Quick answer: Earring gauge measures post thickness: a lower gauge number means a thicker post. 16G is thicker than 18G, which is thicker than 20G and 22G. Match jewellery to the healed piercing rather than forcing a size change.
What Does Gauge Mean?
Gauge is a thickness system used for jewellery wire and piercing posts. It can feel counterintuitive because the number gets smaller as the post gets thicker. Gauge is not the same as post length or stud-front size.
16G, 18G, 20G and 22G
16G and 18G are common in many professional piercing jewellery systems, while 20G and 22G are often seen in finer fashion-earring posts. These are not universal rules: the original piercing method, anatomy and jewellery system determine what fits.
Gauge vs Millimetres
Approximate metric equivalents are useful when comparing listings: 16G is about 1.2 mm, 18G about 1.0 mm, 20G about 0.8 mm and 22G about 0.6 mm. Manufacturing tolerances can vary, so use the seller’s stated measurement when precision matters.
Gauge Is Not Post Length
A post can be thick but short, or fine but long. Gauge determines diameter; wearable length determines how much post passes through tissue. When choosing flat backs or labret-style jewellery, check both values.
Do Not Force a Different Gauge
If a post does not pass easily through a healed piercing, stop rather than pushing harder. Deliberate stretching is a separate process and should not be improvised with ordinary earrings. Fresh, irritated or healing piercings should be managed according to professional aftercare.
How to Find Your Current Gauge
Check the original jewellery specification, compare with a verified gauge card or ask a professional piercer. Visual guessing is unreliable because fractions of a millimetre are hard to judge by eye.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 16G bigger than 18G?
Yes. In gauge sizing, 16G is thicker than 18G.
What gauge are normal earrings?
There is no single universal size. Many fashion posts are around 20G or 22G, while piercing jewellery may use 18G or 16G.
Can I wear 20G in an 18G piercing?
A thinner post may fit, but repeated size changes can affect the piercing channel. Ask a piercer if you want to maintain a specific gauge.
Is gauge the same as millimetres?
Gauge is a sizing system; it can be converted approximately to millimetres.
Does a lower gauge number mean smaller?
No. Lower gauge numbers indicate thicker posts.
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