Convert ear gauge sizes to approximate millimeters using a rounded body jewelry chart or precise AWG formula for piercings and sizing.

Ear Gauge to MM Converter

Enter a gauge size to calculate the approximate diameter in millimeters.

Use -1 for 00g, -2 for 000g, and so on.

Note: In ear piercing, a smaller gauge number means thicker jewelry. Common body jewelry charts round the millimeter sizes for convenience.

Ear Gauge to MM Formula

The following formula is used to estimate the diameter in millimeters from an ear gauge size using the American Wire Gauge (AWG) relationship.

d(mm) \approx 0.127 \times 92^{(36-g)/39}

Variables:

  • d(mm) is the diameter in millimeters
  • g is the gauge number
  • 0g uses g = 0
  • 00g uses g = -1
  • 000g uses g = -2

To calculate ear gauge size in millimeters, substitute the gauge number into the formula above. Many body jewelry charts round the final millimeter value to a common jewelry size for easier reference.

What is Ear Gauge to MM Conversion?

Ear gauge to mm conversion is the process of translating a jewelry gauge size, such as 18g, 8g, 2g, or 00g, into its approximate diameter in millimeters. Ear gauges follow the American Wire Gauge system, where smaller gauge numbers indicate thicker jewelry. Because the system is not linear, the conversion from gauge to millimeters is best handled with a reference chart or the AWG equation.

For example, 18g is about 1.02 mm, 14g is about 1.63 mm, and 2g is about 6.54 mm when calculated using the AWG formula. Jewelry charts often round these values to cleaner numbers such as 1.0 mm, 1.6 mm, or 6.0 mm.

How to Convert Ear Gauge to MM?

The following steps outline how to convert an ear gauge size to millimeters.

  1. First, determine the ear gauge size you want to convert, such as 20g, 18g, 8g, 0g, or 00g.
  2. Next, decide whether to use a rounded body jewelry chart or the exact AWG formula.
  3. Then, calculate the diameter in millimeters using d(mm) ≈ 0.127 × 92(36 − g)/39, or look up the rounded chart value.
  4. Finally, compare the result with the calculator above to verify the approximate millimeter diameter.

Ear Gauge to MM Conversion Table

The table below shows common ear gauge sizes and their approximate diameters in millimeters using the AWG-based relationship.

Gauge Size Typical Labeling Diameter in MM (AWG)
20g small starter lobe piercing 0.81 mm
18g standard lobe jewelry 1.02 mm
16g slightly thicker lobe / cartilage 1.29 mm
14g heavier lobe or small stretching 1.63 mm
12g early stretching size 2.05 mm
10g moderate stretch 2.59 mm
8g common stretched lobe size 3.26 mm
6g larger stretched lobe 4.11 mm
4g noticeably stretched lobe 5.19 mm
2g large stretched lobe 6.54 mm
0g very large gauge 8.25 mm
00g also written 2/0 9.27 mm

Different manufacturers may round these values slightly. For example, some charts list 8g as 3.0 mm while others list it as 3.2 mm. Understanding the AWG formula makes it easier to compare jewelry sizing charts and stretching increments.

Example Problem:

Use the following values as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Gauge Size = 18g

Reference Scale = AWG Formula

Diameter in MM ≈ 1.02 mm