do you have short fingers? Add length with a narrow band and elongated stone shape to create balance on your finger. An oval or pear lab grown diamond will elongate your fingers and add a touch of modern flair.

Do you have large knuckles? You need a size big enough to fit over your knuckles without sliding around on your fingers. In this case, an engagement ring with accent stones may be a great choice as it will add a little more weight and allow the ring to feel more balanced and secure on your finger.

Do your fingers gradually get narrower? Then even a snug fit is susceptible to sliding off because your finger graduates in size. In other words, it’s thickest near your palm and gets thinner toward your fingernail. In this case, you’ll want to choose a size that’s more snug than loose to avoid losing your ring. More brides than ever are opting for not just one wedding band, but multiple. That’s why ring stacks and thick bands are a great addition to complete your wedding set with this finger type.

There’s a lot to think about when it comes to ring fit and size. Like finding your soulmate, you may have to try a few wrong sizes before getting to the right one. The good news is that once you find the right fit, you’re ready to let your ring sparkle in the spotlight!

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