Ear Gauge Size Chart
May 27, 2022 / by Alex Peace
What is a 00 gauge plug? Why do some people call them 1/2 inch and others call them 13mm? Welcome to the world of ear gauge sizing. We know that sizing the gauge of your ears might be confusing. If you are new to the world of ear stretching we want you to understand all the terms when it comes to gauges and ear sizing.
We have listed some of the most common Ear Gauge sizes for stretched ears. Typical sizing for stretched ears is measured in either ear gauge, millimeters, and/or inches. Most people refer to smaller size stretched ears in gauge. Once they reach above 00 gauge people size their stretched ears in either millimeters or inches.
We recommend knowing your ear gauge size in millimeters. As we describe below most plugs are carved in millimeters. It will help to know your ear gauge size in millimeters for this reason alone. We did want to show you the conversion of the millimeters into gauges and inch as shown in the "ear gauge size chart"
Two of the most common sizes people refer to when talking about stretched ears are 0 gauge and 00 gauge. These two gauge sizes seem to be the most common stopping point for the majority of our customers.
Keep in mind there are 7mm and 9mm plug sizes. This is a common size that people skip when they are stretching between 2g to 0g and also 0g to 00g. You can help stretch your ears properly if you do not skip sizes.
What is an Ear Gauge?
The term gauge is actually a measurement. Some people refer to ear plugs as gauges, but in reality, it is a term referring to the size of your plug. Gauge sizes for your ear start at a higher number and go to a low number. Most standard piercings begin at 20 gauge or 18 gauge. If you are starting to stretch your ear this is typically the beginning point. Your first stretch for your ear will typically be at 14 gauge and then 12 gauge. You work your way up to 00 gauge.
When you look at the "Ear Gauge Size Chart" you will see that after 00 gauge you start to move into inches. So after 00 gauge, the next increment would be 7/16 inch plugs. Now the term "gauge sizes" will be no more and you will refer to your stretch size increments in either millimeters or inches.
The fact that ear stretching is done all around the world some of the terms used for ear gauge sizing can be confusing. There are basically three units of measurement that people use while stretching their ears. Most people use either GAUGE, MILLIMETERS, or INCHES.
Most people in the USA use Gauges in the smaller sizes and then inches in the larger sizes. Confusion will start to set in because most all plugs are actually made in millimeters. In order to speak in the American language, the plugs need to be converted to inches. This has always been a hot topic (especially when it comes to 1/2").
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Know your ear plug size in millimeters
We recommend knowing your plug size in millimeters. Why is it important to learn your plug size in millimeters? We know everyone in the USA love to speak in Inches, but the reality is the majority of plugs are carved in millimeters. The companies that sell plugs online convert millimeters into inches.
If you refer to everything in gauges and inches you typically will be ok up until 00 gauge. Once you hit inches issues start to happen. We find the most common issue is how customers and other plug companies define their half-inch plug. We have found companies selling 12mm and 13mm plugs as 1/2". Others have made 12.7mm plugs to add to the confusion. There are now 12mm, 12.7mm, and 13mm out on the market being referred to as half-inch plugs. If you order half-inch from a company that defines their half-inch as 12mm and then order from another company that defines their half-inch as 13mm your ears will not like you.
Two Feather Plugs refer to our 13mm plugs as our 1/2", but we tell everyone to just measure and buy everything in millimeters. Otherwise, you are going to run into sizing issues. Here is the breakdown on the conversions of the 1/2".
12.0mm = 0.472 inches
12.7mm = 0.5 inches = 1/2"
13mm = 0.51 inches = 33/64" (FYI: 1/2" = 32/64")
Americans like to do everything in inches. I totally get it, but if you order everything in millimeters you are not going to run into issues. Measure your current plugs in millimeters and purchase the plugs based on this size.
Please remember to always move slowly when stretching your ears. For more information please click... Stretch your ears Slowly
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