Ear Gauge Size Chart: Every Size from 20g to 1 Inch

Gauge converter

Gauge sizing confuses almost everyone at first, because the numbers run backward. This ear gauge size chart lays out every common size from a standard 20g earring up to 1 inch, in both millimeters and inches. Below it you'll find the basics of stretching safely and the materials that make the process easier.

Want to compare sizes visually? Our earring size tool includes a gauge converter alongside the actual-size viewer.

The full ear gauge size chart

Millimeter values below are the common jewelry-industry equivalents. Inch values are rounded, and some manufacturers vary by a fraction of a millimeter.

How to read the chart when you shop

Labels vary between sellers. One shop may call a size 8g, another 3mm and a third 1/8 inch, and all three are describing almost the same thing. When in doubt, go by millimeters, since they're the most precise and least confusing.

Also check whether a listed size refers to the wearable part or the flare. A single-flare plug is measured at the part that sits inside your ear, while the flare at the front is a little larger.

Why gauge numbers run backward

The term comes from wire drawing, where metal was pulled through progressively smaller holes. More passes made thinner wire and a higher number. That's why a 20g earring is thinner than a 14g one.

Once you pass 00g there are no more gauge numbers, so sizes switch to inch fractions (and millimeters). If you only care about everyday earrings, our guide to what gauge regular earrings are covers the 20g to 16g range in more detail.

Safe stretching basics

Stretching, or gauging, gradually widens a healed piercing. Done slowly, it's a gentle process. Done fast, it can tear tissue and leave lasting damage.

1. Start with a fully healed piercing. A new lobe piercing typically needs several months before it's ready.
2. Go one size at a time. Skipping sizes is the most common cause of injury.
3. Wait 4 to 6 weeks or more between sizes. Larger sizes often need longer, sometimes months.
4. Never force it. If jewelry won't slide in with gentle pressure and a little lubricant, your ear isn't ready.
5. Massage the lobe. Regular massage with a plain oil or balm keeps tissue supple and promotes blood flow.

Blowouts and other warning signs

A blowout happens when stretching too quickly pushes the inner lining of the channel out the back of the piercing, forming a red lip or ring of tissue. It can be sore, may weep, and can heal with scar tissue that makes future stretching harder.

• Sharp pain, bleeding or tearing during insertion
• A raised, red lip of skin at the back of the lobe
• Thinning on one side of the lobe
• Swelling, heat or discharge that doesn't settle

If you see these signs, downsize to a smaller size and give your ear a rest. See a doctor if you notice spreading redness, pus, fever or pain that gets worse.

Best materials for stretched ears

For stretching itself, smooth, nonporous materials are the safest choice. Implant-grade titanium, implant-grade steel and glass are easy to clean and gentle on fresh tissue.

• Titanium and steel: durable, smooth and widely available in single-flare plugs.
• Glass: nonporous and comfortable, though it can chip if dropped.
• Silicone: flexible and comfortable for healed ears, but not usually advised during active stretching.
• Wood, stone and horn: beautiful for fully healed lobes only, since they're porous.

Avoid acrylic and cheap plated metal while stretching. They can trap bacteria or irritate. And whichever material you choose, keep it clean, because stretched lobes are prone to the same odor issues as regular piercings. Our guide on why earrings smell explains the fix.