07 Mar

Body Jewelry Gauge Size Chart (Complete Guide)

If you're shopping for body jewelry, you’ve probably seen sizes like 16G, 14G, or 00G and wondered what they mean. Understanding body jewelry sizes is important when choosing jewelry that fits comfortably and safely.

In body jewelry, the gauge (G) refers to the thickness of the jewelry post or bar that goes through the piercing. The smaller the gauge number, the thicker the jewelry.

Once jewelry reaches 00G, sizing usually switches from gauge numbers to inch measurements used for plugs and tunnels.

      Example:
      20G is thinner than 18G
18G is thinner than 16G
16G is thinner than 14G

    

Body Jewelry Gauge Size Chart

Gauge / Size	Millimeters (mm)	Inches
22G	0.6 mm	0.024"
20G	0.8 mm	0.031"
18G	1.0 mm	0.039"
16G	1.2 mm	0.047"
14G	1.6 mm	0.063"
12G	2.0 mm	0.079"
10G	2.5 mm	0.098"
8G	3.2 mm	0.126"
6G	4.0 mm	0.157"
4G	5.0 mm	0.197"
7/32"	5.5 mm	0.217"
2G	6.0 mm	0.236"
9/32"	7.0 mm	0.276"
1G	7.0 mm	0.276"
0G	8.0 mm	0.315"
11/32"	9.0 mm	0.354"
00G	10 mm	0.394"
7/16"	11 mm	0.433"
1/2"	12 mm	0.472"
33/64"	13 mm	0.512"
9/16"	14 mm	0.551"
19/32"	15 mm	0.591"
5/8"	16 mm	0.630"
43/64"	17 mm	0.669"
11/16"	18 mm	0.709"
3/4"	19 mm	0.748"
25/32"	20 mm	0.787"
53/64"	21 mm	0.827"
7/8"	22 mm	0.866"
29/32"	23 mm	0.906"
15/16"	24 mm	0.945"
1"	25 mm	0.984"

Why Gauge Size Matters

Choosing the correct jewelry size helps keep piercings comfortable and healthy. Jewelry that is too thick may irritate a piercing, while jewelry that is too thin may move excessively. Fresh piercings are done using a specific gauge chosen by the piercer, so wearing the correct size helps maintain the piercing shape.

      Most Common Gauge Sizes by Piercing
      
Earlobe Piercing – 20G or 18G

Cartilage Piercings – 16G

Nose Piercings – 20G or 18G

Lip and Labret Piercings – 16G

Eyebrow Piercing – 16G

Belly Button Piercing – 14G

Tongue Piercing – 14G

Industrial Piercing – 14G

      Gauge vs Diameter vs Length
      
          Gauge refers to the thickness of the jewelry post.
        
          Diameter measures the inside width of rings or hoops.
        
          Length measures the distance between the ends of
          straight jewelry like barbells or labret studs.

Ear Stretching and Intermediate Sizes

Intermediate sizes such as 7 mm, 9 mm, 11 mm, 13 mm, 15 mm, and 17 mm help make stretching safer by reducing pressure on the piercing. Stretching should always be done gradually with enough healing time between sizes.

Best Materials for Body Jewelry

Surgical Steel – Durable and widely used
Titanium – Lightweight and ideal for sensitive skin
Gold – Premium jewelry option
Glass – Smooth and often used for stretching
Natural Stone – Popular for plugs and tunnels

Final Thoughts

Understanding body jewelry gauge sizes makes it easier to choose jewelry that fits comfortably and safely. Always check the gauge, diameter, and length before purchasing jewelry to ensure the best fit.