Coral Charm Bracelet by Kaair Meng

JEWELRY Bangle bdBracelet jewelry making bd   2 Comments 2 min read

The Ins and Outs of Bracelet Sizing

Coral Charm Bracelet project by Kaair Meng
Join us at Maker Festivals Colorado, the ultimate crafting extravaganza in Loveland from April 10-13, 2024, where the beloved Yarn Fest evolves with an exciting addition of beads and jewelry artists!

One of the most important parts of jewelry making is ensuring that you get the right measurements for your designs. Your jewelry can easily end up being the wrong size and be ill-fitting. You don’t want to have to start over with a piece or waste time trying to resize it. Get your bracelet size right the first time by learning how to size bracelets with our jewelry sizing tutorial.

Above: Coral Charm Bracelet by Kaair Meng

It doesn’t matter whether you prefer to make bangles, cuffs, chain bracelets, beaded bracelets or another type of wrist jewelry. The measurements are just as important.

How to Make the Proper-Sized Bracelet

If the bracelet wearer knows his or her bracelet size, simply refer to the chart below to determine what size you should make your bracelet. This chart includes bracelet measurements for children, women and men.

Rosy Future Bracelet by Edgar Lopez

Children’s Bracelet Lengths

2 to 5 years – 5.5 inches

6 to 8 years – 6 inches

9 to 13 years – 6.5 inches

Women’s Bracelet Lengths

Petite – 7 inches

Medium – 7.5 to 8 inches

Large – 8.5 inches

Plus size – 9 inches

Ankle bracelet – 9.5 to 10 inches

Men’s Bracelet Lengths

Small – 8 inches

Medium – 8.5 inches

Large – 9 inches

Plus size – 9.5 inches

If exact measurements are necessary, you’ll need to take your own measurements to determine the correct bracelet size. This is especially important when creating custom bracelets.

The following instructions provide an easy way to determine bracelet size and bangle size. They will also help you convert circumference to diameter and convert that diameter to bracelet size.

How to Measure for Bracelet Size

1

Measure around the wrist at the wrist bone. Choose a place where you would normally wear a bracelet. To take the measurement, use a bracelet gauge, a ribbon measuring tape or even a strip of paper and a ruler.

2

To use the strip of paper, mark where the end of the bracelet needs to be and then measure the paper with a ruler. No matter the method, the measurement is the wrist size.Increase the wrist measurement in the following increments to determine the bracelet size for how you want the bracelet to fit.

Add 1/4 to 1/2 inch to the measurement for a snug fit, 3/4 to 1 inch for a comfortable fit, or about 1-1/4 inch for a loose fit.

How to Measure for Bangle Size

1

Hold your hand as if you were putting on a bangle. Bring all of your fingers together with your thumb and little finger touching.

2

Measure around the hand at the widest point with a tape measure or a strip of paper. Be sure to pull the paper or tape measure snug against your skin. Mark the paper with a pen and measure it with a ruler. This measurement is the circumference of your hand.

3

Use the following chart to determine the diameter of your hand, based on the circumference. After determining the diameter, choose a bangle that’s at least 1/4 inch larger in diameter than the diameter measurement of your hand,

Convert Hand Circumference to Diameter

7-1/2 inches equals approximately 2-3/8 inches in diameter – small

8-1/4 inches equals approximately 2-5⁄8 inches in diameter – medium

8-5⁄8 inches equals approximately 2-3⁄4 inches in diameter – large

Slouchy Ribbed Hat knitting pattern by Shannon Cook
Boogie Bracelet by Jill Hanratty

How to Convert Bracelet Sizes to Circumference

Sometimes bracelets are offered in specific sizes. Maybe you’ve seen one for sale or you’d like to offer one for sale in a certain size, rather than small, medium, and large.

To convert a wrist circumference to a numeric bracelet size, simply add 1/2 inch to the wrist measurement. Or, if you’d like to convert the opposite way, subtract 0.5 inches from the bracelet size to find the wrist circumference. To give an example, a size 8 bracelet equals a wrist circumference of 7.5 inches. A 9-inch wrist circumference would be a size 9-1/2 bracelet.


Create your own beautiful bracelet, bangle or cuff with one of the bracelet jewelry projects and bracelet beading patterns available from Interweave. We’ve got so many stylish and lovely bracelet projects made from stamped metal, chain maille, metal clay, beads, and more.


Originally published 1/17/2018. Updated 7/24/2023.


Bracelet Projects We Love


  • Rosy Future Bracelet Pattern Download

    $7.99

  • Boogie Bracelet Crochet Pattern

    $7.99

  • One Hour Bracelets with Jeff Fulkerson Video Download

    $24.99

  • Coral Charm Bracelet Project Download

    $7.99

Join the Conversation!

  1. I have found that the size of the bead or thickness of the beading material play a part in the fit. The thicker the medium, the tighter the fit. I like to make 8″ bracelets for myself, as I like them to drape a bit on my wrist. Bigger beads, such as 10mm, make an 8″ measured bracelet too tight. Any suggestions on how to accomodate that?

    1. Susan, what a Great Point to make – You’re so right!
      It can be so disappointing to discover – only After your project is finished – that it doesn’t fit the way you’d hoped – or worse, that it doesn’t fit at all.
      As you point out, The Type of Thread can make a HUGE difference in the Fit as well as the way a piece Looks when worn.

      For bracelets thicker thread can make a bracelet not fit nicely (or at all) & for longer necklaces (where fit isn’t as noticeable of an issue) I’ve noticed that heavier thread impacts the Drape of a necklace & making necklaces too stiff – so that they don’t look they way I had hoped they would, when they’re actually worn.

      I haven’t worked with larger beads very much (just seed beads, mostly) but I’m sure you’re totally right about that issue impacting the fit of a bracelet as well. THANKS for sharing & pointing out that issue!

      If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have had to “learn the hard way” by making a bracelet that didn’t Fit. Since I’m about to make my first bracelet with larger beads as a Gift for a good friend, that would have been really Disappointing – not just for Me but for Her too! I wouldn’t have found out it didn’t fit her until she was actually trying it on!

      You just “Saved” my project with your Super Helpful Comment!
      THANK YOU so Much for that!

      I like a bit of drape too, in most cases, unless the bracelet is really Wide; in that case I like a more snug fit.

      My suggestions to “compensate” for type of thread (& I assume these suggestions would Also work for differences in bead size too?) are as follows:

      *Add 1/4″ for Medium sized beads or slightly stiffer thread
      (like 4 lb Fireline).

      *Add 1/2″ for Large beads or significantly stiffer thread
      (such as larger diameter / heavier weight Fireline).
      Heavier Fireline *definitely* makes Bracelets fit more tightly & makes Necklaces less “drapey” IME.

      *Add 1/2″ for Very Tightly (Loom) Woven or Very Tightly (Needle) Beaded bracelets.

      ALSO:
      Another Issue that has a BIG Impact on FIT & Drape is How “Tightly” a person pulls their thread when they Bead (with a needle) or how tightly they Pack the beads together when beading on a loom?

      A person’s beading “Style” – whether they pull their threads really Tight, versus beading more loosely – will have a Huge Impact on how much Drape the finished bracelet (or necklace) has & therefore on Both the Fit & the Look of Bracelets & Choker Necklaces & on the Look of a long necklace (which IMO would probably look Best with more Drape to it).

      For a necklace, pulling your thread too tight can actually Visibly “warp” a necklace so it doesn’t hang / drape nicely At All & is essentially ruined. That’s a mistake I’ve made more than once, I’m embarrassed to say. (You’d think that would be a one time only type of mistake, right?)

      I have a Theory about WHY some of us may make the mistake of working too tightly?

      I’ve noticed that I Crochet more loosely but Knit & Bead really tightly sometimes too tightly, to the detriment of ALL my projects, including those made from Yarn.

      I learned to crochet way earlier at a much younger age, so my theory for Why my Crochet projects are at the Correct Tension it’s that I’m much more Relaxed when I crochet?
      Whereas when I Knit – and Especially when I do Beadwork (which is by far the newest of the 3 crafts, for me) I am focused way more consciously on what I’m doing.

      Especially when I’m Beading, I suspect I’m actually “Over Thinking” the process to the point that my Worry about “Getting it Right” (my need for Control) is expressed by pulling the thread (or yarn) Way too tight?

      Maybe my fear of screwing up is translating into a overly strong need for “control” – which is making me pull my thread & yarn too tight?

      My knitting is sometimes so tight that I can have trouble sliding stitches off the needle!
      Similarly, I have to be careful not to pull my beading thread so tight (or pack my Rows of beads so tightly together on the loom) that the finished bracelets won’t lay flat (& Don’t Fit Well) or that necklaces don’t look pretty when worn because they don’t have enough “drape”.

      I’m hoping that by sharing my Mistakes as well as my Theory about what’s causing them – will maybe Help Someone Else to avoid making those same mistakes themselves or may help them Improve their Techniques?

Choose the membership you’d like to join​

Bead & Jewelry

Annual Charter Membership ​

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

Interweave Knits

Annual Charter Membership ​

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

  • 250+ Projects should be ​ ($2,000+ value)
  • 100 Member exclusive ​ should be ($800+ value)
  • 10,000+ Pieces of Expert Advice (Priceless)​​​
  • To View All Benefits Click Here for Bead+Jewelry or here Interweave Knits

The membership you’d like to join​

Interweave Knits

Annual Charter Membership ​

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

  • 250+ Projects – Fresh for Each Season ($1,400 value)​
  • 100 Member Exclusive Projects ($500 value)​​​
  • 10,000+ Pieces of Expert Advice (Priceless)​​​
  • To View All Benefits Click Here for Bead+Jewelry or here Interweave Knits

The membership you’d like to join​

Bead & Jewelry

Annual Charter Membership ​

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

  • 250+ Projects – Fresh for Each Season ($2,000 value)​
  • 100 Member Exclusive Projects ($800+​ value)​​​
  • 10,000+ Pieces of Expert Advice (Priceless)​​​
  • To View All Benefits Click Here for Bead+Jewelry or here Interweave Knits

The membership you’d like to join​

Interweave Knits

Annual Charter Membership ​

(Limited Time Offer)​

$78.00 $24.95/year

  • 250+ Projects – Fresh for Each Season ($1,400 value)​
  • 100 Member Exclusive Projects ($500 value)​​​
  • 10,000+ Pieces of Expert Advice (Priceless)​​​
  • To View All Benefits Click Here for Bead+Jewelry or here Interweave Knits