Body Piercing Size Chart

How many piercings have you had in your lifetime? Two or four? Do you plan to stop there, or do you wish you had more? If you have immersed yourself in the piercing world, it’s essential to learn essential pieces of information, especially when it comes to different gauge sizes. So how do you know what’s the right gauge size for your jewelry?

Understanding Gauge Sizes

Gauge refers to the general thickness of your jewelry. Thickness does not describe the length but rather the width of the shaft. The size indicates how large the hole is to fit the jewelry.

According to professional body piercers, the jewelry gauge system is derived from the wire gauge system used by electrical professionals. The gauge is a number followed by the letter “g” or the word “gauge.” In America, piercers measure it by gauge, while in Asia and Europe, they measure it in millimeters. The higher the gauge, the thinner the width. In other words, they are in reverse.

Knowing Your Size

Body jewelry has standard sizes for specific piercings. Professional piercers use this chart as a guide, but it doesn’t mean it will always be followed since everyone is different. Generally, the gauge will depend on your body and the kind of jewelry you wish to wear. Therefore, you should ask your piercer if you want to know your exact gauge size.

STANDARD PIERCING SIZES

How do you compare gauges to millimeters and inches?

Professional piercers usually follow the standard size chart unless you request a different size for your initial jewelry. For those who can’t visit a piercing studio, we suggest purchasing a gauge wheel tool. This tool is a disk with notches showing the gauge sizes. All you need to do is slide your jewelry into the notches until you find your size. The sizes are printed right next to the notch.

Jewelry Types

Captive Bead Rings

How do you measure captive bead rings? This type of jewelry is measured from the largest inside diameter. Captive Bead Rings are called Ball Captive Rings, BCRs, or CBRs.

Captive Bead rings come in different sizes, shapes, and varieties. However, the measuring rule is the same for all of them. If you are going to measure it, check the largest inside diameter.

Straight Barbells

To determine the size of straight barbells, you need to measure the length of the barbell without the two balls on both ends. Then, you just have to measure the bar’s length.

Circular or Horseshoe Barbells

Circular or horseshoe barbells are the jewelry of choice for ear plugs, earrings, eyebrow rings, belly rings, genital piercings, and nipple piercings. Like the captive bead rings, you measure barbells from the largest inside diameter.

Takeaway

The different gauges can be overwhelming, especially since you have to consider so many measurements. But, don’t get discouraged because if you find a professional piercer who has the knowledge, skills, and experience, you’ll be in safe hands.

It also helps if you do your research to make realistic and safe requests. Finally, after getting a body piercing, make sure you take good care of it to heal well. One way of speeding up the healing process is to keep your site clean at all times.

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