What size watch fits your wrist?
Type your wrist circumference and see the case sizes that sit in proportion on it. Free, no signup.
| Wrist circumference | Wrist size | Case diameter | Max lug-to-lug |
|---|---|---|---|
| under 5.5 in (14 cm) | extra small | 28–34 mm | 42 mm |
| 5.5–6 in (14–15.2 cm) | small | 32–36 mm | 44 mm |
| 6–6.5 in (15.2–16.5 cm) | small | 34–38 mm | 46 mm |
| 6.5–7 in (16.5–17.8 cm) | medium | 36–40 mm | 48 mm |
| 7–7.5 in (17.8–19.1 cm) | medium | 38–42 mm | 50 mm |
| 7.5–8 in (19.1–20.3 cm) | large | 40–44 mm | 52 mm |
| 8–8.5 in (20.3–21.6 cm) | large | 42–46 mm | 54 mm |
| 8.5 in (21.6 cm) and over | extra large | 44–48 mm | 56 mm |
A watch fits when it sits on the flat top of your wrist without hanging over the edges. Two numbers decide that: the case diameter, which is the size every watch is sold by, and the lug-to-lug, the distance from the tip of the top lugs to the tip of the bottom ones. A case that suits your wrist looks deliberate; one that is too big looks borrowed, one that is too small looks lost.
As a rule of thumb, every half inch of wrist adds about 2 mm of case. The calculator turns your wrist into a range rather than one number, because design moves the needle: a thin bezel and a big dial wear larger, a wide bezel and a small dial wear smaller, and a thick case looks bigger than its diameter says.
Watch roundups
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The best watches for small wrists for men
Six men's watches that fit a small wrist (under about 6.75 in): 34 to 38 mm cases, from a Casio F-91W to a hand-wound Hamilton field watch.
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The best women's watches for small wrists
Six women's watches in proportion with a small wrist (under about 6 in): 22 to 29 mm wide cases, slim rectangles and one smartwatch that doesn't swamp you.
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The best everyday watches
Five everyday watches that go with most of what you wear and survive a knock: an automatic, two quartz watches, a G-Shock and a smartwatch.
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The best dress watches
Five dress watches that slide under a shirt cuff: slim cases and clean dials, from an entry-level automatic to a Cartier Tank.
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The best field watches
Five field watches: legible, tough and modestly sized, from a watch built to US military spec to a light-powered quartz.
Found your watch? See the rest of the look on you
Try hats, glasses and earrings on your own selfie at AccessorySuggestions. Your first try-on is free with a free account.
Try on a look- 1
Measure your wrist
Wrap a soft tape measure around your wrist just above the wrist bone, snug but not tight. No tape? Use a strip of paper, mark where it overlaps and lay it on a ruler.
- 2
Type it in
Enter the measurement and pick inches or cm.
- 3
Shop by the range
Look for watches whose case diameter falls in your range and whose lug-to-lug stays under the maximum. Both numbers are on every watch's spec sheet.
FAQ
What size watch should I get for a 6-inch wrist?
A case of about 34 to 38 mm, with a lug-to-lug under 46 mm. Vintage-sized and many dress watches fit; most dive and sports watches at 42 mm and up overhang a 6-inch wrist.
What is lug-to-lug, and why does it matter?
It is the length of the watch from the end of the top lugs to the end of the bottom ones. If it is longer than the flat top of your wrist, the lugs hang over the sides, however small the case diameter is.
Do men's and women's watches use different sizes?
Fit depends on the wrist, not on who wears it. Women's watches are often smaller by convention, and many people of every gender now wear 34 to 38 mm cases. Use your wrist size, then pick the style you like.
Is a 40 mm watch too big for a small wrist?
Often, below about 6.5 inches. A 40 mm watch with short, curved lugs and a slim case can work; one with a wide dial and long, straight lugs will look oversized.