Bracelet Sizes Guide

© by Rena Klingenberg; all rights reserved

Helpful guidelines for bracelet sizes when you're making jewelry. Also, see my tips below for making them fit better, and for making designs that fit most people's wrists.

Most Common: 7 inches (17.8 cm)

Average: 6.5 - 8 inches (16.5 - 20.3 cm)

Size Range: 5 - 10 inches (12.7 - 25.4 cm) (in my experience)

Most Common: 9 inches (22.0 cm)

Average: 9 - 10 inches (22.9 - 25.4 cm)

Size Range: 8 - 11 inches (16.5 - 27.9 cm) (in my experience)

Most Common: 8 inches (20.3 cm)

Average: 8 - 9 inches (20.3 - 22.9 cm)

Size Range: 7.5 - 10.5 inches (19.0 - 26.7 cm) (in my experience)

1. Wrap a flexible tape measure snugly (but not tightly) around the part of the wrist where you intend to wear the bracelet. Write down the inches or cm you've just measured.
2. Add 1 inch (2.5 cm) to come up with the total length of your bracelet, from end to end, including the clasp. If you'll be using small beads or components, you're done - that's your bracelet size!
3. If you're using bulky beads (such as 10 mm rounds) all the way around the bracelet, you'll need to add a little extra to your total length. (Big beads take up extra space on the inside of the bracelet when it's fastened on your wrist, making it uncomfortably tight unless you allow extra length to make up for their bulk.)

So if you're using chunky beads, measure the diameter of one of the bulky beads, straight across from hole to hole. Multiply this number by 3, and add it to the bracelet length you had at the end of step 2. That's your new total bracelet length to accommodate the chunky beads in your design.

You don't always get to measure the wrist of the person who will wind up wearing your bracelet.

So if you're making bracelets to sell at shows or home parties, or for a surprise gift for someone special, you may prefer to make designs that can comfortably fit a variety of wrist sizes.

Here are some ideas for making "one-size-fits-most" bracelets:

• leather, hemp, or waxed cotton cord bracelet with sliding knots
• adjustable closure (such as an extender chain) that allows the wearer to choose the most comfortable length
• stretch bracelet with elastic cord
• C-shaped cuff bracelet that expands and contracts to wrap comfortably around the wrist
• memory wire.