How to Measure Your Wrist for a Bracelet or Watch

Bracelet and watch sizes start from one number: the circumference of your wrist where the bracelet will sit. Measure that, then add a little for the fit you like. It takes less than a minute.

Measure your wrist

With a soft tape measure:

1. Wrap the tape around your wrist where you wear a watch, next to the wrist bone on the hand side.
2. Pull it snug against the skin but not tight. It shouldn’t dent the skin.
3. Read the number where the tape meets its zero end. That’s your wrist size.

With a paper strip or string (no tape measure):

1. Cut a strip of paper about ½ inch (1 cm) wide, or use a piece of non-stretchy string.
2. Wrap it around your wrist in the same place and mark where the end overlaps.
3. Lay it flat and measure from the end to the mark with a ruler. A printable ruler works, or hold it against your screen with the inch ruler after calibrating.

Measure twice. Paper and string can slip or stretch, and a 1/4-inch difference changes the bracelet size you’d pick.

How much to add for the fit you want

A bracelet needs to be longer than your wrist, or it won’t close comfortably. A common rule of thumb among jewelers:

• Snug fit: add ½ inch (1.3 cm). The bracelet stays in place but still moves a little.
• Comfort fit: add ¾ to 1 inch (2–2.5 cm). It moves freely without sliding over your hand. This is what most people choose.
• Loose fit: add 1 to 1¼ inches (2.5–3 cm). The bracelet hangs down toward your hand.

Thicker chains and beaded bracelets take up more room inside the loop, so add about another ¼ inch for chunky styles.

Wrist to bracelet size chart

Wrist size	Snug	Comfort	Loose
5½ in (14.0 cm)	6 in	6¼–6½ in	6½–6¾ in
6 in (15.2 cm)	6½ in	6¾–7 in	7–7¼ in
6½ in (16.5 cm)	7 in	7¼–7½ in	7½–7¾ in
7 in (17.8 cm)	7½ in	7¾–8 in	8–8¼ in
7½ in (19.1 cm)	8 in	8¼–8½ in	8½–8¾ in
8 in (20.3 cm)	8½ in	8¾–9 in	9–9¼ in

Bracelets are usually sold in whole or half inches. Pick the nearest size, or one with an extension chain if you’re between two.

Bangles and cuffs

A bangle is a solid ring with no clasp, so it has to fit over the widest part of your hand. Bring your thumb in toward your little finger, as you would when slipping one on, and measure around your knuckles at the widest point. That’s the smallest inner circumference that will go on. Bangles are often sized by inner diameter instead; divide your hand measurement by 3.14 to compare. For example, 8 inches ÷ 3.14 = about 2.55 inches (6.5 cm).

A cuff is open at the back, so measure your wrist as above; a cuff’s size is usually its inner length plus the gap.

Watch straps

Watch straps are sold to fit a range of wrist sizes, such as 6–8 inches (150–200 mm). Check that your wrist size falls inside the range, ideally toward the middle so you have holes to spare. For a metal bracelet, links can be removed to shorten it, so buy one that’s the same length as your wrist or longer.

Ring size, too?

If you’re buying rings as well, the ring size finder measures a ring you already own on your screen, and the printable ring sizer gives you a paper strip and size circles.