A simple guide to diameter, width and finding the hoop that sits the way you want it to.
Hoop measurements can be slightly deceptive.
A few millimetres can make a noticeable difference to how a hoop looks when worn, and diameter is only part of it. The width of the hoop, its profile and where your piercing sits all affect the final result.
So, if you're trying to work out which hoop size is right for you, here are the measurements worth paying attention to.
What does hoop earring size actually mean?
The first thing to check is whether the measurement refers to the inside or outside diameter of the hoop.
There isn't much room for guesswork here. A hoop measured across its outside edge will be larger than one with the same stated measurement taken internally, particularly when the hoop itself has a thicker profile.
Check the individual product measurements rather than relying on the product name alone.
How to measure for hoop earrings
If you want an idea of how closely a hoop will sit, use a ruler with millimetre markings to measure the distance from your piercing to the edge of your ear.
Then compare that measurement with the internal diameter of the hoop you're considering.
Remember that everyone's ears and piercing placement are different, so the same hoop can sit quite differently from one person to another.
Diameter isn't the whole story
Two hoops with a similar diameter can look completely different.
A fine hoop tends to read as lighter and more delicate, while a wider profile creates more presence, even when the overall diameter is relatively compact.
Our 7mm Hoop Earrings take their name from their 7mm width. That substantial width gives them a chunkier, more sculptural appearance, so the effect is quite different from what the name might suggest if you assumed 7mm referred to diameter.
Three profiles, side by side: the 7mm Hoop Earrings, the Tube Hoop Earrings and the Libby Hoop Earrings.
The Tube Hoop Earrings play with volume in a different way, using a rounded tubular form to create presence while remaining lightweight to wear.
Think about how you want the hoop to sit
Some people want a hoop that sits relatively close to the ear. Others prefer more space and movement.
Neither is right or wrong. The useful question is simply how you want the hoop to look when you're wearing it.
Looking at worn photographs alongside the measurements is often the best way to judge this. Product dimensions tell you the scale; the photograph tells you something about the proportion.
And what about stacking earrings?
If you have more than one piercing, different hoop sizes can of course be worn together. But there doesn't need to be a formula.
Repeat the same form at different scales, put a hoop beside a simple stud, mix silver and gold, or leave some space.
As with ring stacking, the interesting combinations are often the ones you arrive at rather than plan.
Before you choose
Diameter. Is the measurement internal or external?
Width. A chunkier profile will have more visual presence, regardless of diameter.
Worn images. Look at how the hoop sits on an actual ear rather than relying on measurements alone.
After that, it mostly comes down to what you like.
Hoop earring size, answered
What does hoop earring size mean?
It usually refers to diameter, but check whether the measurement is taken inside or outside the hoop. The outside measurement will always be larger.
Does hoop width matter as much as diameter?
Often more than you'd expect. A wider hoop has more presence than a fine hoop of the same diameter.
How do I choose the right hoop size?
Look at the product measurements and the worn photographs together. The measurements give you scale, and the photographs show how the hoop sits.