Earring Size Guide: How to Read Measurements

Earring dimensions are easiest to compare when the same part of each design is being measured. A hoop’s inside opening, its outside diameter and a drop earring’s full height describe different things, so the number alone does not tell you how two different styles will look side by side.

Use the measurements shown on the product page as your reference. Check whether a hoop measurement is inside or outside the hoop, and read the wording carefully for drops: a listing may give the full height, the width, or both. If a measurement is marked “approx.”, treat it as an approximate guide.

How hoop earring measurements work

The inside diameter measures across the open space inside a hoop, from one inner edge to the opposite inner edge. The outside diameter measures across the full hoop from outer edge to outer edge. The hoop’s thickness affects how far apart these two measurements are.

How to measure a hoop you already own

Place the hoop flat beside a ruler marked in millimetres. Measure from one outside edge to the opposite outside edge for outside diameter. Measure across the clear opening from inner edge to inner edge for inside diameter. For an oval or irregular hoop, note both height and width rather than describing it with a diameter alone. When comparing pieces, match the same kind of measurement and use the individual product page as the reference.

Compare the listed hoop sizes

Vienna Classic Hoop Earrings

• Mini: 14 mm outside diameter and 9 mm inside diameter.
• Medium: 17 mm outside diameter and 12 mm inside diameter.
• Large: 21 mm outside diameter and 15 mm inside diameter.

Willa Thin Hoop Earrings

• Medium: 25 mm inside diameter, with 2 mm hoop thickness.
• Large: 30 mm inside diameter, with 2 mm hoop thickness.

Compare inside diameter with inside diameter, or outside diameter with outside diameter. A 25 mm inside measurement is not the same measurement as a 25 mm outside measurement. The numbers describe each design; they cannot predict an exact fit on every piercing or earlobe.

Reading stud dimensions

Stud details can be listed as a width, height or diameter across the visible front. For a round stud, a single diameter may describe the face. For an oval or an irregular shape, two dimensions can give a clearer picture of its overall outline. Check the exact wording on the product page to see which part of the earring is being described; do not assume a number refers to the post or backing.

Checking drop earring height and width

For a drop style, look for the dimension that describes its full height and, where supplied, its width. A wider design and a taller design with the same one dimension can have a different outline. Also check whether the listing says “full height”, “drop” or another term, because the stated measurement can refer to different parts of a design.

The Marley Pearl Crystal Earrings currently list an approximate full height of 3.5 cm and width of 1.5 cm per earring.

A simple way to compare dimensions

If you have a ruler marked in millimetres or centimetres, use it to picture the stated length and width next to a familiar object. Ten millimetres equal one centimetre. For a hoop, keep the inside and outside measurements separate. For a drop, compare full height with full height and width with width.

Product photographs can also help you understand the shape and proportions, but screen size and image scale vary. Use the stated product dimensions alongside the images, and check the selected product page for its available size options and current specifications.

If a listing does not explain which part a number describes, contact Reef & Rose customer care before relying on that figure. Each earring design has its own measurements; a single size label is not a universal scale across every style.

Browse the current Reef & Rose earrings collection, and read How to Style Earrings: A Simple Guide for ideas about pairing earrings with hair, necklines and other jewellery.

Frequently asked questions

How can I measure an earring at home?

Lay the earring on a flat surface and use a ruler marked in millimetres or centimetres. For a stud, note the visible front's width and height (or its diameter if round). For a hoop, measure the open inside span and the full outside span separately, and label which is which. For a drop earring, hold it in its natural hanging position and measure from the top of the fitting to the lowest point. Product listings may define measurements differently, so compare the same dimension and follow the wording on that product page. A ruler helps compare the piece itself; it cannot guarantee how it will sit on every ear.

What does the inside diameter of a hoop mean?

It is the distance across the open space inside the hoop, from one inner edge to the other. Check that a product listing says “inside” or “inner” diameter before comparing it with another measurement.

Is there one standard earring size?

Earring measurements describe different dimensions depending on the style. Compare the same measurement type, such as inside diameter with inside diameter, and use the dimensions and size options shown on the individual product page.

How do I compare drop earrings?

Read whether the product page lists full height, drop length, width or more than one dimension. Compare matching dimensions and keep “approx.” wording where it appears.

How many centimetres is 14 mm?

14 mm is 1.4 cm. Both units describe the same length; keep the original product-page unit beside the converted value when comparing listings.