How to Choose Your Piercing Ring
Start with your piercing placement, then match your gauge, then choose the inner diameter that gives you the fit you want.
1
Choose Your Piercing Placement
Nostril, septum, helix, rook, tragus, daith, conch or earlobe. Each placement has common starting points for gauge and diameter.
2
Match Your Gauge
Gauge means wire thickness. If you already wear jewellery comfortably, choose the same gauge where possible.
3
Choose Your Inner Diameter
Diameter changes how close, relaxed or visible the hoop looks once worn. Measured in millimetres.
Start with the jewellery you already wear
If you already have a ring or stud that feels comfortable, use it as your starting point. Match the gauge first, then adjust the diameter depending on whether you want a closer, more relaxed or more visible fit.
Choose by Piercing Placement
These are common starting points. Every person’s piercing position, tissue thickness and fit preference is different — use these as a guide, not an absolute rule.
Nostril Piercing
Often chosen: 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–9mm
Available at Stepoy: 16G / 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–15mm
Smaller diameters sit closer to the nostril. Larger diameters create a softer, more visible hoop shape.
Best for: A clean everyday nose hoop in solid 14K gold.
Shop Nostril Rings →
Septum Piercing
Often chosen: 16G / 18G · 6–10mm
Available at Stepoy: 16G / 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–15mm
Septum sizing is very sensitive to both gauge and diameter. A 1mm difference can noticeably change the look.
Best for: A minimal seamless septum hoop for healed piercings.
Shop Septum Hoops →
Helix Piercing
Often chosen: 16G / 18G / 20G · 6–10mm
Available at Stepoy: 16G / 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–15mm
The right diameter depends on piercing height and ear shape. A closer fit looks neat; a larger hoop gives more movement.
Best for: A sleek cartilage hoop that sits close or drapes depending on your preference.
Shop Helix Hoops →
Rook Piercing
Often chosen: 16G / 18G · 6–8mm
Available at Stepoy: 16G / 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–15mm
Rook piercings usually need a careful fit because the fold of cartilage leaves less room for the hoop.
Best for: A snug, minimal hoop that sits neatly within the rook fold.
Tragus Piercing
Often chosen: 16G / 18G / 20G · 6–8mm
Available at Stepoy: 16G / 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–15mm
A smaller hoop can look neat and minimal, but the right size depends on tragus thickness and placement.
Best for: A subtle, close-fitting tragus hoop in solid gold.
Shop Tragus Hoops →
Daith Piercing
Often chosen: 16G / 18G · 8–10mm
Available at Stepoy: 16G / 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–15mm
Daith hoops sit inside the inner ear fold, so diameter affects both comfort and visibility.
Best for: A comfortable seamless daith hoop with no ball pressing against the ear canal.
Shop Daith Hoops →
Conch Piercing
Often chosen: 16G / 18G · 10–13mm
Available at Stepoy: 16G / 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–15mm
Conch hoops need enough diameter to travel around the outer ear comfortably. Sometimes larger sizes are needed.
Best for: A statement hoop that wraps from inner ear bowl over the helix rim.
Shop Conch Rings →
Earlobe Piercing
Often chosen: 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–15mm
Available at Stepoy: 16G / 18G / 20G / 22G · 6–15mm
Smaller hoops look minimal and close-fitting. Larger diameters create a classic gold hoop look.
Best for: Everyday gold hoops from subtle huggies to bold classic hoops.
Shop Earlobe Hoops →
What Gauge Should I Choose?
Gauge is the thickness of the wire that passes through your piercing. The numbering is counterintuitive: a lower number means thicker wire. If you already wear jewellery comfortably, your safest choice is to match that gauge. If you are not sure, ask your piercer or compare with the reference below.
16G
≈ 1.2mm
Thicker, more substantial. Common for daith and conch.
18G
≈ 1.0mm
Medium weight. Common for many piercings.
20G
≈ 0.8mm
Finer, delicate and minimal. Popular for helix and nostril.
22G
≈ 0.6mm
Very fine, very subtle. Often chosen for delicate nostril piercings.
| Gauge | Approx. Thickness | Look |
|---|
| 16G | 1.2mm | More substantial, bold |
| 18G | 1.0mm | Medium, versatile |
| 20G | 0.8mm | Delicate and minimal |
| 22G | 0.6mm | Very fine, very subtle |
Not sure about your gauge?
The most reliable method is to ask your piercer. If you cannot visit, compare: many standard fashion earring posts are around 20G, but this should only be used as a rough visual reference. If your current jewellery feels noticeably thicker, it is likely 18G. A very fine nostril stud is usually 22G.
What Diameter Should I Choose?
Diameter means the inner diameter of the hoop — the distance across the inner opening, not the outer edge. A smaller number means the hoop sits closer to the skin. A larger number means more visible drape. The same 8mm hoop will look completely different on a nostril, a helix and a rook.
Three ways to wear your hoop
◎
Close Fit
Sits closer to the piercing. Minimal and neat. Choose the smallest diameter in your range.
○
Relaxed Fit
A little more space. Comfortable for everyday wear. Choose a mid-range diameter.
◯
Visible Fit
More noticeable hoop shape. Choose the larger end of your range if you want the ring to stand out.
Inner diameter vs outer diameter
Some sellers list outer diameter, which includes the wire thickness on both sides. An “8mm outer diameter” ring at 18G has an inner diameter of only about 6mm. All Stepoy sizes are inner diameter. When comparing with other brands, always check which measurement they use.
What If I Am Between Two Sizes?
Many customers find themselves stuck between 7mm and 8mm, or 8mm and 9mm. Here are some general guidelines to help you decide.
Want a closer fit?
Choose the smaller size. A slightly snug hoop looks intentional and elegant.
Not sure about comfort?
Choosing slightly larger is usually safer if you are worried about tightness.
Piercing sits high?
Higher placement means more distance from the tissue edge — you will need a larger diameter.
Thicker tissue?
If your tissue is thicker than average, go up 1mm to allow room for the hoop to sit comfortably.
Previous ring too tight?
Increase by 1mm from your current size.
Previous ring too loose?
Decrease by 1mm from your current size.
Still unsure?
A professional piercer can help confirm your size. You can also
contact us with a photo and your current jewellery details — we are happy to help you choose.
Before You Choose Your Ring
A quick checklist to make sure you are ready to order.
- My piercing is fully healed
- I know my current gauge, or I can check with my piercer
- I understand that diameter affects fit and appearance
- I want a seamless hoop, not a hinged clicker
- I am choosing solid gold, not gold-plated jewellery
Related resources:Size Guide ·Contact Us
Made to Fit Your Piercing
Not a standard display size. Every Stepoy ring is handmade to your chosen gauge and diameter in 14K solid gold. We do not sell a handful of fixed sizes and hope one fits — we make the ring that fits you.
Why Stepoy rings are different
Each ring is made to order from 14K solid gold wire, carefully formed, polished and checked before dispatch. The seamless join is designed to look clean, feel comfortable and stay minimal once worn.
◆
14K Solid Gold
Solid 14K gold throughout — no plating, no gold-filled layer, nickel-free.
◇
Seamless Design
Precision-cut ends that twist apart and press back together invisibly.
○
Made to Order
Your gauge, your diameter. Every ring checked before dispatch.
Piercing Ring Size FAQs
What gauge piercing ring do I need?
The safest choice is usually to match the gauge you already wear comfortably. If you are not sure, ask your piercer or compare with a standard earring post (approximately 20G).
Is diameter the same as ring size?
For Stepoy rings, diameter means the inner diameter of the hoop — the distance across the inner opening. This is the industry standard for body jewellery.
What size nose ring should I choose?
Many nostril hoops sit around 6–9mm, but the right size depends on where the piercer placed the hole, your nostril shape and your fit preference. Lower placement generally needs a smaller diameter.
What size septum ring should I choose?
As a general guide, 8mm often gives a closer look, 10mm is a common visible size, and 12mm tends to hang lower — but septum sizing depends heavily on piercing height and anatomy. Even 1mm can make a visible difference.
Can I wear a Stepoy seamless hoop in a fresh piercing?
Stepoy rings are designed for healed piercings. If your piercing is still healing, sore, swollen or producing discharge, check with a professional piercer before changing jewellery.
What if I choose the wrong size?
Because each ring is handmade to order for hygiene-sensitive piercings, we recommend contacting us before ordering if you are unsure. We can help you compare gauge, diameter and placement before your ring is made.
What is the difference between a seamless hoop and a clicker?
A seamless hoop has no clasp, hinge or ball — the precision-cut ends twist apart and press back together. A clicker has a hinged segment that clicks shut. Many people prefer seamless hoops for everyday wear because there is no visible hinge, clasp or ball, creating a cleaner, more minimal look.
Why 14K solid gold instead of gold-plated?
Gold plating wears off over time, especially with 24/7 skin contact. When the coating breaks down, the base metal underneath (often containing nickel) touches your piercing and can cause reactions. 14K solid gold is the same material all the way through — it never wears down to a different metal.
Still not sure about your size?
Send us a message with your piercing type and a photo if possible — we will recommend the best size for you.
Get Sizing Help →
Shop by Placement
