Piercing Size Guide
Find the right gauge, length, and diameter for every piercing — from first lobe to industrial. A clean, measurement-first reference to help you order with confidence.
The Three Measurements
Every piece of body jewelry is described with a combination of gauge, length (or diameter), and — for gemmed pieces — stone size.
Gauge (G)
The thickness of the post or ring wire. A higher number means a thinner post. 20G is standard for lobes; 16G is standard for most cartilage piercings.
Length
For straight posts, barbells, and labrets: the distance between the two ends of the post — not including the decorative top or flat back.
Diameter
For rings, hoops, and clickers: the inside width measured straight across the center — not including the ring thickness itself.
Quick rule of thumb. Gauge describes thickness. Length describes a straight post. Diameter describes a ring opening.
Gauge at a Glance
Actual-scale comparison of the most common piercing gauges. Smaller number = thicker post.
Ring Diameter — Actual Size
View on a phone or print at 100% to compare with your existing jewelry.
Know Your Jewelry
Eight core styles cover almost every piercing.
Flat-Back Labret
Decorative top on a straight post with a flat disc back. Most popular for cartilage & lobes.
Captive Bead Ring
A ring held closed by tension on a small bead. Works for most hoopable piercings.
Seamless Ring
Hinge-free ring that twists open. Cleanest, most minimal hoop silhouette.
Clicker
Hinged ring that snaps shut. Ideal for daith, septum, helix.
Straight Barbell
Two balls, straight post. Used for tongue, nipple, industrial.
Curved Barbell
Banana-shaped. Standard for navel, rook, eyebrow, vertical labret.
Circular Barbell
Horseshoe shape with two ball ends. Great for septum, helix, nipple.
Industrial Barbell
Extra-long straight barbell that passes through two cartilage piercings.
Map of the Ear
Every spot on the ear has a different thickness, healing time, and typical jewelry size.
Upper outer cartilage
Top ridge, near temple
Flat plate of cartilage
Inner ridge fold
Inner bowl of the ear
Innermost cartilage fold
Small flap over ear canal
Opposite the tragus
Soft fleshy bottom
Standard sizes at a glance
| Location | Typical Gauge | Post Length | Ring Diameter | Common Styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lobe | 18G20G | 5 – 8 mm | 6 – 10 mm | Flat-back stud, huggie, small hoop |
| Upper / Stacked lobe | 18G | 6 – 8 mm | 6 – 8 mm | Flat-back stud, mini huggie |
| Helix | 16G18G | 6 – 10 mm | 7 – 10 mm | Flat-back stud, clicker, seamless ring |
| Forward Helix | 16G18G | 6 – 8 mm | — | Flat-back stud |
| Flat | 16G | 6 – 10 mm | — | Flat-back stud |
| Tragus | 16G18G | 6 – 8 mm | 6 – 8 mm | Flat-back stud, small clicker |
| Conch | 16G14G | 6 – 10 mm | 10 – 14 mm | Flat-back stud, large hoop / ring |
| Daith | 16G | — | 8 – 10 mm | Clicker, heart ring, seamless ring |
| Rook | 16G | 6 – 10 mm | 8 – 10 mm | Curved barbell, clicker |
| Snug / Anti-tragus | 16G | 6 – 8 mm | — | Curved barbell, flat-back stud |
| Industrial | 14G16G | 30 – 38 mm | — | Industrial barbell |
Too short? The flat disc presses into your skin. Too long? The earring tilts forward.
Nose & Septum Sizing
Nostril piercings use the thinnest gauges in body jewelry. Septum rings sit thicker, sized by inside diameter.
Four piercings, three sizing rules
Nostril and high nostril take a short stud (6.5–8mm). Septum passes through the thin tissue between nostrils and takes a ring sized by inside diameter (8–10mm). The bridge spans the soft tissue between the eyes using a curved barbell.
| Location | Gauge | Length / Diameter | Styles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nostril | 20G18G | Post: 6.5–8mm Hoop: 6–10mm | L-bend stud, nose screw, hoop, flat-back |
| High Nostril | 18G20G | Post: 6–8mm | Flat-back labret |
| Septum | 16G14G | Diameter: 8–10mm | Clicker, seamless ring, circular barbell |
| Bridge (Erl) | 16G14G | Length: 12–14mm | Curved barbell |
Lip, Monroe, Medusa & Tongue
Oral piercings sit thicker because tissue is denser and more likely to swell.
Every lip position, one standard gauge
The majority of lip piercings use 16G. Only vertical labret and snake bites go up to 14G for a chunkier look. Post length depends on tissue thickness at each spot.
| Location | Gauge | Post Length | Styles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labret (center lower) | 16G14G | 8–10mm (initial: 10–12mm) | Flat-back labret, ring |
| Monroe / Madonna | 16G | 6–8mm | Flat-back labret |
| Medusa (philtrum) | 16G | 6–10mm | Flat-back labret |
| Vertical labret | 14G16G | 10–14mm | Curved barbell |
| Snake bites (pair) | 16G14G | 8–10mm | Flat-back labret (pair) |
| Tongue (center) | 14G | 14–18mm (initial: 18–22mm) | Straight barbell |
Eyebrow Piercings
Vertical brow vs. anti-eyebrow
A standard vertical brow piercing uses a curved barbell at 16G × 8–10mm. Anti-eyebrow sits on the cheekbone and is a surface piercing — usually fitted with a surface barbell.
| Location | Gauge | Length / Diameter | Styles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eyebrow (vertical) | 16G18G | 8–10mm | Curved barbell, CBR, seamless ring |
| Anti-eyebrow | 16G14G | 6–8mm | Surface barbell, curved barbell |
Navel & Nipple
Anatomy of the two body pieces
Both navel and nipple use 14G gauge. Navel uses a curved banana barbell at 10mm. Nipple uses a straight barbell at 14–16mm, or a captive bead ring of similar diameter.
| Location | Gauge | Length / Diameter | Styles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navel (belly button) | 14G | Length: 10mm (range 8–12mm) | Curved barbell (banana), dangle |
| Floating / Reverse navel | 14G | Length: 8–10mm | Curved barbell (top facing down) |
| Nipple | 14G12G | Length: 14–16mm Diameter: 12–16mm | Straight barbell, CBR, clicker |
Conversion & FAQ
| Gauge | mm | Inches | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22G | 0.6 mm | 0.024" | Extra-fine nostril |
| 20G | 0.8 mm | 0.032" | Lobe, nostril |
| 18G | 1.0 mm | 0.040" | Lobe, cartilage |
| 16G | 1.2 mm | 0.047" | Cartilage, lip, septum |
| 14G | 1.6 mm | 0.063" | Navel, nipple, tongue |
| 12G | 2.0 mm | 0.079" | Stretched lobe, nipple |
| 10G | 2.4 mm | 0.094" | Stretched lobe |
| 8G | 3.2 mm | 0.126" | Stretched lobe |
| mm | Inches | Fraction |
|---|---|---|
| 5 mm | 0.20" | 3/16" |
| 6 mm | 0.24" | 1/4" |
| 8 mm | 0.31" | 5/16" |
| 10 mm | 0.39" | 3/8" |
| 12 mm | 0.47" | 1/2" |
| 14 mm | 0.55" | 9/16" |
| 16 mm | 0.63" | 5/8" |
| 19 mm | 0.75" | 3/4" |
Frequently Asked
I don't know what size I was pierced at — what should I do?
Ask your piercing studio; they log the gauge and length. If that's not possible, 18G or 16G covers most ear piercings.
How do I measure my existing jewelry at home?
Remove the piece, lay it on a millimeter ruler, and measure the post thickness, length, or inside diameter of a ring.
Can I put a cartilage earring in my lobe?
Yes — a 16G flat-back stud fits easily through an 18G or 20G lobe piercing.
Why do fresh piercings use longer posts?
Initial piercings swell for 2–6 weeks. A longer post gives room for swelling; you'll downsize once healed.
How do I pick a hoop diameter?
Huggie 8–10mm, small helix hoop 7–9mm, daith 8mm, septum 8–10mm, conch 10–14mm.
Is gold or titanium better for a new piercing?
Implant-grade titanium (ASTM F-136) is safest for fresh piercings. Solid 14k or 18k gold is safe for healed piercings.
Jewelry for every piercing
Explore our flat-back studs, clickers and hoops — each listed with its exact gauge, length and diameter.
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