MEASURING YOUR TRAGUS/HELIX PIERCING FOR A HOOP EARRING
This is a really easy measurement to take! In a straight line, measure the distance from the piercing hole to the edge of the cartilage - this will be the smallest inner diameter that you can wear, and it will fit snugly. If you are going to get a beaded hoop, make sure that you add 1mm to this measurement to accommodate the size of the beads that I use.
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR TRAGUS, HELIX, CONCH OR LOBE PIERCING FOR A LABRET STUD
To purchase a labret stud for your cartilage piercing or earlobe, you will need to know the following:
- The gauge that you wear. Gauge is how thick the post is.
- How much wearable length you need. Wearable length is the part of the post that is actually inside your piercing - this is different from the total length of the post.
The easiest way to obtain these measurements is to simply ask your piercer to help you, but if that isn't an option you're not out of luck.
HOW TO MEASURE THE GAUGE OF YOUR EARRING
To find out what gauge you wear, simply use a caliper to measure how thick the stud is that you are currently wearing - the two most common gauges used for tragus piercings are 18 gauge (approx. 1.0mm thick) and 16 gauge (approx. 1.3mm thick). You must use a caliper to measure the gauge, a ruler will not work for this step.
How to Determine Which Wearable Length You Need
Next, you can move on to finding out how much wearable length you need. There are three ways to do this:
- Caliper method: Use a caliper to measure how thick the cartilage is in the location of your piercing - this will be the wearable length that you wear. This method of measuring will work best for lobe, tragus, and some helix piercings (not all).
- Ruler method: Use a regular post earring and a marker. Insert the earring, mark where the post comes out of your piercing, then take the earring out. Now, you will be able to measure the marked portion of the post with a ruler (in millimeters).
- Measuring a labret stud you already have: If you already have a labret post that fits you very well but you can't remember what size it is just use a ruler to measure the length. Don't forget - the back disc of the labret stud is not included when you're measuring the length!
