Quick answer: wrap a strip of paper or a soft tape measure around your wrist just below the wrist bone, mark where it overlaps, and measure the length against a ruler. Then add 1.5–2 cm to that measurement for a comfortable bracelet fit. Most bracelets sold in the UK are between 16 cm and 21 cm long.
Buying a bracelet online is easy — until you start wondering whether it will actually fit. Too tight and it digs in; too loose and it slides over your hand. The good news is that finding your bracelet size takes about two minutes and needs nothing more than a strip of paper and a ruler. Here's exactly how to do it.
How do you measure your wrist for a bracelet?
- Find the right spot. Measure just below the wrist bone (the knobbly bit on the outside of your wrist), where a bracelet naturally sits.
- Wrap something flexible around it. A soft tape measure is ideal. No tape measure? Use a strip of paper or a piece of string.
- Keep it snug but not tight. The tape should sit flat against your skin without squeezing.
- Mark and measure. Mark where the end overlaps, then lay the paper or string flat against a ruler.
That number is your wrist size — not your bracelet size. A bracelet the exact length of your wrist would have no room to move, so you add a little extra depending on how you like it to fit.
What size bracelet should you buy?
For a standard comfortable fit, add 1.5–2 cm to your wrist measurement. This chart does the maths for you:
| Your wrist measures | In inches | Suggested bracelet length |
|---|---|---|
| 14 cm | 5.5" | 15.5–16 cm |
| 15 cm | 5.9" | 16.5–17 cm |
| 16 cm | 6.3" | 17.5–18 cm |
| 17 cm | 6.7" | 18.5–19 cm |
| 18 cm | 7.1" | 19.5–20 cm |
| 19 cm | 7.5" | 20.5–21 cm |
How should a bracelet fit?
Fit is partly personal preference. Use this as a rule of thumb:
| Fit | Add to wrist size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Snug | +1 cm | Fine chains and delicate bracelets you barely notice |
| Classic | +1.5–2 cm | Most bracelets — moves a little, stays in place |
| Loose | +2.5 cm | Chunky styles and stacking several bracelets together |
A quick test once it's on: you should be able to slide one finger between the bracelet and your wrist. If two fingers fit easily, it's on the loose side; if you can't fit a finger at all, it's too tight.
Do tennis bracelets fit differently?
A tennis bracelet — a continuous line of stones in a flexible setting — looks best fitted slightly closer than a chain bracelet, because the stones should face upwards rather than spinning around your wrist. The one-finger test is the standard here: snug enough to keep the stones on show, loose enough to slide a single finger underneath. Our Moissanite Tennis Bracelet in 925 sterling silver is a classic example of the style.
How do you measure for a bangle?
Bangles are different: they don't open, so they need to fit over the widest part of your hand rather than your wrist. To measure, tuck your thumb across your palm towards your little finger — as if squeezing your hand through a tight sleeve — then measure around the widest part of your hand, across the knuckles and thumb joint. That's the minimum circumference a bangle needs to pass over. To find the diameter a bangle listing quotes, divide that circumference by 3.14.
What if you're buying a gift and can't measure their wrist?
An adjustable bracelet is the safest choice — a sliding clasp or extender chain covers a range of wrist sizes, so there's no guesswork. The Pearl Whisper freshwater pearl bracelet and the Yellow Moissanite Star Bracelet are both adjustable, which makes them easy to give with confidence. Two other tricks: borrow a bracelet they already wear and measure it flat from end to end, or check whether the style you're eyeing comes with an extender.
The two-minute takeaway
- Measure your wrist just below the wrist bone with paper, string or a soft tape.
- Add 1.5–2 cm for a standard comfortable fit (+1 cm snug, +2.5 cm loose).
- Bangles: measure over the knuckles with your thumb tucked in, not around your wrist.
- Tennis bracelets: aim for the one-finger fit so the stones stay facing up.
- Buying a gift? Choose an adjustable style and skip the guesswork.
Ready to put your new measurement to use? Browse the full Micoryan bracelet collection — from freshwater pearls to moissanite tennis bracelets, in sizes and adjustable styles to suit every wrist.