The gauge system used in body piercing and ear stretching is one of the most confusing conventions in the body modification world: the larger the gauge number, the smaller the size. It runs backwards from a standard wire gauge system, and at a certain point the system switches entirely to millimetre measurements.
This complete reference covers every size from a standard piercing to the largest common stretched sizes.
Ear stretching gauge sizes run counter-intuitively: 20G is smaller than 14G. The most common starting point for stretching is 14G (1.6mm). Sizes are also measured in mm after the gauge system ends. The commonly cited point of no return is around 10mm (00G) lobes stretched beyond this size typically will not close fully without surgery.
Understanding the Gauge System
The gauge (G) number refers to the thickness of the wire or bar. In the American Wire Gauge system: as the number increases, the diameter decreases. This is counterintuitive but consistent -- a 20G earring is very thin; a 0G plug is quite large.
At sizes above 0G, the gauge system breaks down and sizes are sold in millimetres. The transition: 00G = 10mm. After 00G, sizes are listed as 11mm, 12mm, 14mm, 16mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm, 38mm, 50mm.
Complete Gauge to MM Conversion Chart
| Gauge | Diameter (mm) | Diameter (inches) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20G | 0.81mm | 0.032" | Very fine -- some nostril piercings |
| 18G | 1.02mm | 0.040" | Common nostril and fine ear piercings |
| 16G | 1.19mm | 0.047" | Standard for most ear and facial piercings |
| 14G | 1.63mm | 0.064" | Standard lobe; start of stretching for most |
| 12G | 2.05mm | 0.081" | First stretch for most people |
| 10G | 2.59mm | 0.102" | Noticeably stretched |
| 8G | 3.26mm | 0.128" | Clearly visible gauge |
| 6G | 4.12mm | 0.162" | Significant size; may not close fully |
| 4G | 5.19mm | 0.204" | Clearly stretched |
| 2G | 6.54mm | 0.258" | Large gauge -- will not close for most |
| 0G | 8.25mm | 0.325" | Very large |
| 00G | 9.27mm -- 10mm | 0.365" | Point of no return for most people |
| 7/16" (11mm) | 11mm | 0.4375" | First post-gauge size |
| 1/2" (12.7mm) | 12.7mm | 0.5" | |
| 9/16" (14.3mm) | 14.3mm | 0.5625" | |
| 5/8" (15.9mm) | 15.9mm | 0.625" | |
| 3/4" (19mm) | 19mm | 0.75" | |
| 7/8" (22mm) | 22mm | 0.875" | |
| 1" (25.4mm) | 25.4mm | 1.0" | |
| 32mm+ | 32mm+ | -- | Large / extreme sizes |
The Point of No Return: What the Research Shows
The point of no return is the size beyond which a stretched lobe will not close fully if jewellery is removed. This is not a fixed number -- it varies significantly between individuals based on genetics, how long each size was worn, and overall tissue health. However, the community consensus based on thousands of experiences:
| Size | Typical outcome if jewellery removed for 6+ months |
|---|---|
| Up to 10G (2.4mm) | Will close fully or to a very small gauge for most people |
| 8G-6G (3.2-4mm) | Will reduce significantly; may not close completely |
| 4G-0G (5-8mm) | Will reduce but likely not close; small hole or thin lobe remains |
| 00G (10mm) | Widely cited as the point of no return; most will not close without surgery |
| 12mm+ | Will not close without surgery for virtually everyone |
For the full honest guide on closing stretched ears: Can You Shrink Stretched Ears?
How to Convert Between Gauge and MM
The simplest practical rule: if you know the gauge, use this chart. If you are shopping in Europe, most jewellery is sold in mm after the initial gauges. When ordering online, confirm both the gauge and mm measurement before purchasing sizing conventions can vary between countries and manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gauge is a standard ear piercing?
Most standard lobe piercings are 20G (0.8mm) or 18G (1.0mm) from a gun, or 16G (1.2mm) or 14G (1.6mm) from a professional studio with a needle. Professional needle piercings are the better starting point for stretching.
What size is 00G in mm?
00G is approximately 9.27-10mm, depending on the manufacturer. 10mm is the commonly used practical equivalent.
What gauge should I start stretching from?
From a 16G (1.2mm) or 14G (1.6mm) healed lobe, stretch to 12G (2.0mm) as your first step. Never start from a smaller gauge the jump is too large.
At what gauge do ears not close?
Most people find that lobes stretched beyond 10mm (00G) will not close fully without surgical intervention. Some individuals retain more elasticity; others find lobes will not close from smaller sizes.
Why does the gauge number go down as size goes up?
The gauge system derives from wire manufacturing standards where the number of times wire was drawn through a die determined its thickness more draws produced finer wire with a higher number. It is counterintuitive for body piercing use but is the established convention.