Differences in Width Between Morning and Night! Important Considerations When Choosing a Ring Size

2021.06.22 published

What size should the ring be?

The "size" of wedding and engagement rings is an important point that affects comfort.

If it's too big, it might slip off or rub against adjacent fingers, which can be annoying.

Conversely, if it's too small, it can feel tight, and if your fingers swell even slightly, it may not fit or could become stuck.

Since we'd like to wear it even decades later, we want to choose the right size carefully...!

@mio_im

In this article, we will introduce points to consider when choosing a ring size.

Think about it from various angles and select your optimal size♡

Points for Choosing Ring Size ① Fingers Tend to Swell in the Morning

Generally, the body tends to swell in the morning and at night (not just fingers, but the whole body!), so it’s recommended to measure your ring size between noon and evening.

So, when planning to visit a ring shop, schedule your visit for midday to afternoon.

If you have a ring gauge at home, measuring your size in the morning, noon, and evening will help you find just the right size, and it's quite handy.

By the way, you can purchase a ring gauge on Rakuten for 320 yen (with free shipping), so I think it’s worth buying one just in case.♩

➡Purchase Page for Ring Gauge

Points for Choosing Ring Size ② Summer Causes More Swelling

The thickness of fingers can change slightly depending on the season.

In summer, blood flow improves, causing blood vessels to expand, making fingers slightly thicker, while they tighten in winter, making them a bit thinner.

(It's rare for the change to be more than one size; you may just feel that they are a little thicker (or thinner).)

Therefore, if you visit in summer and think, "Maybe it's a little small?" it might fit perfectly in winter, and if you think "Maybe it's a little small?" in winter, there's a chance your fingers might swell in summer and become unable to fit.

When visiting in winter, it might be a good idea to choose a size that's slightly larger (about 0.5 sizes larger).

@misamisa24

Points for Choosing Ring Size ③ When to Measure for Swelling?

When going to choose a ring, it’s also important to understand if your fingers are currently swollen or not.

The following situations might indicate your fingers are swollen, so keep in mind that “I might be swollen right now…”.

✅ After drinking a lot of water

✅ The day after drinking alcohol

✅ Upon waking up in the morning

✅ When sleep-deprived

✅ After consuming a high-salt meal

✅ When the body or fingertips are cold

If you think, "I'm going to look at rings today, but I may be swollen because I drank a lot of alcohol yesterday…", it’s recommended to do a finger massage before heading out!＊

【Massage Video】

Points for Choosing Ring Size ④ Will You Wear the Ring Daily?

When choosing a ring size, it’s good to consider whether you plan to wear it regularly.

For example, with an engagement ring.

If you plan to take it off during work or housework, it’s advisable to select a slightly larger size to make it easier to take on and off and to accommodate any swelling.

Conversely, if it’s for a wedding ring and you think, "I plan to keep it on all the time!" then since it won’t concern you much if it swells, it’s best to choose a perfect fit.♩

@t.kana_wedding._.g

Points for Choosing Ring Size ⑤ About Pregnancy and Childbirth

Generally, fingers tend to swell during pregnancy. After childbirth, some people return to their pre-pregnancy body type, some lose weight, and some do not return to their pre-pregnancy figure, so it's not universally applicable…!

However, it’s good to keep in mind that “changes in the body from pregnancy and childbirth may lead to the ring no longer fitting.”

Points for Choosing Ring Size ⑥ If the Choice is Between a Smaller or Larger Size?

If the choice is between "Size 7 is a bit small, and Size 9 is a bit large (Size 8 is not available)", I would choose the slightly larger Size 9.

The reason for this is that, in life, it feels more likely that one could gain weight rather than lose it.

If the ring purchased for the ring finger becomes too small,

✅ You can only wear it on the left or right pinky finger, while if the ring is too large,

✅ You could potentially wear it on your left middle finger, left index finger, right index finger, right middle finger, or right ring finger.

(For right-handed people, the dominant hand usually has thicker fingers, so if it’s a bit large for the left ring finger, it often fits perfectly on the right ring finger.)

@2020maybride

If the ring is small, options will be limited to wearing it on the pinky if your fingers swell or thicken, but with a larger ring, you’ll have more options of fingers that might fit, such as the index finger, middle finger, or right ring finger.

Also, if your fingers become larger, there’s a technique (or secret?) to layer a perfectly fitting ring above it to prevent it from falling off.

Points for Choosing Ring Size ⑦ About Size Adjustments

If your ring becomes too large or too small, some stores offer "size adjustments," so it’s reassuring to choose brands with established size adjustment policies.*

✅ Check if adjustments are possible

(Note, full eternity rings often cannot be resized, so be sure to check.)

✅ Adjustment fees

✅ Duration for adjustments

(Some may have rules like free adjustments within three years and charges after the fourth year.)

It's good to confirm these things in advance♩

@haruno45

To Avoid Regrets About Ring Size＊

Ideally, we want to wear our wedding rings on the left ring finger for a lifetime.

It’s possible that changes in body shape or lifestyle might make wearing it difficult, but when choosing a ring, we want to take different situations into account and select the optimal size.

If I were to decide on a size at a ring shop, I would go in the afternoon when my fingers aren’t swollen and aim to choose the perfect size that’s just slightly roomy (not too loose but goes on smoothly without any catching).＊

@tocco.wedding