Defining and Visualizing Wedding Band Widths

When talking about wedding band widths, it is essential to know precisely what that means. While ring size refers to the diameter of a wedding band, “width” refers to how thick the actual ring is.

Wedding band widths can vary from a thin 2 millimeters to a generous 20 millimeters. In general, women choose a smaller width while men like a more substantial ring. However, the sky is the limit when it comes to your personal choice, and there is a wide variety of rings available in many different widths.

If it’s hard for you to picture a measurement in millimeters, here is a simple conversion chart to inches:

2 mm = 1/16 inch
4 mm = 1/8 inch
5 mm = 3/16 inch
7 mm = just over 1/4 inch
8 mm = 5/16 inch
10 mm = just over 3/8 inch
12 mm = just under 1/2 inch
20 mm = just under 13/16 inch

There is an easy visualization for wedding band widths that you can try from the comfort of home. All you need to do is picture the width of a nickel, which is nearly 2 millimeters wide.

By stacking two nickels together, you can see what a 4-millimeter wide ring would look like on your finger. Three nickels give you a good idea of a 6-millimeter wide ring, and so on.

Wedding Band Widths for Women

While each person has their unique style, there are specific trends seen when choosing wedding band widths. In general, women prefer a smaller, more delicate band that sits nicely with their engagement ring. A 2-millimeter wedding band (about the width of a nickel) is a popular choice for just this reason.

Three millimeters is a very classic width for a woman’s wedding band. At just about the width of a spaghetti noodle, a ring this size will pair well with your engagement ring but is also substantial enough to be worn alone.

A 4-millimeter wide wedding band is about the width of a linguine noodle. While this is a common choice for men, women may also choose this if they do not wear an engagement ring.

The most common widths for women

The perfect wedding band width for you will be the one that fits and looks best on your hand. However, most women choose a wedding band that is about 2 to 4 millimeters wide.

This 2-millimeter wide wedding band from Amazon is an excellent example of the slim, delicate look of a thinner ring. Many women like this look because it can be worn alone but also stacked with other rings given as future anniversary gifts.

For a great twist on the classic look, this Eternity Knot wedding band is 4 millimeters thick and is a good representation of a more substantial yet beautiful women’s wedding band.

Choosing a wedding ring that complements your engagement ring

Of course, the most important consideration when selecting a woman’s wedding band is to consider what will look best with the engagement ring.

The general rule most women follow is to choose a wedding band that matches the width of her engagement ring. This gives the ring set a balanced and polished look. In fact, some people choose to purchase engagement rings as a set with the wedding ring, so they fit perfectly together, like this stunning set from Amazon.

However, it is not always that simple.

Some engagement rings taper in, getting thinner toward the center. Others may have gems that vary in size, making it difficult to determine the exact width of the ring. If this is the case for you, determine the width of sides of your engagement ring, and attempt to choose a band that matches closely.

Wedding Band Widths for Men

While it is the bride’s ring that generally gets the most attention and holds the most sparkle, we would be remiss to overlook the groom. Men’s wedding bands vary greatly in the metal used and the detail on them.

In general, wedding band widths are usually thicker for the groom. This is especially true for men with larger finger sizes. They find that a wider ring feels more comfortable on their hand. However, men with thinner fingers may prefer a smaller ring that better complements their hand.

A ring with a width of 2 or 3 millimeters will look very delicate in comparison to a man’s hand. If you are looking for an understated ring that does not draw much attention, this may be the perfect wedding band width.

Keep in mind that some men may find rings uncomfortable because they are not used to wearing them. In this instance, a thinner ring of 2 to 4 millimeters may feel less intrusive on your finger.

Another consideration to make is a man’s lifestyle and habits. If he works a job or has hobbies that will put a lot of wear and tear on the ring, a thicker wedding band width may be your safest bet. While a thinner ring is more prone to break, a band of 6 or 8 millimeters will withstand more damage.

This 8-millimeter Tungsten Carbide ring is an excellent example of a durable and solid design.

The most common widths for men

Most men choose wedding band widths between 4 and 6 millimeters. This size ring is generally the perfect balance between looking substantial on a man’s hand without being too large for comfort.

Designed for comfort with beveled edges, this 6-millimeter tungsten carbide ring will look great and fit perfectly.

This titanium ring comes in sizes as small as 2 millimeters but as thick as 8 millimeters so you can really get a good feel for a broad range of wedding band widths.

A Few Additional Considerations

While we have covered the general trends in wedding band widths for both men and women, there are a few other things to consider when making your decision.

If you are looking to buy a wedding band with inlaid diamonds, that may affect the width of the band. A popular trend is to have a thin band inlaid entirely with diamonds. These wedding band widths may not be more than 2 millimeters but encircling your finger completely with diamonds is a gorgeous look.

You may wish to have your wedding bands engraved with your wedding date or some other significant information. A ring of only a few millimeters may not be wide enough for engraving. Keep in mind that your wedding band widths need to be substantial enough to incorporate that engraving.

Keep these particular things in mind as you shop, so you are not disappointed at the last minute.

The Bottom Line for Wedding Band Widths

Ultimately, you want to choose a ring that is the perfect mix of both comfort and style. Your wedding ring will be worn every day. Thinking practically about your lifestyle and habits will ensure you choose a wedding band that is best for you.

For women, it is wise to take the engagement ring into account and choose a wedding band width similar to the engagement ring. Women also prefer wedding band widths that are smaller, just 2 to 4 millimeters.

The wedding band width that is most suitable for a man can vary greatly. It depends on the size of their fingers, their routine, and their comfort while wearing the ring. Wedding band widths of 4 to 6 millimeters are most common, though there are definitely a variety of options to try.

Above all, when choosing wedding band widths remember that your comfort and happiness is most important. So much about your wedding day tends to be about pleasing other people, but when choosing these rings, the symbol of your devotion, remember to pick what works best for you as a couple.

Choose a ring you love with the one you love, and you’ll never second-guess the wedding band width.

What wedding band widths do you like the best? Tell us about your decision in the comments section.