Sizes & fit
Every listing states its finished dimensions. This page explains what those numbers mean in practice.
Wrong-size is the single most common reason a handmade item gets returned, and it is almost always avoidable. Find your department below.
Jewelry
Ring sizes (US)
The reliable method: take a ring that already fits the right finger, measure its inside diameter in millimetres, and match it below. Measure the ring, not the finger.
| US size | Inside diameter (mm) | Inside circumference (mm) | Inside circumference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 14.9 | 46.8 | 1.84 |
| 4.5 | 15.3 | 48.0 | 1.89 |
| 5 | 15.7 | 49.3 | 1.94 |
| 5.5 | 16.1 | 50.6 | 1.99 |
| 6 | 16.5 | 51.9 | 2.04 |
| 6.5 | 16.9 | 53.1 | 2.09 |
| 7 | 17.3 | 54.4 | 2.14 |
| 7.5 | 17.7 | 55.7 | 2.19 |
| 8 | 18.1 | 57.0 | 2.24 |
| 8.5 | 18.5 | 58.3 | 2.29 |
| 9 | 18.9 | 59.5 | 2.34 |
| 9.5 | 19.4 | 60.8 | 2.39 |
| 10 | 19.8 | 62.1 | 2.44 |
Average women’s sizes fall between 6 and 6.5; average men’s between 9 and 10. If you are between two sizes, take the larger.
About the string method
Wrapping string or paper around your finger is popular advice and it is not accurate: string stretches, paper shifts with humidity, and neither accounts for your knuckle — which on most people is wider than the base of the finger. A ring that fits where it sits may not go on at all.
If you have no ring to measure, a $2 plastic ring sizer or a free measurement at any jewelry counter beats string every time.
Necklace lengths
Where a chain sits depends on your build and neck circumference, so treat these as a starting point rather than a promise.
| Length | Roughly where it sits |
|---|---|
| 16″ | Base of the neck — snug, sits above the collarbone on most people |
| 18″ | On or just below the collarbone. The most common length, and the safest gift choice |
| 20″ | A couple of inches below the collarbone |
| 24″ | Mid-chest — long enough to layer over a top or under a collar |
Layering two chains? Leave at least 2″ between them so they do not tangle.
Bracelet lengths
Measure snugly around your wrist just below the wrist bone, then add for comfort:
- + 0.5″ — close fit, sits against the wrist
- + 0.75″ — standard comfortable fit, a little movement
- + 1″ — loose fit, drapes and slides
Beaded bracelets need more allowance than flat chain: thicker beads take up interior room, so add the higher end of that range.
Bags & pouches
Listings give width × height × depth of the finished bag, plus the strap drop for anything with a handle. What that means in practice:
| If it measures | It holds |
|---|---|
| ~15 × 16 in (tote) | A 13″ laptop flat, a folder, a water bottle. Everyday carry |
| ~13 × 14 in (tote) | A book, a wallet, a small umbrella. Not a laptop |
| ~9 × 6 in (pouch) | Cables and a charger, or makeup, or a small notebook and pens |
| ~7 × 4 in (pouch) | Cards, coins, lip balm, earbuds. Fits inside a larger bag |
| ~4 × 3 in (coin purse) | Coins, keys, a folded note |
Strap drop is the vertical distance from the top of the strap to the top of the bag. A 9–11″ drop sits on the shoulder; 4–6″ is a hand carry.
Fabric weight matters as much as size: a lightweight cotton tote will sag under a laptop where a canvas one will not. Each listing states the fibre and the weight.
Candles & home décor
For candles, the two numbers that matter are net wax weight and burn time. We measure burn time ourselves rather than reprinting the supplier figure.
| Net wax weight | Typical total burn time | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 4 oz | 20–25 hours | A bathroom, a desk, a bedside table |
| 8 oz | 40–50 hours | A living room or bedroom — the usual gift size |
| 12 oz | 60–75 hours | An open-plan room, or a candle you burn most evenings |
Burn the candle for 2–3 hours the first time so the wax pools to the edge of the vessel. Short first burns are what cause tunnelling, not a faulty wick.
Wall hangings, trays and coasters list flat dimensions. For a wall piece, measure the space first — pieces almost always read larger on a wall than they look in a photograph.
Stationery & paper
| Item | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A2 card | 4.25 × 5.5 in | The standard US greeting card. Envelope included |
| A6 card | 4.5 × 6.25 in | Slightly larger; still standard postage |
| A5 notebook | 5.8 × 8.3 in | Fits a tote or a large handbag |
| A6 notebook | 4.1 × 5.8 in | Pocket size |
Paper weight is stated in gsm or lb. Roughly: 120 gsm is writing paper, 250 gsm is a card that stands up on a mantelpiece, 300 gsm is a heavy art card. Anything under 100 gsm will show ink through the page.
Hair accessories
- Clips — length of the clip is what to check. Under 2″ holds a small section; 3″+ holds a half-up or thick hair.
- Scrunchies — one size, but the fabric decides the hold. Satin slides more than cotton; a doubled elastic grips fine hair better.
- Headbands — listings give the inside circumference. Most adults are 21–23 in; check if you are outside that.
Craft supplies & kits
Bead sizes are the diameter in millimetres — a 6 mm bead is 6 mm across, not 6 mm of hole. Jump rings give outside diameter and wire gauge; a 6 mm / 20 ga ring is the general-purpose size for most chain work.
Every kit page lists the finished dimensions of what you will make, everything in the box, the tools included, and roughly how long it takes.
Still unsure?
Email [your@email.com] with the listing you are looking at and what you want it to fit, and we will tell you whether it will. We would much rather answer a question than process a return.