Size Matters: Engagement Ring Sizing, Fit & Resizing Tips

Newly-engaged? About to get engaged? Average engagement ring size, fit, and resizing advice 

When it comes to engagement rings, size matters. But not the way you think – it isn't the size of the rock, but how it fits your fiancé’s finger, that counts most! 

 

If an engagement ring is too tight, it will be uncomfortable to wear and difficult to remove. If it’s too big, there’s a risk of losing it during daily wear. Both of these can end up costing you big in the long run. 

 

Luckily, most – but not all – engagement rings can be resized after your marriage proposal. 

 

Here are a few things to know to help you start planning a proposal you’ll never forget.

 

RELATED: What to do After Getting Engaged in 20 Simple Steps

 

|* mop-button *|

Average Engagement Ring Sizes, Fit Tips, & Resizing Advice

 

How should an engagement ring fit? 

 

Is it better for a ring to be snug or loose? Honestly, your engagement ring should feel like it was meant for you. It should be comfortable, easy to slip on and off, and never at risk of falling off. 

 

How should a ring fit? The experts at Simone & Son offer these ring fitting tips: 

 

• Fits snug at the base of your finger, without squeezing
• Requires a gentle twist or pull to slide over the knuckle
• Stays in place without frequent spinning or sliding
• Comfortable to wear daily, all day

 

RELATED: Darry Ring Doubt: Is a True Love Agreement Legally Binding?

 

(Photo: Paige Johnson  / Unsplash)
 

 

Average ring sizes & size charts: deciding what size ring to get for an engagement or proposal

 

When choosing a ring, remember that ring size charts are unisex / gender neutral. On average, women’s rings are between sizes 4 and 10, and the average men’s ring size is between 6 and 13, but everyone's fit is different. Keep in mind, too, that it’s always easier to have the ring sized down later than it is to size it up!

 

Your partner’s ring size will probably fall within the 3 to 16 size range, but not always. Stylish plus size engagement rings (size 16.25 to 28) are available through specialty jewelers, or choose something custom-made by your favorite local artisan.

 

 

Average Ring Size Chart

(Chart design: Alexey Bezrodny / iStock)

 

 

How to find your partner's finger size for an engagement ring (secretly!)

 

Here are two clever suggestions to find your partner’s ring size while keeping your proposal plans a surprise: 

 

• One: Measure your partner’s ring size while they’re sleeping. You can use a piece of string, a thin slip of paper, or soft measuring tape to get the size. Be sure not to pull your measuring tool too tight! 

 

• Two: Use a ring from their jewelry box to estimate their finger size. A ring worn on the middle finger is generally 0.5 sizes larger than a ring finger; a pointer finger ring is generally 1 size larger than the ring finger; and a pinky ring is generally 2 sizes smaller than the ring finger. Measure their ring quickly and put it back in the box. 

Keep in mind that finger size fluctuates during the day and throughout the month, so any measurement will be approximate. All kinds of things – temperature, time of day, swelling or water retention – can temporarily change your partner's finger size.

 

If you don’t know your partner’s ring size when purchasing their engagement ring, experts recommend that you buy a size up. As we mentioned earlier, it’s much easier to make a ring smaller later than it is to make one larger. 

 

RELATED: 5 Creative Engagement Ring Alternatives

 

Wondering how to find out girlfriend's ring size while keeping your proposal plans a surprise? The easiest way to find out your partner's ring size is to ask, or shop for your rings together... But if you want your engagement ideas to stay a surprise, try one of the suggestions above! Measure their ring finger while they're sleeping, or use another ring to estimate their size.

 

 

Can engagement rings be resized?

 

Yes, most engagement rings can be resized – so don’t panic if you purchase the wrong size ring for your proposal. In general, a ring can be sized up or sized down 2 sizes at most. As we mentioned earlier, it is easier to size a ring down than to size up, but both are possible. 

 

Except… some kinds of rings can't be altered. Keep reading below to see the kinds of rings that can’t be resized.

 

RELATED: Edit Yourself Into a Movie to Propose Marriage: How Real Couples Have Done It

 

 

What kind of rings cannot be resized?

 

Some engagement rings can’t be resized, either because of the materials they're made with or the type of stones and designs used. For example, according to the experts at Robinson’s Jewelers, these types of rings can’t be altered to fit: 

 

• Eternity bands: rings with stones encircling the band are difficult to impossible to resize without damaging the stones

 

• Hard metals: Stainless steel, titanium, and tungsten rings cannot be resized because the metal is too hard and durable to reshape 

 

• Channel settings and Intricate Designs: These types of rings are detailed and intricate, and nearly impossible to resize without damaging their designs or stones

 

• Wood, ceramic, quartz, etc: Engagement rings with alternatives to metal can’t be resized or reshaped

 

• Adding to the list, experts at Auree Jewellery also advise against resizing rose gold rings, because of potential cracking. 

 

RELATED: Silver, Gold, Black: The Symbolism of Wedding Ring Materials Explained

 

 

This one-of-a-kind custom-made engagement ring is absolutely gorgeous! However, because it's made of rose gold, with an eternity band wrapped with sparkling smaller stones, it would be difficult to impossible to resize. (Photo: Micah & Sammie Chaffin / Unsplash)

 

 

How much does it cost to get an engagement ring resized?

 

The cost to resize an engagement ring is between $50 to $300 – that’s a wide range and depends on various factors like what the band is made from, the number of gem stones and settings, whether you are sizing down or sizing up, and the turnaround time. In general, it will cost less to size down a ring than it will to size up. 

 

 

The Takeaway

 

As you can see, size does matter when it comes to engagement rings! Beyond carat size, it’s important to have a ring that feels and fits like it was meant for you. An engagement ring that’s comfortable, easy to put on, and that won’t slide off accidentally during daily wear. 

 

Most people’s fingers change size as they age, and meaningful rings – like your engagement ring or wedding ring – can usually be resized to continue fitting for many happy years. 

 

Congratulations and wishing you the best of luck on your engagement or upcoming marriage proposal! 

 

 

(Photo: Teraphim / iStock)

 

---

 

Wedding Officiants Aren't One-Size-Fits-All: Get the Perfect Fit by Having a Friend Officiate Your Wedding

 

Ask a friend to get ordained online free with American Marriage Ministries (AMM) to officiate your wedding! AMM is a nondenominational online church that ordains and trains people like you to perform weddings for friends and relatives. 
|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/ordination-application", "FREE MINISTER ORDINATION APPLICATION" *|
You don't have to belong to a specific faith, or subscribe to any specific beliefs to get ordained with AMM – except for the belief that love and marriage are for everyone! Our organization is founded on the belief that all people have the right to get married and officiate weddings, regardless of gender, religion, race, or sexual orientation. We proudly ordain people from all faiths and all walks of life.

Have the perfect friend or family member in mind to lead your wedding ceremony? Send them the link above to complete our free ordination application, or "propose" to them with the "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Box, linked below. 

The perfect wedding officiant is someone you already know, love, and respect  – all you have to do is ask! 

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/store/products/will-you-marry-us-gift-package", "'WILL YOU MARRY US?' GIFT BOX" *|

 

Ask a friend or family member to perform your wedding! Online ordination is free with American Marriage Ministries, just click the link above to fill out the short application. Or, propose to your wedding officiant with a thoughtful gift. The AMM "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Box includes everything your wedding officiant needs to perform a memorable, personalized, legal wedding ceremony. 
 

---