You probably consider factors like color, weight, and material when shopping for new body jewelry, but do you know which gauge sizes work best for you?
Gauge size refers to the thickness of a piece of body jewelry. Choosing the right gauge size ensures that your jewelry will fit comfortably into a body piercing. In this guide, we will highlight some gauge sizing basics, assist you in choosing a gauge size, and provide background on standard gauge sizes for popular body jewelry types. Be sure to read over our in-depth gauge sizing chart and review the FAQ section at the end of the article for additional info!
Gauge Sizing Info
With gauge sizes, a higher number indicates a smaller size. For example, the shaft of an 18-gauge piece of body jewelry is much thinner than that of a 4-gauge piece. Gauge sizes typically range from 20 to 00. When the gauge size of a piece of jewelry extends beyond 00, its measurement is expressed in millimeters or inches. The most common gauge size for body piercings, in general, is between 20 and 14.
Choosing a Gauge Size
Gauge size is a matter of preference to an extent. If your goal is to achieve a barely-there look with dainty earrings, you might choose a pair of 20, 18, or 16-gauge “standard-sized” studs. Most of the hoops, studs, and dangle earrings at your favorite place to buy jewelry (Spencer’s…duh) fall within the 20 to 16-gauge range.
Alternatively, if your goal is to stretch your earlobes, you will likely start with a 14-gauge piercing and work to gradually increase the size of your jewelry. For more information on ear stretching, continue reading below and check out How to Stretch Your Ears.
The gauge size chart below provides a visual breakdown of gauge sizes and their measurements.
Gauge Size Conversion Chart
Ear Stretching
Ear stretching is the process of gradually stretching your ears to a larger gauge size. Safe ear stretching is slow and calculated. To avoid irreversible damage, it’s recommended that you increase by one gauge size at a time. For example, you may start with 14-gauge jewelry and upgrade to 12-gauge jewelry.
Stretching your ears to fit plug and tunnel jewelry is typically done using the taper method. A taper is a cylinder-shaped tool used to prepare a piercing to accommodate jewelry. The broadest side of a taper determines its gauge size. The smaller end of a taper is inserted into a piercing and slowly pushed through until the broad end fills the hole. At this point, jewelry, such as a plug, can be guided into the piercing. Tapers are often sold in packs called “ear taper kits” or “ear stretching kits.” These kits include multiple taper sizes, typically ranging from 14-gauge to 00-gauge.
Patience is paramount in ear stretching, as excess pressure can cause permanent scarring. Before you begin the process, it’s important to allow your initial piercing to heal completely and consult your professional piercer to develop a game plan for your specific ear stretching goal.
As we mentioned, be sure to check out How to Stretch Your Ears for more information!
Gauge Sizes for Popular Jewelry Types
Every piece of body jewelry has a gauge size! Whether you’re sporting a belly button ring, double flare plugs, or a pair of bright yellow statement hoop earrings, your jewelry has an identifiable gauge size.
While a 16-gauge and an 18-gauge barbell may look identical next to each other, it’s always important to wear the correct size jewelry in your piercing. A few warning signs that you may be wearing the wrong gauge size are pain, redness, and inflammation.
Below is a list of standard gauge sizes for popular body jewelry types. To be clear, if you’re not sure which gauge size you should buy, you must ask a professional piercer. Knowing this number or numbers is essential when shopping for jewelry.
-
Earlobe Jewelry: The standard gauge sizes for studs, hoops, and dangles are typically 20-gauge or 18-gauge, with some occasionally opting for the larger 16-gauge option.
-
Stretch Earlobe Jewelry: The ear stretching journey typically starts with a 14-gauge piercing, but plugs, tunnels, and spirals have several gauge options, ranging up to 00-gauge.
-
Cartilage Jewelry: Cartilage barbells and other cartilage jewelry most commonly range from 16-gauge to 18-gauge, but some piercing types, like industrial piercings, have a 14-gauge standard.
-
Nostril Jewelry: The most common types of nostril jewelry, including nose pins, hoops, L-bends, and more, are typically either 20-gauge or 18-gauge.
-
Septum Jewelry: The standard gauge size for septum jewelry is usually 16-gauge, but some opt to eventually size up to 14-gauge or down to 18-gauge after their initial piercing heals.
-
Belly Jewelry: Belly rings and dangle belly rings usually come in 14-gauge.
-
Nipple Jewelry: Nipple barbells and other types of nipple jewelry are most commonly 14-gauge, but depending on the anatomy of your nipple, you may opt for 16-gauge or 12-gauge.
-
Lip (Labret) Jewelry: Usually, labret jewelry comes in a 16-gauge size. 14-gauge is also available.
-
Tongue Jewelry: Tongue barbells are typically 14-gauge.
-
Eyebrow Jewelry: 16-gauge is the standard size for curved barbell eyebrow jewelry, but 14-gauge is also sometimes used.
Gauge Sizing FAQs
How can I measure the gauge size of a piece of jewelry?
Gauge measurement is tough to execute at home! The units of measure used to determine gauge sizes are very small, making it challenging to identify them accurately on your own.
First, check your jewelry’s packaging for gauge size information if you still have it. If you do not, take your jewelry to a professional piercer. There, they may use a tool such as a gauge wheel to identify where your jewelry falls on the gauge size chart. A gauge wheel is a circular disc with notches that correspond to each gauge size. Jewelry is inserted into each notch until it fits, thus identifying its gauge size.
Generally, “standard” earrings fall within the 20 to 16-gauge range. However, only a professional piercer or jeweler can identify your gauge size with certainty.
What’s the biggest gauge size?
00 is the largest gauge size on our conversion chart. However, larger jewelry exists! Beyond the 00 gauge, jewelry is measured in millimeters or inches. Refer to our gauge size chart to get an idea of how tiny and how large body jewelry can be!
Where did the gauge size system come from?
Gauge sizes are based on the gauge system used by electrical workers to measure wire thickness. Because wires and jewelry are similarly narrow in size, the same units of measure can be used to identify their gauge sizes.
I think I’m wearing the wrong ear gauge size. What should I do?
First, remove your jewelry. Even if your piercing may close up, you should always remove jewelry if it’s causing pain or discomfort. Contact a professional piercer or healthcare professional to discuss how to proceed.
What are the gauge sizes in order?
Refer to the body jewelry measuring chart to view the gauge sizes in order from smallest (20 gauge) to largest (00 gauge).
How do I know my gauge size?
It’s essential to speak with a professional to learn the appropriate gauge size for your piercing. Call or visit a local piercing studio for more information. Once you learn the appropriate gauge size for your piercing, feel free to visit a Spencer’s store and speak with an associate for assistance when shopping for a specific jewelry size.
How far can you stretch your ears before it’s irreversible?
Everyone’s body is different and heals at a different pace. While the professional piercing community believes ears stretched to a maximum of 00g can potentially close naturally, there’s always a chance that ears stretched to ANY size may never close naturally.
We recommend that guests ask their local piercing professional for information about reducing their gauge size. For more information on ear stretching, read How to Stretch Your Ears.
When you’re eventually ready to insert body jewelry again, ask a professional piercer to determine the correct ear gauge size for your body piercing. Most jewelry shops have ear gauge size charts available to help you select the right body jewelry! Gauge measurement is an essential step in choosing jewelry that will allow a piercing to heal properly.
