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Bracelet and bead size guide: how to choose
A bracelet that's too tight is uncomfortable; one that's too loose spins and catches. Two choices are enough to get it right: your wrist size and the size of the beads. Here's how to make them in two minutes.
Loch Ness editorial team · Updated
- Measure your wrist just below the bone, with a soft tape or a piece of string.
- Between two sizes, take the larger one if you like a bracelet that moves a little.
- For the same wrist size, bigger beads make a slightly snugger bracelet.
- 6 mm beads: discreet; 8 mm: versatile; 10 mm: eye-catching.
Number of beads by size
| Wrist size | Number of beads · Who is it for? |
|---|---|
| 14 cm | 6 mm: 23 beads · 8 mm: 18 · 10 mm: 14Very slim wrist, teenagers. |
| 16 cm | 6 mm: 27 beads · 8 mm: 20 · 10 mm: 16Slim to medium wrist. |
| 19 cm | 6 mm: 32 beads · 8 mm: 24 · 10 mm: 19Medium to large wrist. |
| 21 cm | 6 mm: 35 beads · 8 mm: 26 · 10 mm: 21Large wrist. |
| 23 cm | 6 mm: 38 beads · 8 mm: 29 · 10 mm: 23Very large wrist. |
Learn more
Measuring your wrist in two minutes
Take a sewing tape measure and wrap it around your wrist just below the bone, where a watch sits. Pull it snug without pressing into the skin, and read the measurement.
No soft tape? A piece of string or a strip of paper works: wrap it around your wrist, mark where the two ends meet, then measure the length with a ruler. You can also measure a bracelet you already wear and like, laid flat, following the centre of the beads.
Between two sizes: which to choose?
It depends on how you like to wear your bracelets. If you like it close to the wrist, take the size closest to your measurement. If you like it to slide a little, to stack with others or to wear alongside a watch, go one size up.
One detail matters: for the same wrist size, the bigger the beads, the more room they take up inside the bracelet. A bracelet with 10 mm beads therefore feels slightly snugger than a 6 mm bracelet of the same size.
6, 8 or 10 mm: which bead size?
6 mm beads make a fine, light bracelet, ideal for a slender wrist, for stacking or for a discreet look. 8 mm is the most versatile choice: the stone is clearly visible without the bracelet being imposing.
10 mm beads show off the stone, its patterns and its flashes; it's often the choice for jaspers, labradorite or tiger's eye, and for larger wrists. Weight also depends on the stone: hematite is heavy, lava stone very light.
Designing with the number of beads
The number of beads changes how you design. On a 19-bead bracelet, a single bead is about 5% of the bracelet: perfect for a touch of colour. For one stone to dominate, plan on at least half the beads.
A symmetrical pattern works best with an odd number, around a central bead. And for a colour gradient, small beads (6 mm) give more nuance, because there are more of them.
Giving a bracelet without knowing the size
The safest option is to discreetly measure a bracelet the person often wears. Otherwise, compare with your own wrist, or choose a medium size and 8 mm beads, the easiest compromise to wear.
Frequently asked questions
Should I add centimetres to my wrist measurement?
In our bracelet builder, the size shown is the wrist size: choose the value closest to your measurement, or the next size up if you like a looser fit.
What bead size for men?
There's no rule, but 8 or 10 mm beads on a 19 cm wrist or more are the most common. Matte beads, such as matte onyx or matte hematite, are also very popular.
My bracelet is too big. What can I do?
An elastic bracelet can be shortened by removing one or two beads and restringing it. One 10 mm bead takes about 1 cm off the bracelet.
Can I mix several bead sizes?
Yes, and it's a lovely way to highlight a stone: a few larger beads in the centre, surrounded by finer ones.
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