A Guide to Piercing King Sizing: Decoding the Numbers
We want your shopping experience to be as smooth as our high-polish steel! We’ve noticed a few questions popping up about the numbers in our products—like 16 Gauge x 8mm x 3mm.
While every body is unique and we always recommend visiting your local professional piercer to find your perfect fit, we can certainly help you decode our sizing format so you can shop with confidence.
The Golden Rule of Gauging
Before we dive into the specific formats, remember the most important rule of body jewellery: The bigger the number, the thinner the post.
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A 20 Gauge nose stud is much thinner than a 14 Gauge belly ring.
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Most standard piercings use a 14 Gauge, 16 Gauge or 18 Gauge post.
Labrets
Getting to know the labret:
A labret is a type of jewellery made up of a flat back disk, a straight post, and a decorative top (like a gem or ball). The flat back sits comfortably against the skin, making it a popular choice for many ear piercings and lip and ear piercings.
Format: Gauge x Length x Gem Size (Rise)
Example: 16 Gauge x 8mm x 3mm (2.5mm)
When you see three sets of numbers on our labret studs, here is the order they follow:
- 16 Gauge (Thickness): The thickness of the post—the part that goes through your piercing.
- 8mm (Length): This is the "wearable length" of the post (the distance between the flat back and the ball).
- 3mm (Gem Size): The diameter of the decorative gem or ball on top.
- Optional (2.5mm): If you see a number in brackets, it refers to the diameter of the disk on the base.
Belly Rings
Getting to know the belly ring: A belly ring (or navel curved barbell) typically consists of a curved barbell designed to fit the natural contour of the navel. It features a decorative top ball and a larger bottom ball—or a decorative charm—that sits nestled within the navel.
Format: Gauge x Length x Ball Sizes
Example: 14 Gauge x 10mm x 5&8mm
When you see these measurements on our belly rings, here is the order they follow:
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14 Gauge (Thickness): This refers to the thickness of the curved bar. 14 gauge is the industry standard for most navel piercings.
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10mm (Length): This is the distance between the two balls, measured in a straight line. While 10mm is standard length for healed piercings, 12mm is more common for initial piercing.
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5&8mm (Ball Sizes): This tells you the diameter of both decorative ends! The first number (5mm) is the size of the top screw-on ball, and the second number (8mm) is the size of the bottom ball or fixed charm.
Hoops & Circular Barbells (CBB)
Getting to know hoops & CBBs: Hoops (like seamless rings, CBRs or segment rings) and Circular Barbells (CBBs, often called horseshoes) are circular pieces of jewellery. Unlike studs, their main measurement is the space inside the circle. CBBs feature two removable decorative ends (like balls or gems) that screw onto the posts.
Format: Gauge x Internal Diameter x Ball Size
Example: 16 Gauge x 10mm x 3mm
When you see these measurements on our hoops and CBBs, here is the order they follow:
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16 Gauge (Thickness): This is the thickness of the metal that forms the ring or the barbell.
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10mm (Internal Diameter): This is the crucial measurement! For hoops and CBBs, the middle number always refers to the distance across the inside of the ring, not the outside. Knowing the internal diameter helps ensure the hoop fits snugly or has the desired "drop" in placements like a septum, daith, or helix.
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3mm (Ball Size): This tells you the diameter of the decorative balls or gems that screw onto the ends of a Circular Barbell.
Quick Reference: Common Sizes at a Glance
Need a starting point? Here are the measurements most commonly used for different placements:
| Placement | Common Gauge | Standard Length/Diameter |
| Cartilage (Helix/Tragus) | 16 or 18 Gauge | 6mm or 8mm |
| Belly | 14 Gauge | 10mm for healed, 12mm for initial piercing |
| Labret (Lip) | 16 Gauge | 8mm for labret, 6mm for monroe |
| Nose | 18 or 20 Gauge | 6mm - 7mm |
| Nipple | 14 Gauge | 12mm - 16mm |
| Industrial |
14 Gauge
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32mm - 38mm |
| Conch |
16 Gauge
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Hoop: 12mm to 16mm Barbell: 6mm |
Materials Matter
Beyond the size, the material is just as important for a comfortable fit:
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ASTM F-136 Titanium: Highly biocompatible and nickel-free—the top choice for sensitive skin.
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316L Surgical Steel: A high-polish, durable favourite for daily wear.
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Bio-Flex: A flexible, medical-grade material that can be cut to your perfect length for a truly custom fit.
- 14 Karat Gold: Strong enough to withstand daily wear while remaining biocompatible and gentle on healing or sensitive skin.
Still have questions? Check out our full Body Jewellery Information Page for more details on materials and types!
