How to Measure Your Wrist Size for Watches

When purchasing a new watch band, you can easily be left wondering how to measure your wrist for watches to ensure you get the correct size.

Well, a few different factors need to be considered when it comes to finding the size of your wrist for a watch band.

The first is the type of band you are going to be wearing. Metal bracelets measure differently than leather bands and NATO straps.

You will also want to note other factors like time of day, the position of your wrist, and where you want your watch to rest on your wrist.

What we’ll cover in this article:

Recommended Tools Measuring Your Wrist
Things To Consider When Measuring Your Wrist
How to Measure Your Wrist with a Measuring Tape
Measure Your Band Size without a Measuring Tape
Using Your Measurements to Find the Perfect Strap

The Tools You Need to Measure Your Wrist Size

Truthfully, you only need a few household tools to measure your wrist size for a watch. However, we do recommend purchasing a seamstress measuring tape if you want a very accurate measurement.

That said, you can also use a string or piece of paper to measure your wrist, assuming you have a stiff measuring tape or ruler.

It’s also best to use a measuring device with centimeters or millimeters because most watch bands are sized using millimeters. If this isn’t possible, you can convert inches to millimeters, but this won’t be as accurate.

Things to Considering When Measuring Your Wrist For a Watch

Wrist size changes throughout the day: As you go through the day, your body stores water. This enlarges your wrists. That means we recommend measuring your wrist size when you will be wearing your watch the most. If it is a fitness watch that will only be worn in the morning, measure in the morning. If it is a dress watch that will mostly be worn to dinners at night, measure then.
Keep your hand open when measuring: When you make a fist, your wrist actually gets smaller. This can cause issues when measuring for a watch band as, from my experience, it is much easier to deal with a band that is too large than too small.
Different types of bands use measurements differently: As we have mentioned already, different bands use measurements differently. For this reason, we recommend reading up on each specific band below before measuring your wrist size.
Measure where you want your watch on your wrist: I personally like my watches to be on my wrist bone, so this is where I measure. Some people prefer above the bone or below the bone, though, so measure where you feel most comfortable with your watch being. There is no wrong or right place for your watch to rest.

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How To Measure Your Wrist Size for Watches with a Seamstress Measuring Tape

Start with your palm open and facing up.
Take the seamstress measuring tape and put the end of the tape at the center of your wrist.
Wrap the tape around your wrist where you want your watch to sit.
- Make sure that it is snug but not pressing into your skin.
Line the end of the seamstress tape up with the measurement that completes the loop.
Write down the measurements you got.
If needed, convert these to millimeters.
- This can be done by typing in your measurements on Google.

Measuring Your Wrist Size for Watches without Seamstress Tape

Get a piece of string or cut out a strip of paper that is long enough to wrap around your wrist.
- You’ll also need to get a ruler or measuring tape and a pen.
Lay down your palm facing up and open on a table.
Take the string or paper strip and wrap it around your wrist.
- This needs to fit snugly without cutting into your wrist.
Use your pen to mark where the paper or string meets.
Next, lay the string or paper flat on a table and measure it with your ruler or measuring tape.
- You need your measurement in millimeters for watch bands, so use Google to convert the measurements if needed.

Using Your Measurements to Find the Perfect Strap

Now that you know how to measure your wrist size for watches, we need to translate this measurement into the different types of watch bands.

Leather Bands

If there is any band type where wrist measurements are a must, it is leather straps. This is because, unlike NATO straps, leather bands having excess length can really detract from the look of a watch.

For this reason, when purchasing a leather band, ensure your wrist measurement is as accurate as possible. Even an extra inch can be too much on leather straps.

It is also worth noting that leather will stretch out over time, so going a few millimeters tighter for leather straps can be a good idea if you plan on using a leather strap every day.

Metal Bracelets & Bands

When it comes to watch bands, metal bands usually are worn the loosest. This is because it can be difficult to get adjustments on metal bands perfect.

Metal bands are also more restrictive, so wearing them looser allows your wrist to grow throughout the day without discomfort.

As far as using your wrist measurements to purchase a watch with a metal band, most new watches will need to be taken to a jeweler to be resized. At which you actually won’t need your measurements. The jeweler will likely use trial and error to get the perfect fit.

Purchasing a used watch with a metal band can get more tricky, though, and measurements can come in handy. You don’t want to purchase a used watch with a stunning metal band that is too small for your wrist.

NATO Straps

NATO straps are tricky when it comes to measurements as they wrap under your watch face. For this reason, we recommend adding about an inch or 25mm to your wrist measurement when purchasing a NATO strap.

This extra length will account for the band running under the watch. It is worth noting, however, that NATO straps are supposed to be longer than your wrist length. The excess strap is tucked back under the rings on the strap.

Overall, unless a NATO strap is custom-made, most retailers will sell one-size-fits-all NATO straps.

Nic King

My watch journey started when my dad gave me a quartz watch customized with the company he worked for on the face. From there, it evolved into other quartz watches and eventually to the world of mechanical watches. My first luxury watch was a 1960s vintage Omega, and the collection has only expanded from there.