Measure your wrist first, then compare the bracelet length and the space you want for movement. Wrist circumference, bracelet length and design width are separate measurements.
Measure Your Wrist
Wrap a soft tape around the wrist where you want to wear the bracelet. Keep it level without pulling tightly. If using a strip of paper or string, mark the overlap and measure the marked length with a ruler.
Choose a Fit Allowance
Bracelet length = wrist circumference + your preferred allowance. As a starting reference, about 0.5 cm gives less room, 1.0–1.5 cm gives more room, and about 2.0 cm gives a looser drape. The setting, link thickness and your preference can change the fit; these are not guaranteed comfort measurements.
Calculated Length References
The table shows example wrist measurements with a 1.0–1.5 cm allowance. It does not recommend one fixed retail size for an entire wrist range. One inch equals 2.54 cm.
| Wrist (cm) | Wrist (in) | Target length (cm) | Target length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14.0 | 5.51 | 15.0–15.5 | 5.91–6.10 |
| 15.0 | 5.91 | 16.0–16.5 | 6.30–6.50 |
| 16.0 | 6.30 | 17.0–17.5 | 6.69–6.89 |
| 17.0 | 6.69 | 18.0–18.5 | 7.09–7.28 |
| 18.0 | 7.09 | 19.0–19.5 | 7.48–7.68 |
| 19.0 | 7.48 | 20.0–20.5 | 7.87–8.07 |
| 20.0 | 7.87 | 21.0–21.5 | 8.27–8.46 |
| 21.0 | 8.27 | 22.0–22.5 | 8.66–8.86 |
Compare the Available Product Lengths
Check the lengths actually offered for the selected bracelet. Convert the listed length to centimeters and subtract your wrist measurement to see the resulting allowance. If a calculated target falls between available lengths, compare the fit you prefer rather than assuming the larger size is always right.
For example, a 6-inch bracelet is 15.24 cm long. On a 15 cm wrist, that leaves 0.24 cm. A 6.5-inch bracelet is 16.51 cm long and leaves 1.51 cm, approximately the upper end of the reference allowance. These examples do not mean every bracelet is available in both lengths.
Gifts and Different Designs
For a gift, a measured bracelet the recipient already wears is a better reference than a universal safe size. Confirm the design and the sizing system before ordering, particularly for wide links, rigid shapes or custom pieces.
Compare bracelet designs or use the chain size guide when a listing also offers necklace lengths.