Piercing Jewellery Size & Gauge Guide
Not sure what size to order? This guide covers the two numbers that matter for every piece of body jewellery: the gauge (thickness of the bar) and the length or diameter (how long the bar is, or how wide the ring is). All LikeSpikes product pages list both.
Gauge to millimetres
| Gauge | Thickness | Commonly used for |
|---|---|---|
| 20G | 0.8mm | Nose studs, ear lobes |
| 18G | 1.0mm | Nose studs and rings, ear lobes |
| 16G | 1.2mm | Cartilage, tragus, helix, septum, eyebrow, lip |
| 14G | 1.6mm | Navel, tongue, nipple, septum, industrial |
| 12G | 2.0mm | Stretched piercings |
| 10G | 2.4mm | Stretched piercings |
| 8G | 3.2mm | Stretched piercings, plugs and tunnels |
Bigger gauge number = thinner bar. If you are replacing jewellery you already wear comfortably, match its gauge exactly.
How to measure
- Barbells, labrets and studs: length is the wearable bar between the ends – balls and gems are not included.
- Rings (BCRs, segment rings, clickers): the size is the inside diameter of the ring.
- Balls and attachments: measured across their widest point.
- The easiest method: measure jewellery you already own with a ruler, in millimetres.
Typical starting sizes by piercing
| Piercing | Common gauge | Common length / diameter |
|---|---|---|
| Nostril | 20G–18G | 6–7mm |
| Septum | 16G–14G | 8–10mm diameter |
| Ear lobe | 20G–18G | 6–8mm |
| Cartilage / tragus / helix | 16G | 6–8mm |
| Eyebrow | 16G | 8mm |
| Lip / labret | 16G | 8mm |
| Tongue | 14G | 16mm |
| Navel (belly) | 14G | 10mm |
| Nipple | 14G | 12–14mm |
| Industrial | 14G | 32–38mm |
These are common defaults, not rules – anatomy varies and a healing piercing is usually fitted longer than a healed one. When in doubt, match what your piercer fitted, or ask us.
Shop by size
Every product page on LikeSpikes lists the exact gauge, length and ball size of each option in the size table, and most designs come in several sizes. Start from the full body jewellery range or see the piercing aftercare guide for healing-time information.
