How to Pick the Right Nose Ring Size for a Perfect Fit

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Learn how to measure your nose to find the best ring or stud

Co-authored by Trinity Kesterke and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: July 11, 2026 Fact Checked

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Nose Ring Gauge Size

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Nose Ring Diameter

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Stud Length

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Measuring Nose Ring Size

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Septum Ring Size

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Nose Ring Styles

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Video

Nose rings come in a variety of sizes, and choosing jewelry that’s a perfect fit depends on a lot of factors. The right gauge size and diameter will make your nose ring more comfortable and complement your face, and we’ll walk you through what looks best! Keep reading to compare the different sizes for rings and studs, plus how to measure your nose to find the right one for you.

Nose Ring Gauge and Diameter Sizing Chart

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An illustrated chart showing the common gauge sizes (thicknesses) and diameters of nose rings.

Nose ring sizes vary depending on the person’s nose shape. Most standard nose rings have a 20- or 18-gauge (0.8 or 1 mm) thickness. The most common diameter is 8 millimeters (5/16 in), but it depends on how snug you want it to fit and where your piercing is located on your nose.

Section 1 of 6:

Standard Nose Ring Gauge Sizes

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18- and 20-gauge rings are the most common sizes for nose piercings. The gauge is the thickness of a nose ring, with larger numbers being thinner than lower ones. Most piercers choose an 18g or 20g as the standard sizes. A 20g (0.8 mm) nose ring has a smaller appearance, so they tend to work best on smaller noses. An 18g (1 mm) ring is a little bit larger and noticeable, so they’ work better on slightly larger noses.^{[1]
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- While they’re not as common, some piercers may offer other thinner or thicker gauge sizes:
  - 22g (0.6mm): 22-gauge nose rings are usually the lowest a piercer will go for a nose ring, and it’s best for smaller jewelry with a daintier look.
  - 16g or 14g (1.2 mm or 1.4 mm): A 16g nose ring has thicker metal, so it’s more bold if you want to make a statement. Body piercing expert Lynn Loheide says that you may get a 16g or 14g piercing if you plan on putting in a ring right away. She explains, “The ring will need to be thicker and larger diameter in order to be stable for healing and have room for swelling.”^{[2]
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    Expert Source
    
    Lynn Loheide
    Body Piercing Expert
    
    Expert Interview}
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Lynn Loheide is a body piercing expert based in Seattle, WA, with over 14 years of experience. They create educational content for the piercing industry on their blog, YouTube, and TikTok.

Section 2 of 6:

Common Nose Ring Diameter Sizes

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The most common nose ring diameter is 8 millimetres (0.31 in). The diameter measurement is the inner width of the ring at its widest point. The standard size for most nose rings is about 8 millimetres (0.31 in), but your piercer will determine the best diameter for you when you first get your nose pierced.^{[3]
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- Want to measure your nose to find the diameter? Jump down to our measurement instructions below.
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Piercing placement and snugness affect what diameter works best. If your nose piercing is higher up on your nose, your ring needs a larger diameter to fit comfortably. If your piercing is closer to the edge of your nostril, a smaller diameter keeps the ring snug without standing out too much.^{[4]
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- Lower nostril piercings tend to have a diameter between 6–8 millimetres (0.24–0.31 in). Smaller diameter rings tend to fit closer to your skin.
- Higher nostril piercings may require a larger diameter ring between 10–12 millimetres (0.39–0.47 in). Larger diameter rings also have a more relaxed look.

Section 3 of 6:

Average Length for Nose Studs

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Nose studs are usually between 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long. Loheide notes that it’s much easier for nose piercings to heal with a stud, so you’ll usually start with one before switching to a ring.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Lynn Loheide
Body Piercing Expert

Expert Interview} A comfortable length for your nose stud depends on the thickness of your nose’s cartilage. Most types of nose studs are around 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long so they fit snugly without dangling from your nose.
- The stud you initially wear after getting pierced is usually slightly longer to help accommodate any swelling or irritation.
- If a nose stud is too short, it may dig into your skin or cause pain.
EXPERT TIP

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist
Karissa Sanford is the Co-owner of Make Me Holey Body Piercing, a piercing studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area that specializes in safe and friendly body piercing. Karissa has over 10 years of piercing experience and is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist

Let a nose piercing heal for at least 6 months before changing jewelry. Leave in the jewelry you started with while your piercing is healing so you’re less likely to get an infection. Switching to longer studs or larger rings early may cause more irritation.

Section 4 of 6:

How to Measure for a Nose Ring

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Measure the distance from the edge of your nostril to the piercing for diameter size. Take a small square piece of paper. Look in a mirror, and align the corner of the paper with your nose piercing. Mark the edge of the paper where it meets the edge of your nostril. Then, use a ruler to measure from the mark to the corner to find the minimum ring diameter you need.^{[6]
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- Ask a friend to help you out to help you get a more accurate measurement.
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Use calipers to measure for the proper gauge size and stud length. If you want to measure your gauge size, take a nose ring that fits you well and pinch it between the jaws of a digital caliper to take your measurement. If you’re trying to find the length for a stud, measure an old piece of jewelry that fits well or pinch your nose cartilage with calipers for a precise measurement.
- Alternatively, visit a piercing shop to talk to a professional. They can accurately find the right size ring or stud for your piercing. Some piercers will even bend studs to perfectly fit your nose.

Section 5 of 6:

What is the most popular nose ring size for a septum piercing?

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A 16-gauge ring is the most common size for a septum piercing. A septum piercing goes through the cartilage between your nostrils. Because septum piercings are usually more bold than a standard nostril piercing, they tend to be a thicker 16-gauge.^{[7]
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- The diameter of a septum piercing depends on how much you want it to dangle from your nose, but the standard is around 8–10 millimetres (0.31–0.39 in). Smaller diameters fit snugly under your nose, while larger diameters are more noticeable statement pieces.

Section 6 of 6:

Nose Ring Styles

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Ring styles Nose rings come in a variety of styles depending on the look you’re trying to achieve and how easy they are to put on. Try a few different styles to see which one you like the most.
- Seamless rings have a small invisible seam that you pull apart and squeeze back together when you put it in. These rings don’t have any visible ball or hinge, so they look the most uniform.
- Clicker or hinged rings open up and snap closed with a small hinge. These rings are usually better once your piercing is healed because the hinges tend to be thicker and may cause irritation.
- Nose hoops have a small opening and a ball or flat piece on one end. Nose hoops don’t fully close, so they’re the easiest to remove, but they’re also the most likely to twist and fall out on their own.
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Stud styles Piercing expert Trinity Kesterke says there are 4 main types of studs that are commonly used for nostril piercings: labrets, L-shaped, corkscrews, and bones. She notes that studs can come in threaded styles that screw together or threadless options that push into place.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Trinity Kesterke
Piercing Expert

Expert Interview}
- Labrets have a flat back on one end that hugs against the side of your nose snugly and prevents them from falling out.
- L-shaped studs have a 90-degree bend on one end of the stud to help hold it in place. However, these studs can spin around and fall out easily.
- Corkscrews have a C-shaped hook on the end, and they’re more secure than L-shaped studs. However, Kesterke notes that buildup can easily form on the C-shape.^{[9]
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  Trinity Kesterke
  Piercing Expert
  
  Expert Interview}
- Bones have a small ball on the end of one end that holds them in place. However, Kesterke doesn’t recommend using them when you first get your nose pierced because the ball can damage or irritate your skin when you put it in or take it out.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Trinity Kesterke
  Piercing Expert
  
  Expert Interview}