Ear Gauge Size Chart: mm, Inches and Jewelry Fit
Quick Answer
The most common ear piercing sizes are 20G or 18G for standard earrings, 16G or 14G for many cartilage and body jewelry placements, and 0G or 00G for stretched lobes. Gauge numbers get smaller as jewelry gets thicker; after 00G, sizing usually switches to millimeters or inches.
Key Takeaways
- Higher gauge numbers are thinner; lower gauge numbers are thicker.
- 20G and 18G are common for standard earrings and many small hoops or studs.
- 0G and 00G are stretched lobe sizes, not standard starter earring sizes.
- Stretching should be slow and comfortable; pain, tearing, swelling, or bleeding means you should stop and ask a professional piercer.
Ear gauge size chart
| Gauge | Millimeters | Inches | Common use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20G | 0.8 mm | 0.032″ | Standard earrings, small nose or ear jewelry |
| 18G | 1.0 mm | 0.040″ | Standard earrings, nose jewelry, small hoops |
| 16G | 1.2 mm | 0.047″ | Cartilage, labret, eyebrow, some ear jewelry |
| 14G | 1.6 mm | 0.063″ | Many body jewelry placements |
| 12G | 2.0 mm | 0.078″ | Early stretching sizes |
| 10G | 2.4 mm | 0.094″ | Stretched lobes |
| 8G | 3.2 mm | 0.125″ | Stretched lobes |
| 6G | 4.0 mm | 0.157″ | Stretched lobes |
| 4G | 5.0 mm | 0.197″ | Stretched lobes |
| 2G | 6.0 mm | 0.236″ | Stretched lobes |
| 0G | 8.0 mm | 0.315″ | Stretched lobes |
| 00G | 10.0 mm | 0.394″ | Stretched lobes |
| 7/16″ | 11.0 mm | 0.4375″ | Large plugs and tunnels |
| 1/2″ | 12.7 mm | 0.5″ | Large plugs and tunnels |
| 5/8″ | 16.0 mm | 0.625″ | Large plugs and tunnels |
| 3/4″ | 19.0 mm | 0.75″ | Large plugs and tunnels |
| 1″ | 25.4 mm | 1.0″ | Large plugs and tunnels |
How gauge numbers work
Gauge sizing can feel backwards: 20G is thinner than 18G, and 18G is thinner than 16G. Once stretched lobe jewelry gets larger than 00G, shops often list sizes in millimeters or inches instead of gauge numbers.
Common ear piercing sizes
Many standard earrings are 20G or 18G. Cartilage and other ear placements may use 18G, 16G, or another size depending on the piercing and jewelry style. If you are replacing jewelry, compare your current piece or ask a piercer before ordering.
Stretching safety note
Do not force jewelry into a piercing or stretch through pain. Slow stretching, comfortable fit, and fully healed tissue matter more than reaching the next size quickly. If you see tearing, bleeding, heat, swelling, or unusual discharge, stop and ask a professional piercer or qualified clinician.
What to buy after checking your size
After you know your size, compare jewelry by diameter, wearable area, flare style, and material wording. For related sizing, read the full body piercing gauge chart or browse ear jewelry.
FAQ
What size is 00G in mm?
00G is commonly listed as about 10 mm, or 0.394 inches. Some brands vary slightly, so always check the product page measurement before ordering plugs or tunnels.
Is 20G bigger than 18G?
No. 20G is thinner than 18G. In gauge sizing, smaller numbers mean thicker jewelry.
What gauge are standard earrings?
Many standard earrings are 20G or 18G, but exact sizing can vary by brand and jewelry type. Measure your current jewelry or ask a piercer if fit matters.
When do gauges switch to millimeters?
After 00G, many shops switch to millimeters or inches because stretched lobe sizes are easier to compare with direct diameter measurements.
How long should I wait before stretching to the next size?
Wait until the piercing feels fully settled and the next size moves in comfortably. Timelines vary by person, so a piercer can give better guidance than a fixed calendar rule.
Editorial note
Editorial note: This guide is for jewelry education and shopping support, not medical advice. For painful, swollen, torn, infected, or anatomy-specific piercings, consult a professional piercer or qualified clinician. Reviewed for sizing language, chart clarity, stretching caveats, and product-selection clarity.