It’s important for your watch to fit snugly on your wrist. A loose-fitting watch may fall off, while a tight one may cut off your circulation.
To prevent any of these from happening, you need to learn how to measure wrist size accurately. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do so.
Table of Contents
1. Prepare Your Measuring Items
The first thing you need to do is get a measuring tape – otherwise known as a seamstress’ tape. If you can’t find this at home or the store, you can always use a piece of string and a ruler.
2. Pick the Right Time
While you can measure your wrist at any time, it’s best to do so at the end of the day. Your wrist is going to be larger then because of the accumulation of water.
3. Take Your Measurements
Below are 2 ways to take your measurement – with a tape and with a string ; ruler.
With a Measuring Tape
- Open your palm. Make sure that the underside of your wrist faces up.
- Place the metal end of your measuring tape at the center of your wrist. Wrap it around until you get a snug fit. Use the centimeter side when you take your measurement since most watch sizes have their dimensions in millimeters.
- Another option is to loop the tape and put your wrist in. Once you have done this, pull the tape to create a snug fit.
- List your measurement (in centimeters) and multiply it by 10 to get the millimeter equivalent.
With a String and Ruler
- Position your hand with an open palm to widen your wrist.
- Wrap the string around your wrist. Take note of the ends.
- Measure the string against the ruler. Use the centimeter side.
- Multiply the number by 10 to get the equivalent in millimeters.
Choose the Right Watch Band
Now that you know the measurement of your wrist, you can go ahead and buy a watch. However, you still need to be careful as your size will vary according to the band material.
Metal Bracelet
A metal bracelet is relatively fluid. This means you need a looser band if you want to enjoy good wrist movement throughout the day. As such, you should get a metal watch that’s a centimeter bigger than your wrist size.
You can check for fit by wrapping the tape inside the metal watch band. If it’s less than a centimeter bigger than your wrist, then you may need to add a link. If it’s more than a centimeter big, then you might need to remove a link.
Leather Bracelet
Since this material is quite inflexible, leather – especially a brand new one – can be a little stiff. That being said, there are 2 ways for you to determine if the leather watch will fit your wrist well.
If the leather strap comes with a watch face, all you need to do is measure the accessory from end to end. For best results, get a style that’s 2 centimeters longer than your wrist size.
If you’re only shopping for straps, measure the straps from the watch pinholes. Again, you’ll need these straps to be 2 centimeters longer than your wrist size for a comfortable fit.
NATO Bracelet
The NATO watch has a unique design that makes its face sit slightly away from your wrist. Because of this, you need to pick a style that’s 2.5 centimeters longer than your measurement. This will give a snug fit without pulling too tightly into your wrist.
Measuring your wrist size is easy. Just remember to measure your wrist with the palms facing up at the end of the day for a more accurate result.
