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How to Remove a Ring with a String Download Article Learn to smoothly remove a stuck ring from your finger Co-authored by Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) and Amber Crain
Last Updated: November 15, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article
Wrapping the Finger with Thread or Floss
|
Using Other Removal Techniques
|
Expert Interview
|
Expert Q&A
|
Things You'll Need
|Show more|Show less X
This article was co-authored by Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Joseph Villarreal is a Gemologist and President of Villarreal Diamonds and Fine Jewelry based in Austin, Texas. With over 36 years of industry experience, Joseph and his team specialize in custom jewelry design, diamond sales, and consignment jewelry for private clientele. Joseph is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) with additional certifications in Diamond Grading and Gem Identification. Villarreal is also a member of Jewelers of America and is a Jewelers of America Certified Senior Management Professional. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 110,279 times.
If your ring is stuck on your finger, don’t panic! There are several techniques you can try to remove it. The string wrap (dental floss) technique can work in simple cases, but this technique does need a warning - tight wraps may cause finger damage and may make the swelling worse, the stuck ring can become even more stuck if this is unsuccessful. To use the string wrap technique, wrap a thin piece of thread or dental floss tightly around your finger, starting at your middle knuckle and working your way to the edge of the ring. Slip the end of the thread under the ring, pull it taut, and start unwinding it in the same direction to slowly pry off the ring. If that doesn’t work, try icing your finger to reduce swelling or applying a lubricant like cooking oil.
How to Get a Stuck Ring Off
Wrap a thin piece of thread or dental floss around your knuckle to compress the skin close to the ring. Slip the end of the string under the ring and pass it through the other side. Pull the thread taut toward your knuckle and start unwinding the string, then pull the loosened ring off.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 2:
Wrapping the Finger with Thread or Floss
Download Article
1 Select a thin piece of thread or dental floss for the job. Thin thread or dental floss will slide more easily underneath a stuck ring. The waxy surface of dental floss can make it even more useful in this situation. If you choose to use thread, make sure it’s thin but strong.[1]X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
If you only have access to thicker string, like a shoelace, go ahead and try it!
2 Position 1 end of the thread at your middle knuckle above the ring. Use your free hand to place the end of the thread or floss at the knuckle on the fingertip side of your finger. Wind the string around your knuckle once to get the wrapping process started.
If you’re working by yourself, you may need to briefly hold the string in place by squeezing the fingers on the affected hand tightly together.
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3 Wrap the thread around your finger from the knuckle to the ring's edge. The idea is to compress your skin close to the ring, so wind the thread tightly around your finger. Keep wrapping it around as you slowly move toward the ring. Make sure each wrap is directly next to the previous wrap. Stop wrapping once you reach the edge of the ring.[2]XResearch source
You shouldn’t be able to see any flesh under or between the thread from your knuckle to the ring.
4 Slip the end of the string under the ring and pull it up on the other side. Now that your finger skin is compressed, you should be able to wedge the end of the thread under the ring and pass it through to the other side. Pull the thread up and toward your middle knuckle.[3]XResearch source
5 Unwrap the thread from this position to slowly to remove the ring. Pull the thread taut toward your knuckle and start unwinding the string. Each time you unwind 1 of the layers, the ring will move a little farther up the compressed skin of your finger. Keep unwinding the thread until you reach the starting point at your knuckle.[4]X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
It can help to gently nudge the ring with your free hand to help it along as you unwind the thread.
6 Pull the loosened ring completely off your finger. After unwinding the thread, you should be able to pull the ring completely off your finger. If the ring is still stuck, you may want to try another removal technique or seek emergency assistance.[5]X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 2:
Using Other Removal Techniques
Download Article
1 Elevate and ice the affected finger for 5-10 minutes to reduce swelling. Lift up your hand so the blood drains out of the affected area. Then, hold an ice pack to the finger for 5-10 minutes to help reduce the swelling around the ring. After 10 minutes, relax your hand and try to pull off the ring with your free hand.[6]X Expert Source Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA)JewelerExpert Interview
Don’t try to force it! This could cause additional swelling. If the ring won’t come off at this point, try another technique.
2 Cut the ring off your finger with a ring cutter. You can get a ring cutter from a jewelry store, fire department, or emergency room. It’s best to let a professional cut the ring off your finger so that you don’t injure yourself, and newer ring cutters are now available that can cut all ring metals, including Titanium and Tungsten Carbide rings (the Ring Rescue Dolphin Ring Cutter). Keep in mind that the ring will be damaged if you cut through it.[7]XResearch source
Ask a jeweler if the metal can be welded to repair the band once you get it off.
3 Apply soapy water or olive oil and twist the ring as you pull it. Cover the skin around and underneath the ring with warm, soapy water or olive oil. Once the area is saturated, use your free hand to twist the ring clockwise and counterclockwise to loosen it up. Then, keep twisting as you gently try to pry the ring off.[8]XResearch source
You can use any oil you have on hand for this. For example, baby oil, vegetable oil, and jojoba oil are all good lubricants.
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Join the Discussion...
I have a ring stuck on my finger that won’t come off WikiManateeLeaper902 I have unfortunately ended up in a situation where I can’t get a ring off of my finger. I tried to put one of my partner’s rings on my pinkie finger and it turned out to be way too small for my hand. I’m currently going nuts scared that I’m going to have to go to the doctor. Is there anything I can do to cut the ring off or make it expand a little? I think my finger is getting swollen which is making things worse and the ring just won’t come off. Read More Ighodalo Oribhabor Registered Nurse If someone has a ring that won’t come off, the first thing we do is try lubricants to reduce the friction and loosen the skin, like surgical lube or soap. We'll then try to gently slide the ring off without hurting the person. If that doesn’t work, and the procedure is urgent, we may have to cut the ring off. Read More Meg Harrell Registered Nurse and Nursing Educator I have taken so many rings off while working in an ER! First off, if your finger is getting discolored, the ring might be starting to cut off circulation of the finger. Sometimes, the more that you mess with it, the more inflamed it's going to get. At that point, you should go to the ER and they will need to just cut it off of you.If you still want to try to get it off at home, here are the things that I always suggest. One, butter or lard is a really good lubricant. Other lubricants won't really like get under the ring and make things slippery, so try using those on the finger. Also, hold your finger upright. Holding it up will drain the finger, while your finger facing downwards can cause more inflammation and swelling.Finally, there's a trick you can try where you wrap your finger with floss and then wrap it underneath. You put the piece of floss underneath the ring and then you start to pull it, and that force will start to pull the ring out with it. Good luck! Read More See all 10 Replies and Read Discussion
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Question How do you remove a tight ring from a swollen finger? Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) Jeweler Joseph Villarreal is a Gemologist and President of Villarreal Diamonds and Fine Jewelry based in Austin, Texas. With over 36 years of industry experience, Joseph and his team specialize in custom jewelry design, diamond sales, and consignment jewelry for private clientele. Joseph is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) with additional certifications in Diamond Grading and Gem Identification. Villarreal is also a member of Jewelers of America and is a Jewelers of America Certified Senior Management Professional. Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) Jeweler Expert Answer Believe it or not, one of the best ways is to hold your hand up over your head so the blood can flow down—that helps release the ring. Putting a cold compress on the finger can also help bring the swelling down and make the ring easier to pull off. 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 2 Helpful 3
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Things You’ll Need
Wrapping the Finger with Thread or Floss
Thin thread or waxy dental floss
Using Other Removal Techniques
Ice
Soapy water or cooking oil
Ring cutter
You Might Also Like
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about jewelry, check out our in-depth interview with Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA).
Co-authored by: Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) Jeweler This article was co-authored by Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Joseph Villarreal is a Gemologist and President of Villarreal Diamonds and Fine Jewelry based in Austin, Texas. With over 36 years of industry experience, Joseph and his team specialize in custom jewelry design, diamond sales, and consignment jewelry for private clientele. Joseph is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) with additional certifications in Diamond Grading and Gem Identification. Villarreal is also a member of Jewelers of America and is a Jewelers of America Certified Senior Management Professional. This article has been viewed 110,279 times. 5 votes - 80% Co-authors: 11Updated: November 15, 2025 Views: 110,279 Categories: Featured Articles | Rings In other languages Portuguese Japanese
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) Jeweler Co-authors: 11Updated: November 15, 2025 Views: 110,27980% of readers found this article helpful. 5 votes - 80% Click a star to add your vote
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Download Article Learn to smoothly remove a stuck ring from your finger Co-authored by Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) and Amber Crain 
WikiManateeLeaper902 I have unfortunately ended up in a situation where I can’t get a ring off of my finger. I tried to put one of my partner’s rings on my pinkie finger and it turned out to be way too small for my hand. I’m currently going nuts scared that I’m going to have to go to the doctor. Is there anything I can do to cut the ring off or make it expand a little? I think my finger is getting swollen which is making things worse and the ring just won’t come off. Read More 
Ighodalo Oribhabor Registered Nurse If someone has a ring that won’t come off, the first thing we do is try lubricants to reduce the friction and loosen the skin, like surgical lube or soap. We'll then try to gently slide the ring off without hurting the person. If that doesn’t work, and the procedure is urgent, we may have to cut the ring off. Read More 
Meg Harrell Registered Nurse and Nursing Educator I have taken so many rings off while working in an ER! First off, if your finger is getting discolored, the ring might be starting to cut off circulation of the finger. Sometimes, the more that you mess with it, the more inflamed it's going to get. At that point, you should go to the ER and they will need to just cut it off of you.If you still want to try to get it off at home, here are the things that I always suggest. One, butter or lard is a really good lubricant. Other lubricants won't really like get under the ring and make things slippery, so try using those on the finger. Also, hold your finger upright. Holding it up will drain the finger, while your finger facing downwards can cause more inflammation and swelling.Finally, there's a trick you can try where you wrap your finger with floss and then wrap it underneath. You put the piece of floss underneath the ring and then you start to pull it, and that force will start to pull the ring out with it. Good luck! Read More 
How toUse a Rubber Band to Unscrew Stripped Screws 
How toUntie Shoelace or String Knots 
Advertisement 
Co-authored by: Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) Jeweler This article was co-authored by Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) and by wikiHow staff writer, Amber Crain. Joseph Villarreal is a Gemologist and President of Villarreal Diamonds and Fine Jewelry based in Austin, Texas. With over 36 years of industry experience, Joseph and his team specialize in custom jewelry design, diamond sales, and consignment jewelry for private clientele. Joseph is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) with additional certifications in Diamond Grading and Gem Identification. Villarreal is also a member of Jewelers of America and is a Jewelers of America Certified Senior Management Professional. This article has been viewed 110,279 times. 5 votes - 80% Co-authors: 11 Updated: November 15, 2025 Views: 110,279 Categories: Featured Articles | Rings In other languages Portuguese Japanese 
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1 Select a thin piece of thread or dental floss for the job. Thin thread or dental floss will slide more easily underneath a stuck ring. The waxy surface of dental floss can make it even more useful in this situation. If you choose to use thread, make sure it’s thin but strong.[1] 
2 Position 1 end of the thread at your middle knuckle above the ring. Use your free hand to place the end of the thread or floss at the knuckle on the fingertip side of your finger. Wind the string around your knuckle once to get the wrapping process started. 
3 Wrap the thread around your finger from the knuckle to the ring's edge. The idea is to compress your skin close to the ring, so wind the thread tightly around your finger. Keep wrapping it around as you slowly move toward the ring. Make sure each wrap is directly next to the previous wrap. Stop wrapping once you reach the edge of the ring.[2] 
4 Slip the end of the string under the ring and pull it up on the other side. Now that your finger skin is compressed, you should be able to wedge the end of the thread under the ring and pass it through to the other side. Pull the thread up and toward your middle knuckle.[3] 
5 Unwrap the thread from this position to slowly to remove the ring. Pull the thread taut toward your knuckle and start unwinding the string. Each time you unwind 1 of the layers, the ring will move a little farther up the compressed skin of your finger. Keep unwinding the thread until you reach the starting point at your knuckle.[4] 
6 Pull the loosened ring completely off your finger. After unwinding the thread, you should be able to pull the ring completely off your finger. If the ring is still stuck, you may want to try another removal technique or seek emergency assistance.[5] Advertisement 
1 Elevate and ice the affected finger for 5-10 minutes to reduce swelling. Lift up your hand so the blood drains out of the affected area. Then, hold an ice pack to the finger for 5-10 minutes to help reduce the swelling around the ring. After 10 minutes, relax your hand and try to pull off the ring with your free hand.[6] 
2 Cut the ring off your finger with a ring cutter. You can get a ring cutter from a jewelry store, fire department, or emergency room. It’s best to let a professional cut the ring off your finger so that you don’t injure yourself, and newer ring cutters are now available that can cut all ring metals, including Titanium and Tungsten Carbide rings (the Ring Rescue Dolphin Ring Cutter). Keep in mind that the ring will be damaged if you cut through it.[7] 
3 Apply soapy water or olive oil and twist the ring as you pull it. Cover the skin around and underneath the ring with warm, soapy water or olive oil. Once the area is saturated, use your free hand to twist the ring clockwise and counterclockwise to loosen it up. Then, keep twisting as you gently try to pry the ring off.[8] 
Joseph R. Villarreal, G.G. (GIA) Jeweler Joseph Villarreal is a Gemologist and President of Villarreal Diamonds and Fine Jewelry based in Austin, Texas. With over 36 years of industry experience, Joseph and his team specialize in custom jewelry design, diamond sales, and consignment jewelry for private clientele. Joseph is a Graduate Gemologist from GIA (Gemological Institute of America) with additional certifications in Diamond Grading and Gem Identification. Villarreal is also a member of Jewelers of America and is a Jewelers of America Certified Senior Management Professional.