Figure out Her Ring Size

If you want to get a ring for someone, one of the trickiest things you’ll have to do is figure out what size ring they wear. This is especially difficult if you want the ring to be a surprise. Fortunately, there are many different ways you can figure out her ring size without having to spoil the surprise. Casually asking around, measuring a ring she already owns or using sly tactics will help you find the perfect ring in the correct size.

Steps

Asking About Her Ring Size

  1. Ask her friends. Her friends may have no idea what size she wears, but it is certainly worth a shot. You’ll probably have to tell them why you’re asking, so be prepared with a story if you don’t feel comfortable telling them the truth.[1]
    • You could also ask one of her friends to take her ring shopping. It is less likely to arouse suspicion if a close girlfriend casually suggests wanting to go ring shopping. Ask her friend to remember what size she wears after they go and report back to you.
    • If you want to get her a ring, but aren’t sure what she would like, this can also be a good way to get an idea of what styles she likes.
  2. Ask a female friend with similar size hands. If you have a friend that is similar in size to your girlfriend, try asking them what size ring they wear. If you have already bought the ring, ask your friend to try it on and see if it fits.[1]
    • Keep in mind, though, that ring size can vary a lot. Even some petite girls can have chubby fingers, whereas some larger women have very slender fingers. Don’t just ask a friend that is roughly the same size and weight. Try to have a good idea of the recipient’s hand size, and then choose a friend that has similarly sized hands.
  3. Ask her casually. You could come up with a story about how you’d like to get a family member (e.g. mom, sister, aunt, grandma, etc.) a ring as a gift, but that you have no idea what size they wear. Tell her that you think that she might have similarly sized hands, and ask if she knows what size ring she wears.[1]
    • You can take this one step further and actually purchase a cheap ring in the size you think she wears. Tell her you’re thinking of giving it to a female family member as a gift, but you’re not sure if the size is right. Have her try the ring on to see if it fits.

Using a Ring She Already Owns

  1. Borrow one of her rings. One of the most sure-fire ways to figure out her ring size accurately is to have a ring she already owns sized. Choose a ring that she wears on her ring finger (or whatever finger you want to put your ring on), and take it to a jeweler. They will be able to tell you what size the ring is.[1]
    • Be careful when borrowing a ring, though! Don’t take her favorite ring that she wears every single day. She will notice that it is gone, and probably be very worried. Instead, try to take a ring that you have seen her wear on the correct finger (even if it is on the wrong hand), but that she only wears every now and then.
    • Take good care of the ring while it is in your possession! You don’t want to have to deal with the consequences if you lose or damage the ring.
  2. Trace one of her rings. If you feel too nervous borrowing one of her rings for a day, you can also trace the ring on a sheet of paper. Lay the ring flat on a piece of paper and trace the inner part of the ring using a pen or pencil.[1]
    • You can then try to figure out her ring size by calculating the circumference. Use an online size conversion chart to figure out her ring size.
    • Alternatively, you can press her ring into a soft bar of soap to get an exact impression. However, this may leave a film on the ring, and the soap may get into the setting. If this happens, be sure to rinse the ring gently under running water. Don’t forget to plug the sink so you don’t drop it down the drain.
    • You can easily find a conversion chart by doing an internet search for “ring size conversion chart.” These charts will usually show you a list of various diameters (in inches or in millimeters) and the corresponding sizes in various countries.
  3. Try one of her rings on your fingers. If you don’t want to borrow the ring for a day, and you don’t want to bother with the math, then try on a ring she owns to see how it fits your fingers. The easiest time to do this without getting caught is while she is in the shower or bath. Most people take their jewelry off while bathing so they don’t lose them.[1]
    • If you have similarly sized hands her ring might fit well on one of your fingers. If this is the case, you just have to remember which finger it fit best on. Go to a jeweler and ask them to size that finger.
    • If you have hands that are much larger, the ring probably won’t fit on your finger correctly. In this case, just put the ring on a finger as far down as it will go (don’t force it, just let it sit where it feels snug, but not too tight). Use a pen to mark the point on your finger where the ring fits. You can then go to a jeweler to find out the size, or measure your finger’s circumference and use a size chart to figure out what size she wears.
    • Note that if your hands are a lot smaller than hers, this method won’t work.

Using Other Tricks to Find Out Her Ring Size

  1. Take her to the mall. Many department stores have a jewelry section. In this section, there is often a display of many rings where you can try on the different rings. In most cases, the rings are arranged by size, and the ring size is clearly indicated. Casually trying on rings for fun is the perfect way to get her ring size on the sly.[2]
    • Take her to the mall for a casual shopping trip, and plan it so that you just happen to pass by the ring display. When you pass by, act like there is a ring that has caught your interest. Usually, there will be rings for men and women. If you are a man, start casually trying on the men’s rings and invite her to join in the fun.
  2. Measure her finger while she is sleeping. If you live together or spend the night together often, you can try to measure her ring finger while she is sleeping. The easiest way to do this is to use a piece of string. When she is in her deepest sleep, gently wrap the string around her finger so that it is snug, but not tight. If you see her finger changing color, the string is too tight.[2]
    • Mark the spot where the string comes together and then use a ring size chart to figure out her ring size. You can find one at this website: http://qalo.com/pages/ring-size-chart. By doing it this way, you can measure the length of the string in inches or millimeters. This will be the circumference of her finger. You can then easily convert this into the correct ring size.
    • If she is not a deep sleeper then this is probably not the safest option. If she wakes up, you’ll probably have a hard time explaining what you’re doing without arousing suspicion.
  3. Compare her fingers with your fingers. This method isn’t the most exact method in the world, but it can help give you an idea. Keep this as casual as possible. For example, if you are hanging out watching TV, hold her hand for awhile. Try to wait until she’s really into whatever is on TV and then compare her ring finger with your fingers. Is there one that is pretty similar in size?[1]
    • Do this casually, don’t just grab her hand out of nowhere and start comparing all of your fingers.
    • If you do have one finger that is quite similar to her ring finger you can go to the jewelers and explain the situation to them. They’ll help you size your own finger to figure out her ring size.

Tips

  • Don’t worry too much if you are having a hard time figuring out her ring size. Most jewelers can re-size a ring that doesn’t fit properly, though some rings will be easier to re-size than others. Some metals, such as Tungsten cannot be resized.[3]
  • The most common ring size for women is 6 to 6.5 in US ring sizes.
  • Be aware that rings with thicker bands fit more tightly than rings with thin bands. If you are borrowing one of her rings for sizing, try to find one that will be similar in width to the ring you want to purchase.[1]

Warnings

  • If you borrow one of her rings, be sure that it is one she doesn’t wear often. If you borrow her favorite ring she may get very upset that it is missing.

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Sources and Citations

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