
Another similar tool is a sheet metal gauge tool, which looks like a small rectangle with cutouts along one side. Although, you could potentially use one to estimate the gauge of a nose stud (using the tail of an L-bend) if you found a plastic wheel. Gauge wheels are also intended for measuring straight wire, not oddly shaped pieces of body jewelry. These are typically made from steel (they look like a circle with cutouts around the exterior), have sharp edges, and are likely to scratch your jewelry. Gauge tools that don’t work well for nose hoops: Gauge measurement wheels. In the image below, the micrometer is on the top and the caliper is on the bottom. A micrometer can also measure the gauge, but you most likely won’t have one laying around unless you take a lot of precision measurements (it isn’t a cheap tool). Make sure you don't clamp the jaws down so hard that you're marring your jewelry. Not only can you use it to measure the gauge, but you can also use it to measure the inner diameter of an existing hoop and even your actual piercing.

Use a caliper or micrometer.Ī caliper is an inexpensive way to get accurate measurements for body jewelry. Compare an existing piece of jewelry to a printed gauge card.Īlternatively, if you have a gauge card from a previous online purchase, you can also try to compare the thickness of a piece of jewelry that you already have to the markings on the card. This will always be an easier, more reliable way to make sure you’re wearing the correct gauge. If you’ve forgotten the size you wear, then you have several options when it comes to determining which gauge your nose piercing is: Ask your piercer for help. You cannot use a ruler to measure the gauge. Do not try to force a thicker piece of jewelry through your piercing. It’s incredibly important to make sure that you’re buying the correct gauge. For example, a 22 gauge (0.64mm) nose hoop is thinner than an 18 gauge (1.0mm) nose hoop. Remember, smaller numbers are always thicker. The gauge of your nose ring refers to how thick the metal is.

How do you measure the gauge of a nose ring? My nose piercing is placed to high to get a hoop.What's the typical gauge for a nose piercing?.

How do you measure the gauge of a nose ring?.Hint: this has nothing to do with the size of your nose! Third, you need to check to see if the seller you’re purchasing from has any special measuring considerations.įor example, part of the design could take up some of the inner diameter or perhaps they list sizes in outer diameter (I don’t, all of my nose rings are measured using inner diameter). Second, you need to know which inner diameter will fit you correctly. First, you need to know which gauge you wear. There are three important things to pay attention to if you’re going to buy a nose ring online. If you’re wondering how you know what size your nose ring is you’re not alone! It’s the most common question I’ve encountered since I started making nose hoops.
