How to measure Body Jewellery
It is much easier to measure your body jewellery than your piecing! To find the correct size take a piece of jewellery that fits your piecing and measure as shown below. Remember all measurements should be taken with a ruler in a straight line, never measure along the curve and never include the balls or thread.
The above example photos show how to measure both a Banana Bar and a Ball Closure Ring (BCR). An alternative method is to directly measure your piercing between both holes using a ruler, although this can sometimes be difficult on your own.
Body Jewellery Sizes
In Europe thickness is shown in mm but in other parts of the world people use gauge. The following table should help you understand the difference.
Thickness Conversion
- 1mm = 18 gauge
- 1.2mm = 16 gauge
- 1.6mm = 14 gauge
- 2mm = 12 gauge
- 2.4mm = 10 gauge
- 3.2mm = 8 gauge
- 4mm = 6 gauge
- 5mm = 4 gauge
- 6mm = 2 gauge
- 8mm = 0 gauge
Length/Diameter Conversion
- 6mm = 1/4"
- 8mm = 5/16"
- 10mm = 3/8"
- 11mm = 7/16"
- 12mm = 1/2"
- 14mm = 9/16"
- 16mm = 5/8"
- 18mm = 11/16"
- 19mm = 3/4"
- 21mm 13/16"
Other Useful Piercing Information Pages
General Piercing advice and information
How to insert and remove your jewellery