Ear Gauge Size Chart: MM, Inches and Size Order

An ear gauge size chart helps you compare the three systems used to label stretched-ear jewelry: gauge numbers, millimeters, and fractions of an inch. The gauge scale runs backward, so a smaller number means a larger diameter. For example, 8g is larger than 10g, while 0g is larger than 2g.

The system changes after 00g. Larger plugs and tunnels are normally labeled in millimeters or fractions of an inch, which are easier to follow because their numbers increase with size.

Safety Note Before You Stretch A chart is useful for identifying jewelry, but it should not be treated as a stretching timetable. Earlobes must be fully healed and ready before moving to another diameter. Jewelry should never be forced through resistance, and the correct next step may be a half size rather than the next widely sold gauge.

Ear Sizes at a Glance

Common lobe jewelry begins around 20g or 18g. Stretching sizes then progress toward lower gauge numbers:

20g → 18g → 16g → 14g → 12g → 10g → 8g → 6g → 4g → 2g → 1g → 0g → 00g

After 00g, sizes are usually listed like this:

11 mm → 12 mm → 14 mm → 16 mm → 18 mm → 19 mm → 22 mm → 25 mm

Not every retailer stocks all of these measurements. In particular, 1g, 7 mm, and 9 mm are sometimes called half sizes because they sit between more widely sold gauge steps.

Ascending row of ear gauge plugs from small piercing gauges up to large diameter plugs — Visual progression of ear stretching jewelry from standard gauge sizes to larger millimetric diameters.

Complete Ear Gauge Size Chart

Small-size inch values are shown as decimals because common fractions would be less precise. For larger sizes, the table includes the fractional-inch labels typically used by jewelry sellers.

Gauge or Inch Label	Common Metric Diameter	Decimal Inches
20g	0.8 mm	0.031 in
18g	1.0 mm	0.039 in
16g	1.2 mm	0.047 in
14g	1.6 mm	0.063 in
12g	2.0 mm	0.079 in
10g	2.4 to 2.5 mm	0.094 to 0.098 in
8g	3.0 to 3.2 mm	0.118 to 0.126 in
6g	4.0 mm	0.157 in
4g	5.0 mm	0.197 in
2g	6.0 mm	0.236 in
1g (half size)	7.0 mm	0.276 in
0g	8.0 mm	0.315 in
00g	9.0 to 10.0 mm	0.354 to 0.394 in
7/16 in	About 11 mm	0.438 in
1/2 in	About 12 to 13 mm	0.5 in
9/16 in	About 14 mm	0.563 in
5/8 in	About 16 mm	0.625 in
11/16 in	About 18 mm	0.688 in
3/4 in	About 19 mm	0.75 in
7/8 in	About 22 mm	0.875 in
1 in	25 to 25.4 mm	1 in

Important Buying Note: These are nominal jewelry sizes. A product labeled 1/2 inch may be manufactured as 12 mm rather than the mathematically exact 12.7 mm. Always check the seller’s listed millimeter diameter before ordering.

How to Read the Backward Gauge Scale

The gauge system was not created specifically for stretched ears. It developed from methods of classifying wire thickness, and body jewelry adopted the same reverse numbering pattern.

This is why moving to a lower gauge number means increasing the diameter:

16g is approximately 1.2 mm.
14g is approximately 1.6 mm.
12g is approximately 2 mm.
10g is approximately 2.5 mm.
8g is approximately 3.2 mm.

The sequence continues to 0g and 00g. It does not work like a normal numbered scale, and descriptions such as “go up one gauge” can be misunderstood. It is clearer to state the exact starting and target measurements, such as “6 mm to 7 mm.”

Once jewelry reaches sizes above 00g, metric and fractional-inch labels replace gauge numbers because continuing the gauge notation would become increasingly confusing.

Size Jumps Are Not Equal

Moving from one printed gauge number to the next does not always produce the same increase in diameter.

Gauge Change	Approximate Increase
18g to 16g	0.2 mm
16g to 14g	0.4 mm
14g to 12g	0.4 mm
12g to 10g	0.4 to 0.5 mm
10g to 8g	About 0.6 to 0.8 mm
8g to 6g	About 0.8 to 1 mm
6g to 4g	1 mm
4g to 2g	1 mm
2g to 0g	2 mm (Major Jump!)

The Critical 2g to 0g Leap The 2g-to-0g jump is a clear example of why reading only the gauge labels can be misleading. Moving directly from 6 mm to 8 mm is a 2 mm increase. A 7 mm size (1g) provides a much safer, more gradual intermediate option.

A similar issue occurs around 00g. Depending on the manufacturer, 00g may mean 9 mm or 10 mm. A person wearing 8 mm jewelry should confirm the exact next measurement instead of buying something based only on the 00g label.

Why Millimeters Are Better for Planning

Millimeters show the actual diameter directly. There is no reverse scale to decode, and intermediate sizes are easier to recognize.

Suppose you are wearing 6 mm plugs. A listing for 0g may indicate 8 mm, while a 7 mm plug provides a smaller step. The metric labels make that difference immediately visible.

Millimeters also reduce problems caused by inconsistent conversions. Some retailers describe 8g as 3 mm, while others use 3.2 mm. Both may be sold under the same gauge label, but they are not identical in diameter.

When comparing jewelry:

Check the exact metric diameter.
Confirm the wearable area.
Look at the flare measurements.
Verify whether the product is sold individually or as a pair.
Avoid assuming that gauge labels are identical across brands.

An ear gauge size chart is most reliable when gauge numbers are treated as reference labels and millimeters are used for the final comparison.

Finding Your Current Plug or Tunnel Size

The safest way to identify an unknown size is to have a professional piercer measure the jewelry. Studios may use digital calipers, sizing cards, or gauge wheels designed for body jewelry.

If you are measuring removable jewelry at home, use a clean digital caliper across the wearable shaft. Do not measure across the front face or flare because those sections are wider than the part that sits inside the piercing.

Diameter

The thickness of the wearable shaft sitting directly in the earlobe channel.

Wearable Area

The functional length between flares that rests comfortably inside the lobe tissue.

Flare Diameter

The widest lip portion at either end that keeps the jewelry in place.

For a tunnel, measure the solid outer wall from edge to edge across the center. Do not measure the empty opening inside the tunnel.

A ruler is usually too imprecise for smaller sizes. The difference between neighboring sizes may be less than one millimeter.

Safety Warning: Do not remove jewelry from a fresh, irritated, or recently stretched piercing simply to measure it. A piercer can determine whether removal is appropriate.

Plug Styles and Their Sizing Differences

Two plugs with the same stated diameter may fit differently because of their flare and wearable design.

Comparison of three ear stretching jewelry styles: single-flare with o-ring, solid double-flare, and screw-fit tunnel — Left to right: Single-flare glass plug with O-ring, solid double-flare steel plug, and threaded screw-fit tunnel.

Single-Flare Plugs

A single-flare plug has one fixed wider end and usually uses an O-ring on the other side. The wearable shaft remains close to the stated size, making this style easier to insert without passing a large flare through the piercing.

Single-flare or non-flared jewelry is commonly preferred for a fresh stretch because the wearable section does not require the tissue to expand over a second flare.

Double-Flare Plugs

A double-flare plug has a wider edge on both sides and a narrower wearable section in the middle. The lobe must be flexible enough to pass over the flare, which may be noticeably larger than the labeled wearable diameter.

A 10 mm double-flare plug is intended for a 10 mm channel, but its flare may be 11 or 12 mm. It should not be forced into a newly stretched or tight lobe.

Screw-Fit Tunnels

Some tunnels separate into two threaded pieces. This allows insertion without pushing a large flare through the tissue. Check that the threads do not scrape the piercing and that the two sections close without gaps.

The listed size normally refers to the wearable diameter, not the outside face or decorative rim.

Moving to the Next Size

A chart shows numerical order, not whether your ears are ready. Tissue response matters more than reaching a target date.

Before considering another size, the lobe should be settled and comfortable. The existing jewelry should move without pain, persistent tightness, swelling, or discharge. Even then, the next piece should enter without force.

Stop immediately if insertion causes:

Sharp pain
Strong resistance
Bleeding
Sudden swelling
Tearing
Tissue pushed outward
A hot or throbbing sensation

These are not signs of a successful stretch. They indicate that the tissue may be unready or injured.

There is no schedule that works for every person. Healing history, scar tissue, circulation, previous stretching methods, jewelry weight, and the size of the increase all affect readiness. A professional piercer can assess the lobe and recommend a smaller increment when necessary.

Materials for Newly Stretched Lobes

Jewelry used during a stretch should have a smooth, nonporous surface and an accurate diameter. Rough finishes, scratches, seams, and porous materials can irritate vulnerable tissue.

Safe ear stretching materials: clear glass plugs, titanium tunnels, and organic jojoba oil dropper bottle — Smooth, non-porous materials such as single-flare glass and certified implant-grade metals are ideal for newly stretched lobes.

Single-flare glass and verified implant-quality metals are commonly selected because they can be manufactured with smooth wearable surfaces. Jewelry quality still varies, so material descriptions and finish should be evaluated carefully.

Wood, horn, bone, silicone, and some stone pieces may be suitable for established stretched lobes under appropriate conditions, but they are not automatically appropriate for a fresh stretch. Natural materials can vary in porosity, finish, and sensitivity to water.

Heavy hangers and ear weights are decorative jewelry, not stretching tools. Their weight is concentrated on the lower part of the lobe and can contribute to uneven thinning when worn for long periods.

Can Stretched Earlobes Shrink?

Stretched lobes may tighten when jewelry is removed, but the amount is unpredictable. Size, stretching history, scar tissue, elasticity, age, and how long the lobe remained at its largest diameter can all affect shrinkage.

There is no dependable “point of no return” that applies to everyone. One person’s lobes may reduce considerably after a certain size, while another person’s may remain visibly open at a smaller measurement.

If maintaining the piercing matters, avoid leaving jewelry out for extended periods without understanding how quickly your tissue contracts. If you want to reduce a stretched opening, a piercer can discuss downsizing and jewelry options. Surgical correction requires consultation with a qualified medical professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the smallest ear gauge size? ▾

Conventional lobe jewelry is often around 20g or 18g, which corresponds to approximately 0.8 or 1 mm. A person’s actual starting point depends on the jewelry and how the piercing was performed, so the current size should be measured before stretching.

What size comes after 2g? ▾

A widely sold next size is 0g, or about 8 mm, but moving directly from 2g at 6 mm to 0g creates a 2 mm increase. A 1g or 7 mm plug provides an intermediate option.

What size comes after 00g? ▾

Gauge notation generally ends at 00g. The next size is commonly labeled 7/16 inch or 11 mm, but this depends on whether the current 00g jewelry measures 9 or 10 mm. Check both items in millimeters.

Are all 00g plugs the same size? ▾

No. Some manufacturers use 9 mm for 00g, while others use 10 mm. This difference is large enough to affect comfort and fit. Read the exact metric measurement on the product listing.

Can I skip an ear gauge size? ▾

Skipping a size creates a larger increase and raises the likelihood of tissue damage. Use gradual millimeter increments and do not force jewelry. If the next piece does not enter easily, stop and consult a professional piercer.

How do I know if my ears are ready for the next size? ▾

The lobes should be fully settled, comfortable, and free from swelling, tenderness, bleeding, or discharge. The next jewelry should enter without force. Because readiness varies, there is no universal waiting period that guarantees a safe stretch.

Is 0g larger than 00g? ▾

No. Although the naming looks unusual, 00g is larger than 0g. A 0g plug is normally about 8 mm, while 00g can be 9 or 10 mm depending on the manufacturer.

Use Millimeters as the Final Check

An ear gauge size chart makes the order easier to understand, but the gauge label should not be your only reference. Compare the exact millimeter diameter, account for flares and wearable area, and choose gradual increments. If jewelry meets resistance or the lobe shows signs of injury, stop rather than pushing toward the next number.

Ear Gauge Size Chart: Inches, Millimeters, and Sizes Explained