Watch Size Guide: Which Size Watch is Best for You? (2024)

FAQs

Watch Size Guide: Which Size Watch is Best for You? ›

Here are some suggested guidelines based on our own experiences: a six-inch wrist is generally considered “smaller,” so a case size in the range of 34mm to 38mm would be appropriate; an “average”-sized wrist, generally around 7 to 7 ½ inches, can accommodate a larger watch, from around 39mm to about 42mm or even 43mm.

Here are some suggested guidelines based on our own experiences: a six-inch wrist is generally considered “smaller,” so a case size in the range of 34mm to 38mm would be appropriate; an “average”-sized wrist, generally around 7 to 7 ½ inches, can accommodate a larger watch, from around 39mm to about 42mm or even 43mm.

The standard bracelet size for women varies, but the average female bracelet size is often around 7 inches. Explore our size guide to learn more. Finding the perfect bracelet size is crucial for women who seek both comfort and style in their jewelry.

Conclusion. A 38 mm watch size does not have to be too small for men. It depends on individual preferences, wrist size, and the context in which the watch will be worn.

6 inch wrist – Small to medium diameter cases around 34-38mm. 7 to 7.5 inch wrist – Considered average mens wrist size. 38-42mm range will fit best. 8 inch and larger – Considered a large wrist size.

To achieve the perfect fit, consider the two-finger rule: when wearing the watch, you should be able to comfortably slide two fingers between the watchband and your wrist. This guideline allows for adequate breathing space while ensuring the watch stays in place.

Typically, men's watches tend to range between 38mm to 46mm and women's from 26mm and 36mm. Those that sit outside these ranges could appear too large or too small however, personal preference can come into play should you prefer the oversized look for your watch.

Like men, women can also wear larger watches provided that the watch face is not too big for their taste and that the thickness of the bezel does not make it appear too chunky on their arm. Wristwatch cases with diameters of 40mm to 44mm usually look good on average-sized women.

For both genders, WrC linearly increases with age (13.0 to 16.8 cm for boys and 12.5 to15. 5 cm for girls, respectively for 6 and 17 years). In boys and girls, the mean ± standard deviation of WrC is 13.00±0.89 cm and 12.48±0.93 cm (6 years) and increases to 16.83±1.16 and 15.58± 0.86 cm (17 years), respectively.

DO care about proportions. It's simple: small wrist = watch between 34mm and 40mm, large wrist = watch from 38mm and up. In a nutshell, wrists that have a circumference of 16cm – 18cm are standard normal-sized wrists. Anything less is considered small and over 18cm are large.

What is the most common wrist size? ›

I sent a poll to all StrapHabit subscribers to share their wrist sizes, and have compiled the results. The data is shown below. As you can see, the majority of people were between 6.5 and 7.5 inches. A few were under 5.5, and no one who responded was over 8.5 inches.

If we break it down to stereotypical categories, then anything under 37 mm diameter would be put into boxes such as “jewelry/elegant category” and “women's size watch”. Meanwhile, the rest are “men's size watches”. Watches above 46 mm are “oversized” and are mostly created for “flashy and very bold” outfits.

To choose the right size involves a little more math (but you can get away with eyeballing it). Look for a lug-to-lug distance that is about 75 to 95% of the width of your wrist. Another consideration is whether the lugs are flat or curved. This will play a role in how the watch lays on your wrist.

The lugs should not go beyond the ends of the wearer's wrist. In other words, there should be no “overhang” of the lugs. It is crucial to consider the lug-to-lug distance in conjunction with the case diameter. A watch with a 42mm case and stubby lugs will wear “smaller” than a 38mm case with extended lugs.

As you shouldn't wear a watch too big for your wrist, it goes the same for a watch that's too small. It will look like a toy, which is funny, but not your goal when you're in public. When in doubt, just remember one thing: Always match the watch to your wrist, not the other way around.

Watches above 46 mm are “oversized” and are mostly created for “flashy and very bold” outfits. Generally, watch case diameter is small to medium when it's 32 mm – 41 mm and large cases are the ones with 44 mm - 46 mm. Measuring your wrist might help to estimate the right case diameter.

A 44mm watch face is about 1.7” across, which is a good proportion for a 7-8” wrist size. So this is a fairly standard size for a men's watch: 44mm across.