How to Determine the Ring Finger Size of Your Partner

ring doesnt fit correctly wrong size finger too tight

Avoid buying the wrong ring size for your partner!

Whether you are buying a diamond ring online together with your future partner or you are planning a secret proposal, you want to make sure you are getting the correct size for the ring to avoid disappointment and hassles of returns.

For many people (especially guys), finding out the correct ring finger size of the recipient can be a huge challenge and that is something I want to touch on today.

This write up will be split into 2 sections where I will reveal methods of determining ring finger size for people who don’t need to be discreet and for people who need to find out their partner’s ring size in secret.

Let’s get started with the 3 direct methods of finding out a ring size together with your partner.

#1. DIY Measurements With Your PC & Internet

If the option of using a jeweler to measure your partner’s ring finger size is not viable in your circumstances or you want to do it yourself, there are a number of ring sizer tools available at online jewelry websites.

For instance, you might want to check out this ring sizer widget that’s pretty easy to use.

Alternatively, you can print out pre-made templates and wrap it around your partner’s finger to get a size reading. Do take note that when you use this method, you need to ensure the print out is correctly scaled at 100 percent so that the sizer is not deformed.

#2. Head to the Jeweler to Measure Your Finger Professionally

ring size checking mandrel gauge

Jeweler using a mandrel to measure ring size.

The most ideal and accurate way to go about doing this is to have the finger measured by a jeweler or professional. With special tools and a set of graduated rings, they can help you determine the correct ring finger size in a couple of minutes.

#3. How to Determine Ring Size Using a String And Ruler

If you do not want to use a paper sizer nor want to visit a jeweler, you can use a ruler and a piece of string to perform the measurement of your partner’s finger. Simply tie a string around the ring finger and mark the point of connection on the string.

With this method, you want to make the string somewhat loose so that the ring is able to fit over the knuckle (the thickest part of the finger) smoothly.

Here’s an important point you need to be aware of: the hands should be warm in order to take accurate measurements. Ideally, the hands should be in an area with temperatures that are slightly higher than room temperature.

If the ring size was measured in colder temperature (the finger actually shrinks!), you might end up buying a ring that would be too tight and uncomfortable to wear.

james allen flush fit pave diamond ring

A beautiful french cut pavé diamond ring for maximum sparkle from James Allen.

Vendors like James Allen and White Flash offer free ring resizing and generous return policies. If you are looking for a risk-free way to buy high quality diamond rings, make sure you check them out!

How to Find Out Your Partner’s Finger Size Secretly

This section is catered for people who are planning a surprise for their partners and want to keep things under wraps. If your partner already wears rings, you can determine his/her ring finger size by ‘stealing’ one of their rings and taking it to a jeweler for measurement.

All you need to do is to find a way of getting the ring to the jeweler and returning it secretly without being found out. Obviously, the whole point of being discreet is to avoid alerting them so that you do not spoil the surprise.

However, if your partner doesn’t wear any rings, you’ll need to get creative.

planning a surprise engagement proposal for marriage

Here are some methods I thought of:

• You could playfully compare the size of your fingers with your partner’s or play a guessing game and ask for proof by actual measurement.

• Ask your partner if they like wearing brass knuckles and use the chance to make paper brass knuckles for a specific costume or event. This can be a clear opportunity to measure your partner’s ring finger size using a string.

• Come up with a game that disguises a question about finger size that arouses her curiosity. For example, you could say that you read a trivial about Da Vinci’s golden ratio that states that the size of her palm divided by 3 would equal to the size of the ring finger. While there may not be scientific proof to back up this calculation, you could make use of this opportunity to measure her ring size.

friends shopping for jewelry together

Sometimes, it might be easier if you consult your partner’s friends or family for help or to do some brainstorming together. You could get in touch with one of her close friends and seek their assistance to help you out.

For example, you could ask them to bring her out for casual shopping and have them report their findings to you later. Heck, they could even be more direct and help you pop the question about her ring size with the excuse of being curious.

If you have other creative ideas you would like to share with our readers, feel free to leave a comment below.

Buy Her the Ring of Her Dreams

Once you’ve done all your homework and are ready to shop, it’s time to bite the bullet and buy the diamond ring. If this is your first time shopping for a diamond ring, make sure you check out our comprehensive guide on finding the perfect diamond.

I recommend that you check out James Allen and White Flash as they offer a superb selection of beautifully crafted engagement rings. Both vendors are highly reliable and they have a massive inventory of high quality GIA and AGS certified diamonds.

In fact, I’ve purchased several diamond rings from both vendors and you can read the indepth reviews here and here.

What I loved about them are their straightforward ring building process and consumer-orientated sales policies where there is absolutely zero-risk to make a purchase.

two tone unique designer engagement ring
cathedral setting of the right size diamond

With the latest video technology, you can see exactly how the engagement ring setting and diamond look like before you make a purchase. Visit James Allen and White Flash to find out more!

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8 Comments

  1. Kaya-
    April 14, 2016 at 6:44 am

    Cool idea. I was searching for this only because I want to give a surprise to my husband and here I got an idea, now i just have to steal his ring for some time. ;) If you want to find out how to guess your partner’s ring size, try out the ideas here.

  2. Nelly-
    August 27, 2016 at 2:03 am

    @kaya Like you, I came looking for help and googling “how to find out what size ring your boyfriend wears”. The problem I have is that my bf wears his ring 24/7 and doesn’t take that off even when he is bathing or sleeping. I don’t want to arouse any suspicion as I’m planning a gift for his birthday. Any suggestions that can help?

  3. Paul Gian-
    August 28, 2016 at 5:05 pm

    You can casually ask him to show you the ring during a meal or while having a drink. With the ring, you can try to fit it on your own finger to gauge what size it is (assuming you already know your own finger size). Otherwise, you can probably wring the info off him by casually asking about his ring size with some small talk.

  4. Allan Altman-
    October 24, 2017 at 3:34 am

    I would get the ring sized afterwards. If you think it’s going to be to be too big have a ring guard put in for the time being until you are ready to have it sized. If it is too small arrange a time where you can get the ring sized immediately. That way it takes the guesswork out of sizing the ring twice. And it puts less stress on the metal. Plus it costs more to size a ring up verses a ring down. Make sure if the ring has gemstones they make sure there are no loose stones after the ring has been sized.

  5. David-
    March 15, 2019 at 10:56 pm

    Here are some ideas on how to determine engagement ring size:

    Get a set of toy rings. Arrange a costume fancy dress and suggest trying the rings. Use an assistant to keep track of the ring that fits.

    Wait for Halloween. Make a nail through the finger prosthetic with a bandage. Measure the girth of the bandage.

    Get a yoyo and tie it to the finger. Arrange a yoyo contest for charity event.

    Show your partner how to do a magic trick using strings wrapped around the fingers.

    Make a plaster cast of the hand.

  6. Paul Gian-
    March 16, 2019 at 2:44 am

    Thank you for those ideas! I like the yoyo method the most and it can be done almost any time with little or no effort!

  7. James-
    July 11, 2019 at 11:02 am

    Thanks for the tips but I am running out of time. I need a diamond ring in 1 week’s time and I want to find out how to size a ring for a surprise engagement. The main problem is that I am afraid the ring would not fit into her finger on the day I propose. Do you have any advice what I should do here?

  8. Paul Gian-
    July 12, 2019 at 4:29 pm

    Based on studies in the US, the average sized woman in the US is about 5ft 4″ tall and the average ring size is between 4.5 to 7. Since you are in a rush for time (which is a really really bad way to shop for a diamond ring), you can use these estimates to gauge her ring size without her knowing. If she’s larger in size, then get a size up and vice versa, if she is smaller in build, get a size smaller. To be on the safe side, get a larger ring so that the ring can still go through her finger when you propose. You can then resize the ring at a later date.

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