How To Measure Wrist Size: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Measure Wrist Size PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Kate Breen and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 References

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  • Measuring for a Watch or Bracelet
    • |
  • Finding Your Body Frame Size
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
  • Q&A
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  • Tips
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This article was co-authored by Kate Breen and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Kate Breen is a Personal Stylist based in Washington D.C. She is the founder and owner of GetDressedGo, a Personal Styling and Image Consulting firm. Kate’s mission is to help people use clothing and style as tools to thrive personally and professionally. Clients of GetDressedGo receive a variety of services, including vision boards, closet audits, personal shopping, home boutique experiences, and seasonal refreshes. She has over 20 years of experience in the styling and fashion world, and she was an adjunct professor in Costume Design & Production at The George Washington University. Kate received a BA in English Literature from Johns Hopkins University and earned a MFA in Costume Design from The George Washington University. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 351,646 times.

Finding the measurements of your wrist can help you determine what size you need for a watch or bracelet. Determine what type of jewelry you’re wearing so you know what measurement to take, such as wrist circumference, wrist width, or hand circumference. Then wrap a string around the spot so you can find the length. You can also use your wrist measurements to calculate your body frame size.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Measuring for a Watch or Bracelet

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  1. Step 1 Find your wrist circumference if you’re measuring for a watch or standard bracelet. 1 Find your wrist circumference if you’re measuring for a watch or standard bracelet. Standard link watches and bracelets wrap completely around your wrist, so take the circumference measurement when you need to find the correct size. Choose the spot on your wrist where you normally would put your jewelry so you can take an accurate measurement, which tends to be around the widest part of your wrist or just below the bone next to your hand.
    • If you’re measuring for a heart rate monitor, take the measurement about 1⁄2–3⁄4 in (1.3–1.9 cm) up from your wrist bone so you can get the most accurate heart rate readings.[1]
  2. Step 2 Measure the width of your wrist for an open loop bracelet. 2 Measure the width of your wrist for an open loop bracelet. Open loop bracelets have a gap in them so you can slide the bracelet over your wrist. Choose the widest spot on your wrist, which is usually where you feel the knobby bones on either side of your arm. When you measure for an open loop bracelet, you only need to measure the width from one side of your wrist to the other.[2] Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Measure around your knuckles for closed loop bangles. 3 Measure around your knuckles for closed loop bangles. Closed loop bangles have a rigid shape and must slide over your hand when you put them on. If you’re measuring your wrist to find the right bangle size, then hold your hand in front of you with your palm face up. Move your thumb to touch the tip of your pinky so your hand is the same shape as it would be when you put on a bangle. Find the circumference of your hand around the knuckles.[3]
    • Be careful not to move your pinky or else you’ll have an inaccurate measurement.
  4. Step 4 Wrap a string around your wrist or hand depending on what jewelry you’re measuring for. 4 Wrap a string around your wrist or hand depending on what jewelry you’re measuring for. Use a piece of string that’s about 1 foot (30 cm) long so there’s enough excess to wrap around your wrist. Lay the string on a flat surface so it’s straight and set your wrist on top of it so your palm is face up. Wrap the ends over your wrist so it’s snug against your skin and so it overlaps in the middle.[4]
    • If you’re measuring your wrist width for an open loop bracelet, then lay the string on top of your wrist so the end starts on the knobby bone on one side of your wrist and extends to the other.
    • If you’re measuring for a closed loop bangle, start the string on top of your knuckles and wrap it around your hand so it goes over the base of your thumb.
    • You can also use a fabric or flexible measuring tape to find your wrist size if you have one.[5]

    Tip: If you don’t have a string, you can also cut a 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) wide strip of paper to wrap around your wrist instead. Some websites offer printable rulers so you can see the measurement when you wrap it around your wrist.

  5. Step 5 Mark a point on the string where it overlaps on your wrist. 5 Mark a point on the string where it overlaps on your wrist.[6] Make sure the string fits snugly against your skin before you make your mark. Use a marker to draw dots on the string where it overlaps itself. Make sure to mark both ends of the string so you can take an accurate measurement.[7]
    • If you’re using a flexible measuring tape, look what number lines up with the 0 end.
    • If you’re measuring wrist width, mark the string where it touches the knobby bone on the inside of your arm.
  6. Step 6 Hold the string against a ruler to find the measurement. 6 Hold the string against a ruler to find the measurement. Stretch out the string so it’s straight again and place it next to a ruler. Line up one of the marks you made on the string with the end of the ruler, and find the distance to your second mark. Write down your measurement so you don’t forget it.[8] [9]
    • You can also use a tape measure if you don’t have a ruler.
  7. Step 7 Add 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) to the length so your jewelry isn’t too tight. 7 Add 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) to the length so your jewelry isn’t too tight. Bracelets or watches can get uncomfortable when you wear them if they’re too tight. Put an additional 1⁄2 in (1.3 cm) to the measurement you found so the watch or bracelet fits looser.[10] [11]
    • For example, if your wrist circumference was 5 1⁄2 inches (14 cm), then the final measurement will be 6 inches (15 cm).
    • Don’t add anything to your measurement if you’re measuring for a heart rate monitor since it needs to be snug on your skin to get an accurate reading.
    Gisbert L. Brunner Gisbert L. Brunner, Watch Historian

    When buying a watch, the diameter of the case and bracelet must match the wrist size so that the watch sits comfortably on the arm without sliding back and forth. As a general rule, the space between the wrist and bracelet should be the thickness of one finger.

    8. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Finding Your Body Frame Size

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  1. Step 1 Measure your wrist circumference just above the bone. 1 Measure your wrist circumference just above the bone. Feel your wrist to locate the knobby bones on either side of your arm and place your string on the side just above it. Wrap the string around your wrist until it’s snug and mark where it overlaps the end. Straighten out the string and hold it against a ruler to find your measurement. Write the measurement down so you don’t forget.[12]
    • Don’t add any additional length to your measurement.
    • You can also use a flexible tape measure if you have one. Look where the tape overlaps the 0 mark at the end to record your measurement.
  2. Step 2 Find your height... 2 Find your height using a tape measure or ruler. Stand straight up with your back against a wall and look straight ahead. Keep your feet flat and together so your heels touch the wall as well. Have a helper mark your height against the wall so it lines up with the top of your head. Step away from the wall and use a tape measure from the floor to the mark to find your height.[13]
    • Make sure you’re standing on a hard floor rather than carpet since it could affect your height measurement.

    Tip: Don’t include your hair when you take the height measurement. Instead, end your measurement at the top of your skull.

  3. Step 3 Compare your wrist measurement to your height using a body frame size chart. 3 Compare your wrist measurement to your height using a body frame size chart. Look for a body frame size chart online and find your height within the ranges. Then compare your wrist size to your height to find if you have a small, medium, or large frame. [14]
    • For example, if you’re a woman between 62–65 inches (160–170 cm) tall, you have a small frame if your wrist is smaller than 6 inches (15 cm), a medium frame if it’s between 6–6 1⁄4 inches (15–16 cm), and a large frame if it’s larger than 6 1⁄4 inches (16 cm).
    • You can find a body frame size chart here: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/17182.htm.
    • Talk to your primary care provider about what your frame size means for your ideal weight or body mass index.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question How big is a 14-year-old's wrist? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer On average, the size of a 14-year-old's wrist is around 6 inches (15.2 cm) for girls and 6.4 inches (16.4 cm) for boys, but this can vary a lot from one person to another! Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question Is 42mm too big for a 7-inch wrist? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer The ideal watch or bracelet length for a 7-inch wrist is around 38mm to 42mm, so it's not too big. However, this does give a slightly looser fit, so it really depends on personal preference. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
  • Question How can I tell my wrist size without a ruler? wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow Staff Editor wikiHow Staff Editor Staff Answer If you have another bracelet that fits you well, bring it with you when you're shopping, then compare other bracelets to it to see if they'll fit you too. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

Video

Tips

  • Compare your wrist size to the sizing charts for the watches or bracelets you want to buy since you may not be able to find an exact match. Get a size that’s slightly bigger to ensure that it fits well. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You’ll Need

Measuring for a Watch or Bracelet

  • String
  • Marker
  • Ruler

Finding Your Body Frame Size

  • String or flexible tape measure
  • Marker
  • Ruler

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dressing well, check out our in-depth interview with Kate Breen.

References

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/5TkK6ESaaMg?t=12
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/4kZkaRJQS5U?t=130
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/MUDYx_nqggo?t=43
  4. ↑ https://youtu.be/ypiuua7PR8o?t=28
  5. ↑ Kate Breen. Personal Stylist. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ Kate Breen. Personal Stylist. Expert Interview
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/ypiuua7PR8o?t=36
  8. ↑ Kate Breen. Personal Stylist. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/ypiuua7PR8o?t=46
More References (5)
  1. ↑ Kate Breen. Personal Stylist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/4kZkaRJQS5U?t=114
  3. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/17182.htm
  4. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/bmi/child-teen-calculator/measure-child-height-weight.html
  5. ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/17182.htm

About This Article

Kate Breen Co-authored by: Kate Breen Personal Stylist This article was co-authored by Kate Breen and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Kate Breen is a Personal Stylist based in Washington D.C. She is the founder and owner of GetDressedGo, a Personal Styling and Image Consulting firm. Kate’s mission is to help people use clothing and style as tools to thrive personally and professionally. Clients of GetDressedGo receive a variety of services, including vision boards, closet audits, personal shopping, home boutique experiences, and seasonal refreshes. She has over 20 years of experience in the styling and fashion world, and she was an adjunct professor in Costume Design & Production at The George Washington University. Kate received a BA in English Literature from Johns Hopkins University and earned a MFA in Costume Design from The George Washington University. This article has been viewed 351,646 times. 2 votes - 100% Co-authors: 10 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 351,646 Categories: Watches Article SummaryX

To measure the size of your wrist for a bracelet or watch, wrap flexible measuring tape around your wrist in the exact area where you want the item to go. Then, record the number on the tape that overlaps with its 0 end and add roughly 0.5 inches, so your watch or bracelet isn't too snug. For example, if the 7-inch mark overlaps with the 0 mark, choose wristwear sized at about 7.5 inches. From here, you can shop using your adjusted measurement to refer to sizing charts. Alternatively, if you want to determine your body frame size, measure your wrist's circumference where the bone juts out, then enter this number and your height into a body frame size chart online. For more tips, like how to measure the size of your wrist for a bangle bracelet, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Kate Breen Co-authored by: Kate Breen Personal Stylist Co-authors: 10 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 351,646 100% of readers found this article helpful. 2 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Max Wallace

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