piercing measurement
Measurement Systems
| System | Unit(s) used | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|
| Metric | Millimeters (mm) | All thickness, length, diameter, balls |
| Imperial | Gauges (ga) and inches (") | Wire/stem size |
We show both systems on all product pages online and in our printed catalog. For quick reference, use the conversion charts below:
| Gauges | Metric |
|---|---|
| 22ga - | 0.6mm |
| 20ga - | 0.8mm |
| 18ga - | 1.0mm |
| 16ga - | 1.2mm |
| 14ga - | 1.6mm |
| 12ga - | 2.0mm |
| 10ga - | 2.5mm |
| 8ga - | 3.2mm |
| 6ga - | 4.1mm |
| 4ga - | 5.1mm |
| 2ga - | 6.5mm |
| 0ga - | 8.2mm |
| 00ga - | 9.2mm |
| Metric | Inches |
|---|---|
| 4.5 mm | 3/16" |
| 6.0 mm | 7/32" |
| 7.0 mm | 9/32" |
| 8.0 mm | 5/16" |
| 9.0 mm | 11/32" |
| 10.0 mm | 13/32" |
| 11.2 mm | 7/16" |
| 12.0 mm | 15/32" |
| 14.0 mm | 9/16" |
| 15.0 mm | 19/32" |
| 16.0 mm | 5/8" |
| 18.0 mm | 11/16" |
| 19.0 mm | 3/4" |
| 20.0 mm | 25/32" |
| 22.0 mm | 7/8" |
| 24.0 mm | 15/16" |
| 25.0 mm | 1" |
| 26.0 mm | 1 1/32" |
| 29.0 mm | 1 5/32" |
| 30.0 mm | 1 3/16" |
| 32.0 mm | 1 9/32" |
| 34.0 mm | 1 11/32" |
| 35.0 mm | 1 13/32" |
| 36.0 mm | 1 7/16" |
| 38.0 mm | 1 1/2" |
| 40.0 mm | 1 19/32" |
| 44.0 mm | 1 25/32" |
| 50.0 mm | 2" |
| Metric | Inches |
|---|---|
| 2.0 mm | 5/64" |
| 2.5 mm | 3/32" |
| 3.0 mm | 1/8" |
| 4.0 mm | 5/32" |
| 5.0 mm | 3/16" |
| 6.0 mm | 1/4" |
| 8.0 mm | 5/16" |
| 10.0 mm | 3/8" |
| 12.0 mm | 1/2" |
How we measure piercings
- Thickness (wire size) in Red - shown in ga and mm (Example: 14GA (1.6MM)
- Length or internal diameter in Green - shown only in mm
- Ball / Attachments in Blue - shown only in mm. Refers to the size of the decorative or functional end
Piercing Rings -> measured by internal diameter
Septum Clickers -> Measured by pin thickness and internal height
Straight & Curved Barbells -> Measured by the linear width between ball to ball (not including ball size)
General Sizing Guidelines (Thickness)
| Piercing Type | Common Thickness (mm) |
|---|---|
| Ear stud pins & hoops | 0.8 mm |
| Nose piercings | 0.8 mm or 1.0 mm |
| Eyebrow piercings | 1.2 mm |
| Labrets | Most common 1.2 mm; also 1.0 mm and 1.6 mm |
| Threadless (TL) Labrets | 0.8 mm |
| Septum, Conch, Rook, Daith | Most common 1.2 mm |
| Industrial barbell, Nipple, Tongue, Navel | 1.6 mm is standard for most piercers |
Internal Threading System
| Wire / Stem Size | Internal Thread Size |
|---|---|
| 1.6 mm | 1.2 mm |
| 1.2 mm | 0.8 mm |
| 1.0 mm | 0.8 mm |
Attachments are compatible across our entire collection within these standards.
Note: 0.8 mm internal thread is the standard for most European suppliers. Some USA suppliers use 0.9 mm as standard. If you are not sure, please check with your supplier or contact us.
Threadless (TL) System
Our Threadless posts have a 0.5 mm hole. They hold slightly thinner, pre-bent Threadless attachment pins firmly in place.
This allows us to offer Labrets, Micro Barbells, Barbells, Nose pins and others from size 0.8mm upwards. These sizes are widely used in the professional piercing industry.
