How to Measure Your Bangle Size at Home

When buying a gold bangle, choosing the right size is as important as the look and weight of the model. Whether you are buying for yourself or planning a surprise gift, knowing how to measure a bangle size is one of the most common hurdles. The wrong size means the bangle is either too loose and at risk of slipping off, or will not go on at all.

A bangle size should not be confused with bracelets that have a clasp or chain models. Traditional 22 karat Turkish bangles do not stretch and have no clasp. They have to pass over the widest part of the hand to sit on the wrist. That is why, when measuring, you calculate the widest part of the hand, not the wrist.

What does a bangle number mean?

Bangle numbers such as 5.8, 6.0 or 6.2 that you hear in jewellers' shops are not random names; they show the bangle's inner diameter. For example, a size 6.0 bangle has an inner diameter of 60 millimetres. Because this system is widely used in Turkey, your number means the same at different jewellers.

For comparison, the coins produced by the Turkish State Mint also have standard sizes: the quarter coin is about 18 mm across, the half 22 mm and the full coin 30 mm. Bangles, however, are made in different sizes for different people. You can see models in our catalogue.

Measuring the diameter of a bangle you already own

If you have a bangle that fits you perfectly, this is the easiest method. All you need is a ruler.

Lay the bangle flat on a table. Place the ruler so that it passes exactly through the centre of the bangle. Make sure you measure the inner opening of the ring, not the thickness of the metal. The number of millimetres is your bangle size:

• Inner opening 58 mm: your size is 5.8
• Inner opening 60 mm: your size is 6.0
• Inner opening 62 mm: your size is 6.2

Measuring your hand circumference with a tape

If you have no bangle to use as a reference, you can find your size by measuring around your hand. Here you do not measure your wrist, but the widest point the bangle has to pass over. A tape measure, or a piece of string and a ruler, is enough.

1. Bring the fingers of the hand you will wear the bangle on together, as if you were slipping a bangle on. Fold your thumb towards your palm so that your hand forms a cone.
2. Wrap the tape or string around the widest part of your hand in this position, not too tight but without leaving a gap.
3. Note the reading on the tape. If you used string, mark where it meets and measure it with a ruler.
4. Match the length you found to the table below.

Bangle size conversion chart

If your hand circumference falls right on the border between two sizes, choosing the larger one usually gives a more comfortable result.

Does the width of the bangle affect the size?

The width of the model matters as much as the size number. A thin ajda bangle and a thick burma bangle of the same number do not feel the same on the arm.

Thin bangles pass over the hand more easily. Wide, thick bangles have more contact with the hand, so they are harder to get on. If you wear a 6.0 in a thin model, it may be more comfortable to try one size up in very wide models. We explain the differences between models in our guide choosing a 22 karat bangle.

Can a bangle be resized if the size is wrong?

It depends entirely on the model. Flat, plain bangles such as the ajda can be stretched slightly on a sizing mandrel in the workshop. But because this stretches the metal, it makes the bangle a little thinner.

Making a bangle smaller is harder. It has to be cut and soldered again, which can affect the pattern, and a small amount of weight may be lost in the process. Twisted burma bangles and heavily worked models are not suited to stretching; with these, an exchange is usually discussed rather than resizing. It is worth asking about exchange terms before buying. Follow current prices on our market screen and do your calculations on our tools page.

Getting measured at a jeweller

The methods at home usually give good enough results. But if you are making a heavy purchase, trying sizing rings at a jeweller is the safest way. If you visit our store in Ümraniye, Istanbul, we can check your size together. For our address and opening hours, see our contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can your two arms have different bangle sizes?

For most people, the joints and muscles of the dominant hand are slightly wider than the other. Measuring the hand on the arm where you will wear the bangle gives a more accurate result.

Is it harmful to use cream or soap to put a bangle on?

Using soap or cream to slip on a slightly tight bangle is a common and harmless method. But forcing a bangle too much can bend it, because 22 karat gold is soft.

Are there half sizes for bangles?

In standard production, bangles usually go up in sizes such as 5.8, 6.0 and 6.2. Intermediate sizes can be made to order or with small adjustments in the workshop. In retail, standard sizes are what you will mostly find.