How to Measure Bangle Size at Home

Bangles are the piece of jewellery where size matters most. Unlike a bracelet, a bangle has no clasp, so it must slide over the widest part of your hand and then sit comfortably. Here is how to measure.

Why bangle size is different

A bracelet adjusts to your wrist. A bangle does not. It has to fit over the knuckles and the base of the thumb, where the hand is widest, while still being snug enough on the wrist not to slide off. Getting the size right avoids bangles that are too tight to wear or too loose to keep.

Method 1: measure a bangle that fits

This is the easiest and the most reliable.

1. Choose a bangle you wear comfortably, that passes over your hand without pain.
2. Lay it on a flat surface and measure the inside diameter, the distance across the opening from one inner edge to the opposite inner edge, using a ruler in millimetres or inches.
3. Measure in two directions and use the larger figure.
4. Give this number to the jeweller, who will match it to their size.

Method 2: measure your hand

1. Put your thumb against your little finger, as if you were putting on a bangle, so that your hand is as narrow as possible.
2. Wrap a soft tape measure or a piece of string around the widest part of your hand, around the knuckles and the base of the thumb.
3. Mark where the string meets, and measure it.
4. Divide that measurement by 3.14 (pi) to get the diameter your bangle's opening must be at least.

For example, if the string measures 20 cm, the diameter needed is about 6.4 cm. Choose a bangle with an inside diameter at or slightly above that.

Understand the sizes used in shops

Bangle sizes in India are often given as numbers such as 2.2, 2.4, 2.6 and 2.8, which refer to the inside diameter in a traditional system. Shops can differ in how they label sizes, so ask what each size means in millimetres or inches. This is the sure way to compare.

Things that affect the fit

• Your hand's shape: a wide hand with a slim wrist needs a larger bangle than the wrist alone suggests, which may sit loosely on the wrist.
• Time of day and temperature: hands swell in heat and shrink in cold.
• Wearing several bangles: you may need a slightly larger size, since bangles stack.
• Style: an open bangle or a cuff is more forgiving.

Options if your hand is wide and your wrist is slim

• Choose an open-ended bangle or a cuff that can be adjusted.
• Choose a hinged bangle with a clasp.
• Choose an adjustable design, such as one with a screw or a flexible section.

Ordering by size

If you are ordering online, check the size guide and the measurement of the inside diameter in the listing. A bangle that cannot be resized should be ordered with extra care. See buying jewellery online safely in India.

Common questions

Can a bangle be resized? Plain gold bangles can sometimes be resized, though it depends on the design and the stones. Ask before buying.

What if my bangle is slightly loose? A looser bangle is often fine for plain styles, though it may slide and knock.

Is a wrist or hand measurement better? Use the hand measurement, since that is what the bangle must pass.

Choose with confidence

See our bangles and bracelets, or book an appointment to have your size measured.