Ear Stretching Sizes: Find Your Perfect Fit Stretching Piercings

Stretching ears sizes (Ear Stretching Sizes) range from 20g (0.03" or 0.81 mm) to 2" (51 mm) and beyond. The sizes are used in the measurement system for ear stretching jewelry. Sizes for stretching utilize the Gauge (g or ga) measurement system in the US which can easily be converted to both metric (millimeters) and imperial (inches) measurement systems. Understanding the nuances of stretching sizes is critical on your journey towards achieving a perfect stretched ear piercing.

Sizes are vital in the process of stretching ears as the jewelry size you select matches with the size-up of the current piercing hole size of your lobes, when stretching. From tiny piercing holes to tremendous stretched ears, get familiar with sizes of ear piercing stretching.

 

 

Since 2006, PlugYourHoles.com has been the #1 source for stretching jewelry online and has helped countless people navigate the various body jewelry sizes so customers can find the perfect fit to match their style.

As an extension to our customer support, we offer the guide to help you better understand the sizes used in stretching, helping you use the sizing charts and conversion tables (from G to mm to in), finding jewelry in your appropriate size, learning about jumps in sizes, and more.

 

How to use an ear stretching size chart and conversion tables?

An ear gauge size chart is a great reference for comparing the gauge sizes amongst each other, and selecting the size you need. By analyzing your current gauge size, you can reference the gauge measurement system used for ear gauge sizes to cross-reference when planning to graduate to larger gauge sizes by wearing larger sized jewelry in the earlobes.

Charts and tables offer the following benefits:

1. Sizes work by giving you an objective measurement, which turns into a stretching goal, between the normal size of your standard ear piercings (typically the original size of the piercings, if you're just starting to stretch) to a larger size, perfect for the type of jewelry you want to wear.
2. When sizing-up, remember to never do jumps between sizes. You can ensure to size ear plugs up appropriately, and not jump sizes when stretching, by referencing the conversion chart.
3. Use your selected unit of measurement to match the needs of your earlobes, and cross-reference to convert in desired measurement units using the measuring systems of Gauge, Millimeters or Inches.

When you know how to match-up your desired gauge size to that on a chart, you can simultaneously see your progress while shopping for the jewelry designs in your preferred size.

 

Ear Stretching Conversion Chart: Gauge (G) to Millimeter (mm) to Inch (in)

Conversion Charts are used when stretching ears, and they are frequently needed when comparing available sizes shopping for jewelry online. The Gauge (g) Size goes to a certain point, but if you keep stretching, you'll need to switch to either millimeters (mm) or inches (in) to measure your stretched ear jewelry. Get your gauge size in millimeters or inches with ease with an explanation of the conversions below.

Unit of Measurement	Overview
Gauges	The gauge system ranges from 20g to 00g. Remember, a higher number means a slightly smaller size.
Millimeters	Millimeters (mm) is a unit of measurement for length, using the International System of Units.After 00g, millimeters are one of the two measurements available on the sizing charts.
Inches	Inches (in) is a unit of measurement for length, using the Imperial System of Units. After stretching past 00g, inches are one of the remaining measurements available on the sizing charts.

Now that you're a stretching up like a pro, you can confidently choose the right size of jewelry for your own ears stretched ears.

 

How do I find the appropriate size jewelry for my stretched ears?

Find the proper size jewelry for your stretched ears by selecting your size and jewelry style.

Body piercing jewelry is simple to measure using the size chart. Choosing the right jewelry is key to a comfortable and successful experience. Luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from, including plugs, tunnels, earrings, and hangers.

Don't just shove anything in the ear holes and hope it fits. Below are popular body jewelry items organized in a table to help you get a better idea based on your current lobe size.

Jewelry Type	Size Range
Standard earrings	20g - 16g
Plugs and tunnels - ear plug selection includes single flare jewelry like single flare plug options, double flare plugs and ear tunnels	16g - 2"
Heavy jewelry - includes larger plugs, large flared plugs, heavy gold earrings, etc	Any size when having healed earlobes

By knowing your gauge size and jewelry type, you can then browse for options made with the right materials before selecting your products.

 

How to Choose Materials and Size

Body jewelry arriving at a different size can be a pain, and sometimes it's based on the type of jewelry material made for that size. At Plug Your Holes, we have uniform practice for ensuring you get the size you choose in the most painless way, but you still want to be aware when shopping around for options.

Founder of Plug Your Holes covers more on the topic, here:

From beginners to pros, find the perfect jewelry fit for your stretched ears by choosing your materials wisely. Since PlugYourHoles.com utilizes a standard approach to sizing, recommended stretching materials for each stage of your gauge size stretching journey are available for you.

When starting out with smaller gauges (18g-14g), go for stainless steel or glass plugs. They're smooth and aid in healing. As you progress to larger sizes, silicone tunnels (okay to wear after completely healed stretches) become more popular because they're lightweight yet durable. After selecting your type of material, gradually increase your jewelry size by one gauge at a time to allow for safe and comfortable tissue expansion.

When stretching your ears to larger sizes, it's important to be mindful to continue lubricating the lobes for safe stretching. A lubricant for ear stretching such as Ear Butter or jojoba oil helps when making your size transitions.

Choosing the right materials and sizes for your jewelry can be a breeze, you just need to monitor your progress and ensure you're not jumping sizes. Too big of jumps in sizes of jewelry can cause unnecessary risks along your journey for stretched ears.

 

Is 0g to 00g a big jump?

Yes, it can be a big jump for some people. Going from 0g to 00g means stretching your earlobe by about 2mm, instead of 1mm, which can be a challenge for some. The use of 9mm plugs (which is an in-between size of 0g and 00g sizes) is an option, too.

Stretching too fast can damage the earlobe and surrounding skin making it difficult maintain healthy lobes during the stretching process. Jumping sizes is another concern because the larger sized jewelry can negatively impact blood flow resulting in broken blood vessels or worse, if the earlobe hole isn't ready for the additional weight (from the jewelry). Properly stretching the layers of skin during each phase of stretching helps you to avoid the common stretching complications with earlobes along with ensuring the lobes are ready to advance to additional stretches in the future.

 

What comes after 00g?

After 00g, fractions of an inch (or its millimeters equivalent) are used, as the maximum gauge size only goes up to 00g. 7/16" (or 11mm) is the next size after 00g in the sizing chart.

The next sizes after 00g (up to 1") are found on stretching sizing charts are shown below.

Millimeters	Inches
11 mm	7/16"
12 mm	1/2"
14 mm	9/16"
16 mm	5/8"
19 mm	3/4"
22 mm	7/8"
25 mm	1"

 

Can You Use an Ear Stretching Chart After 1 Inch?

Yes, though many charts online are only helpful up to 1 inch (25mm), at Plug Your Holes, we provide the chart measurements up to 2" (51 mm).

 

What else to know about Stretching Ears Sizes and Measurements?

Ear stretching sizes and measurements refer to the different dimensions used to classify the earlobe piercing hole expansion when stretching.

With sizes, the gauge system is commonly used for smaller sizes, with the scale typically running from 20g (the smallest) to 00g (the largest). A smaller gauge number indicates a larger size. Any size larger than 00g is referenced in millimeters or inches.

Ear Stretching Measurements involves measuring the diameter of the earlobe piercing to determine the appropriate size of jewelry for stretching. This can be done at home using a simple tape measure or caliper. It's important to measure accurately to ensure safe and comfortable stretching.

 

What size to start stretching ears?

You can start at your current size and begin stretching to the next size up. Typically, 14-16g is the gauge range for those new to earlobe piercing stretching. 14g is typically the first gauge size to aim for after your initial piercing has fully healed, though many people opt for 16g sized jewelry instead in order to be on the safe side. Remember, starting at an appropriate gauge size for jewelry is crucial for maintaining healthy stretched ears for years to come.

Keep in mind, natural stretching occurs simply with the use of any earring jewelry, though the process can be quickened using a variety of any of the common stretching methods. The process of ear stretching involves various safe stretching methods which you might want to explore throughout your ear stretching journey. You can go from one stretching method to another.

 

How long do you wait between sizes when stretching ears?

The wait time between stretching to different sizes varies between 4 weeks to 8 months, depending on how well your lobes heal and adjust to the new size. For stretching up to 12g (2 mm or 0.079"), wait 1 to 2 months before advancing to the next size. For stretching to 10g (2.4 mm or 0.094") and larger sizes, wait 3 months (or more) dependent on where you are in the stretching journey. This helps to give the earlobes enough time to thicken before stretching again.

By considering the timeline for ear stretching, you get a better idea for how to stretch efficiently, while being effective in ensuring your earlobes remain healthy throughout the stretching process as slow and steady stretching minimizes the potential for issues, and ensures a healthier, more enjoyable experience.

 

Where do sizes for stretched ears come from?

Ear stretching sizes come from gauge size notation which is derived from other industries that measure wire thickness. These practices evolved into modern body modification techniques with standardized measurements in gauges (g), millimeters (mm), or inches (in). The gauge measuring system now ranges from 20g (smallest) to 00g (largest of gauge notation), while larger sizes (bigger than 00g) are usually expressed in mm or inches.

The practice of ear stretching itself, though, comes from traditional practices of indigenous cultures worldwide. Used by mankind spanning most continents, the origins of ear stretching are rich with stories about King Tut to Fulani people to Nilotic people to more cultures -- all having had their own spin on jewelry for stretched ears, and the way sizing of earlobes has now become standardized from the culmination of all of these tribes is even more remarkable today.

 

Earlobe Sizing Takeaway

Sizes for earlobe stretching vary as each unit of measurement is different, but you can always convert sizes back and forth using the metric and imperial systems. Always be safe when stretching, and never skip sizes intentionally. If you have a lobe ready to stretch, then use the appropriate size. Personalizing your journey, choose the right sized jewelry for you and your lobes.

Disclaimer: Any statements made within this website are based on a combination of vast professional experience, common sense, along with extensive research and practice. No products produced, manufactured, marketed, or distributed are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, and should not be misconstrued as medical advice. If you suspect a medical emergency, seek professional attention. Consult your physician before beginning any piercing stretching, if you suspect any concern based on personal circumstances.

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