Piercing Gauge Chart

Measuring Body Jewelry

How Do I Know What Size My Body Piercing Is?

Everyone's body is different, and sometimes piercers will use different lengths and gauges depending on your body or the type of body jewelry you want to wear. We've provided a list of industry standard sizes for body jewelry used for each piercing. However, we cannot guarantee that the size on our chart is the size used for your specific piercing. What you will find below are the standard gauges and lengths or diameters used by professional piercers. If you are unsure of what size piercing jewelry to get, we recommend calling or visiting your piercer to ask them.

Standard Piercing Sizes

Piercing Standard Gauge Standard Length
Belly / Navel Ring 14G 3/8" , 7/16"
Nose Piercing 20G , 18G 1/4" , 5/16"
Tongue Piercing 14G 5/8"
Cartilage Piercing (Helix) 16G , 18G 3/16" , 1/4" and 5/16"
Eyebrow Piercing 16G (14G is also commonly used) 1/4" , 5/16" and 3/8"
Industrial Barbell 14G (16G is also commonly used) 1 1/2" (varies)
Labret Lip Rings 14G or 16G 1/4" , 5/16", and 3/8"
Monroe Piercing 16G 1/4" , 5/16" and 3/8"
Nipple Piercing 14G 3/8" , 1/2", 9/16"
Tragus / Helix / Rook / Conch / Daith 16G , 18G 3/16", 1/4" , 5/16" and 3/8"
Septum 14G (16G is also commonly used) 3/8", 7/16", 1/2", and 5/8"
Ear Lobe Piercings 20G or 22G

Gauge

What Gauge Is My Piercing Jewelry?

The "gauge" of your piercing is the thickness of the bar that goes through your piercing. In other words, it's the barbell's thickness. Note that the thicker the barbell, the lower the gauge size. So a 12 gauge (or 12G) barbell is much thicker than a 20 gauge (20G) barbell.
gauge size chart

Piercing Jewelry Length

What Is The Length Of My Body Jewelry?

The length of your piercing jewelry refers to the wearable length of the barbell that goes through your piercing. It is measured from the top to the bottom of the straight barbell and does not include the balls or charms.
length measurements

Piercing Jewelry Diameter

What Is The Diameter Of My Body Jewelry?

Diameter is used to measure the size of round barbells like hoops, captives, and circulars. It is measured from the inner and widest point of the circle.
Piercing Jewelry Diameter

Captive Bead Rings

Bestselling Hoops & Captive Bead Rings
Captive Bead Rings, seam or seamless rings and clicker rings are all measured from the largest inside diameter.
Captive Bead Rings are also known as CBRs, BCRs, and Ball Captive Rings. They come in many variations, shapes, and sizes, but the same measuring rule applies. Always measure the largest inside diameter of the circle.
We carry captives and rings in a variety of gauges and lengths to suit any piercing. If you cannot find a specific size you need, please contact us.

Shop High Quality Captives & Hoops

Straight Barbells

Measure the length of a barbell between the two balls along the length of the bar, as shown in the diagram.
We carry barbells in an assortment of gauges and lengths so that you can find the perfect fit for you specific piercing.
Bestselling Straight Barbells

Shop High Quality Straight Barbells

Circular Barbells / Horseshoe Barbells

Circular/horseshoe barbells are commonly used as belly rings, septum rings, nipple piercing rings, eyebrow rings, earrings, ear plugs, and for genital piercings. Circular barbells are measured from the largest inside diameter.
Circular Barbells
All piercings are different, which is why we have a great selection of 14k gold circular barbells in every gauge and length.

Bestselling Circular Barbells

Curved Barbells & Belly Button Rings

Curved barbells, also know as bent barbells, are commonly used for belly button rings, nipple rings, eyebrow jewelry, rook piercings, and even septum piercings. Curved barbells are measured in a straight line from the inner length between the two balls.
Suitable piercings:
Curved Barbells

Best Selling Flat Back Studs

Nose Rings

Nose Rings
The standard gauge for nose rings is 18G. Nose twists, also known as nose screws or nose studs, are measured from the base of the ball or charm to the beginning of the twist, as shown in the diagram. Measure nose bones to the end of the shaft before the beaded tip. Nose fishtails are measured from the base of the ball or charm to the end of the barbell. For more help picking the right nose ring for you, check out our Nose Piercing & Jewelry Guide.
We carry nose rings in 18G - 20G. From diamond nose rings to sapphire studs, we have tons of beautiful styles to choose from in gold and platinum.

Bestselling Nose Rings

Labrets, Lip Rings, Cartilage & Tragus Earrings

Labrets Lip Rings
Flat-Back Earrings, also know as Labrets, are worn in a variety of ear piercings such as lobe, helix, tragus earrings and cartilage studs; as well as in lip piercings and around the cheeks and mouth. The flat back is perfect for piercings that require a close fit. They are measured from the base of the ball to the top of the flat disc. Standard lengths for labrets are 1/4" or 5/16". The 3/16" is generally used for cartilage piercings rather than lip piercings for a nice, snug fit.
We carry labrets in many different sizes and styles.

Bestselling Flat-Backs Studs

Plugs, Tunnels, And Earlets Body Jewelry

Plugs & Tunnels Body Jewelry
An ear plug wearable length is measured from the inside edge of the horizontal line, as shown in the diagram. The same measurement applies of earlets and ear tunnel body jewelry.
Plugs are manufactured in many different gauges, designs, and variations.

Best Selling Plugs & Tunnels

Inches & MM Conversion Charts

Please find a conversion charts below for those of you using the metric system.

Gauge to Millimeters Conversion

Gauge Inches Millimeters
22G 0.025 0.64mm
20G .032" 0.81mm
18G .040" 1.0mm
16G .050" 1.2mm
14G .064" 1.6mm
12G .082" 2.0mm
10G .102" 2.5mm
8G .125" 3.0mm
6G .162" 4.0mm
4G .204" 5.0mm
2G .250" 6.0mm
0G .312" 8.0mm
00G .375" 10.0mm

Length & Diameter Conversion

Inches Millimeters
3/16" 4.7
1/4" 6.4
5/16" 8
3/8" 9.5
7/16" 11
1/2" 13
9/16" 14
5/8" 16
3/4" 19
7/8" 22
15/16" 24
1" 25
1 1/2" 38

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