Watch size guide: what size watch for my wrist? (calculator and chart)

Choosing the right size is the difference between a watch that looks made for you and one that looks borrowed. Enter your wrist measurement below to see the case sizes that suit you and watches in stock in your size. Don't know your wrist size? Here's how to measure it in a minute, with a piece of paper.

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Watch size chart

Our rule of thumb for case size and lug-to-lug, by wrist size. It's a guide, not a rule: a slim dress watch can go a little bigger, and a wide, flat case a little smaller.

How to measure your wrist

1. Wrap something around your wrist just above the wrist bone, where you'd wear the watch: a soft tape measure, or a strip of paper or a piece of string.
2. Mark where it overlaps, snug but not tight.
3. Measure the length with a ruler. That's your wrist size; enter it in the calculator above.

Buying a gift? Measure a watch they already wear instead: the case size is often printed on the case back. Our watch gifts for him and for her have more tips.

Case size isn't the whole story: lug to lug

The case size (or diameter) is the width of the case, not counting the crown. But how big a watch looks depends just as much on its lug-to-lug: the length from the tip of the top lugs to the tip of the bottom ones. If it's longer than the flat top of your wrist, the lugs overhang the sides and the watch looks too big, whatever its diameter.

Real examples, from the brands' own measurements:

Measurements from Omega's website. The two 42mm Omegas differ by more than 2mm in lug-to-lug, so the Planet Ocean wears shorter than the Diver 300M of the same diameter.

Thickness matters too

A thick watch sits higher on the wrist and is harder to slide under a shirt cuff. The brands' own figures show the range: the 25mm Tissot PRX is 9.05mm thick, according to Tissot, while the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph above is 17.2mm. For a watch to wear with a suit, look for under about 11mm; see our best dress watches.

Tips for small wrists

• Look at the lug-to-lug first, then the diameter.
• Avoid wide, flat cases and integrated bracelets if you're at the top of your size range: they wear bigger than their number.
• A strap makes a watch look smaller than a chunky bracelet.

Our best watches for small wrists has the best picks under 38mm, and our Tissot PRX guide compares the 35mm and 40mm on the wrist.

Tips for large wrists

• A small watch looks smaller still: on wrists over about 19.5cm, 42mm and up usually looks right.
• Bracelets need extra links for larger wrists: ask the retailer when you buy.
• Chronographs and dive watches come in the biggest sizes; see which Omega Seamaster to buy and our chronographs under £1,000.