Standard Jewelry Sizes for Each Piercing

Have you ever wondered about piercing jewelry sizes? Many piercings have “standard” sizes that they use for different kinds of piercings. For example, a nose piercing is usually much thinner than jewelry used in a lip piercing. Sometimes this is aesthetic, sometimes this is the safest size to pierce at to avoid the healing period going awry.

Of course, all jewelry and sizes vary depending on each individual’s anatomy and at the piercer’s discretion. Find out how to measure you own jewelry in this post here. Your piercer should take into account the placement of the piercing and your anatomy. But that doesn’t mean you can’t speak to your piercer about choosing another size. They may be able to accommodate you or explain why that size isn’t possible for you.

Let’s get into it!

Belly Button Piercing Sizes

To prevent migration the standard size for a belly button ring is 14 gauge. Larger sizes are always an option, but will minimize jewelry choices. Standard length is 7/16”.

Bridge Piercing Sizes

Bridge piercings are usually going to start out at 16g or 14g, with the length varying depending on your anatomy.

Cartilage Piercing Sizes

Cartilage piercings are typically 18 gauge, but sometimes range from 16 gauge to 14 gauge and beyond. Standard lengths and diameters for healing are 5/16” and 3/8’, with 1/4” and 5/16ths being the norm for downsizing a healed cartilage piercing.

Cheek Piercing Sizes

Cheeks are often pierced with 16g, 14g, and 12g labret bars. Lengths will vary drastically from person to person on this piercing depending on anatomy.

Dermal Piercing Sizes

Dermal anchors are across the board usually a 14g.

Earlobe Piercing Sizes

Earlobes are typically pierced anywhere from 18g to 14g. If you intend on stretching your ears or simply prefer a larger size, you can ask your piercer to be pierced at a larger size.

Eyebrow Piercing Sizes

Standard eyebrow piercings are 18 gauge to 16g gauge. As with most surface piercings, larger jewelry is better to avoid migration. Standard lengths are 5/16” and 3/8”.

Frenum Piercing Sizes

The standard frenum size is 12 gauge.

Industrial Piercing Sizes

The most common size for an industrial is 14 gauge. 16 gauge and 12 gauge are also common depending on aesthetic preference. Standard length for an industrial will vary depending on each persons anatomy.

Lip Piercing Sizes

A labret, Monroe or philtrum piercing is often done with a 16 gauge or 14 gauge. Standard length for a labret piercing is 5/16”, 3/8”, or 7/16”.

Nipple Piercing Sizes

Common starting sizes for nipple piercings are 14 gauge and 12 gauge. Larger jewelry is less likely to migrate. The standard length is 1/2” to 5/8”.

Nostril Piercing Sizes

20 gauge and 18 gauge are the standard nostril piercing sizes. Standard length is 5/16”.

General Genital Piercing Sizes

For most female genital piercings the standard size barbell is 12g with the length varying drastically depending on anatomy and placement. For men the the sizes also will vary drastically from 12g and up depending on anatomy and personal preference. With lengths also depending on everything from placement and preference.

Septum Piercing Sizes

The standard size for a septum piercing is 16 gauge and 14 gauge. Check with your piercer if you want to start at a larger size. Otherwise, septum stretching is always an option! Diameter and lengths vary depending on anatomy and placement but usually a 5/16” will give you a slightly more snug fit and 3/8” a slightly looser.

Tongue Piercing Sizes

Tongue piercings are typically 14 gauge and 12 gauge. Standard length is varies 5/8” to 3/4” for fresh piercings and 1/2” for healed.

Tongue Web Piercing Sizes

For tongue web piercings and frenulum a 16 gauge or 14 gauge is the most common.