How do I measure my ring size with a measuring tape?

Short answer

Wrap a flexible measuring tape around the base of your finger, snug but not tight, and note where the tape meets. That length in millimetres is your finger circumference, which you can convert to a UK ring size using a chart.

Using a flexible measuring tape is straightforward. Take a soft tape measure, like the ones used for sewing, and wrap it around the base of the finger where the ring will sit. It should be snug enough to touch the skin all the way around, but not so tight that it digs in. Read the measurement where the tape overlaps, in millimetres.

That number is the circumference of your finger. Most UK ring size charts list sizes by circumference, so you can match your measurement directly. For example, a circumference of around 50 millimetres often corresponds to a smaller size, while 60 millimetres is larger, but always check the specific chart you are using.

If you do not have a measuring tape, you can use a strip of paper or a piece of string, mark the overlap, and then lay it flat against a ruler. The same principle applies. Make sure you measure the correct finger, as your left and right hands can differ, and your ring finger size may differ from your middle or index finger. If you are between sizes, go up rather than down, because a loose ring can be resized more easily than a tight one.