Ear Gauge Size Guide: Complete Chart for Stretched Ears

Bottom line: ear gauge sizes are easiest to choose by millimeters, not by gauge number alone. Gauge numbers get smaller as jewelry gets larger, then most sizing switches to fractions of an inch. If you are buying plugs, tunnels, hangers, or weights from PunkPlugs, match the diameter of your healed piercing to the product size shown in millimeters. You can also compare against the PunkPlugs Size Chart before ordering.

Ear gauge size chart: gauge, millimeters, and inches

How do I measure my current ear gauge size?

The most accurate method is to measure the wearable diameter of jewelry that already fits comfortably. Use a digital caliper if possible and measure across the center of the plug or tunnel, edge to edge, in millimeters. Do not measure the outer flare on double-flared jewelry; measure the center wearable area that actually sits inside your lobe.

If you do not have calipers, compare your current jewelry to the printed dimensions on the size chart page. Avoid guessing by photos because camera angle, flare shape, and decorative fronts can make jewelry look larger or smaller than it is.

What size should beginners start with?

Most beginners start from a standard pierced-ear size and work up slowly. Common early stretch milestones are 16g, 14g, 12g, 10g, 8g, and 6g. Many PunkPlugs decorative products start at larger healed sizes such as 2g (6mm), 0g (8mm), or 00g (10mm), so new stretchers should treat those as long-term goals rather than first-step sizes.

If you are already healed at 2g or larger, browse stretched-ear styles such as Flat-Flared Threaded Ear Tunnels, Horror Ear Tunnels, and the full Ear Tunnels collection.

How do I size up safely?

Size up one step at a time, wait until your lobes are fully healed, and never force jewelry through resistance. A healthy stretch should feel like pressure at most, not sharp pain. Many people wait several weeks or longer between small stretches and longer between larger jumps. If your ear is sore, swollen, bleeding, or producing unusual discharge, stop stretching and let it recover before trying again.

What are the most common sizing mistakes?

• Buying by gauge number only: always confirm the millimeter size.
• Confusing 0g and 00g: 0g is about 8mm, while 00g is about 10mm.
• Measuring the flare: measure the wearable center, not the lip of the jewelry.
• Skipping sizes: jumping too quickly can irritate or damage lobes.
• Using heavy jewelry to stretch: hangers and weights are for healed ears, not forced stretching.

FAQ: ear gauge sizing

Is 00g bigger than 0g?

Yes. 0g is approximately 8mm, and 00g is approximately 10mm.

Should I choose inches or millimeters?

Use millimeters whenever possible because it is more precise and matches most PunkPlugs product variants.

What if my two ears are different sizes?

Order the size that fits each healed lobe. If a listing allows single pieces, choose singles; if it is sold as a pair, contact PunkPlugs before ordering if you need a mixed-size set.