By Iris Voltaire · Last updated October 2026
The short answer: Most navel piercings wear a 14 gauge (1.6 mm) bar with a 10 mm (3/8") bar length. Some bodies need 8 mm, 11 mm or 12 mm. If you have worn the same belly ring comfortably for months, its bar is your size. Every piece in The Centre is made on this standard bar. If you're not sure, a piercer can measure you in a minute.
In this guide
- The three numbers on every belly ring
- Gauge: how thick the bar is
- Bar length: the number that matters most
- How to measure the belly ring you wear now
- Signs your size is wrong
- Solitaire or drop: choosing for your body
- Sizes in The Centre
The three numbers on every belly ring
Every belly ring is described by three measurements:
- Gauge: the thickness of the bar that passes through your piercing.
- Bar length: the straight length of bar between the top ball and the bottom stone. This is the part that sits inside you.
- Overall length: the whole piece from top ball to lowest point, including any charm. This is about style, not fit.
Gauge: how thick the bar is
Gauge numbers run backwards: the higher the number, the thinner the bar.
| Gauge | Thickness | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| 16G | 1.2 mm | Thinner bars, some fashion belly rings. Can feel loose in a standard navel piercing. |
| 14G | 1.6 mm | The standard for navel piercings, and the bar every piece in The Centre is made on. |
| 12G | 2.0 mm | Less common; some piercers use it for extra stability. |
Don't size down to a thinner bar to make a piece fit. A bar thinner than your piercing carries the weight of the piece on a smaller surface, which can irritate it, especially with long drops. That's why every piece in The Centre is made on a full 14G (1.6 mm) bar.
If your piercing was done at 16G (1.2 mm), have a piercer check it before you order. Never force a thicker bar through a piercing.
Bar length: the number that matters most
Bar length depends on how much tissue sits between your two holes, and that varies from person to person.
- 8 mm (5/16"): shallow or petite navels.
- 10 mm (3/8"): the most common fit once healed.
- 11–12 mm (7/16"–1/2"): deeper navels, and the usual length for starter jewellery to leave room for swelling.
That last point catches people out. Your starter bar is often longer than you need, so measuring it won't always give you your healed size. Your piercer can tell you whether to go shorter.
How to measure the belly ring you wear now
Only do this with a healed piercing and a ring that has been comfortable for months. If in doubt, ask a piercer.
- Wash your hands and remove the belly ring.
- Lay it flat on a ruler, or better, use a small digital calliper.
- Measure the straight part of the bar, from the bottom of the top ball to the top of the stone or setting. Don't include the ball or the charm.
- For gauge, measure the thickness of the bar itself. 1.6 mm is 14G.
- Clean the ring and put it back in.
Not sure your piercing is ready? A professional piercer can check your healing and measure your fit in a few minutes.
Signs your size is wrong
Bar too short
- The top ball or the stone presses into the skin and leaves a dent
- Soreness or swelling that comes back
- The ball starts to sink into the top hole (embedding). See a piercer right away.
Bar too long
- The piece flops, tilts or catches on clothing
- It sits crooked rather than resting in your navel
- Constant movement keeps the piercing irritated
Solitaire or drop: choosing for your body
Once your size is right, style is personal. A few things help you choose:
- Every day, sport and fitted clothes: a short, close-set piece like a solitaire. Less to catch, less weight.
- Evenings and occasions: a drop. The movement is the point, but longer pieces are heavier and more likely to catch on fabric.
- Navel shape: some navels have a deep top “hood”, some are shallow, and some pierced navels sit high (often called a floating navel). A piercer can tell you which shapes will rest well on yours.
Sizes in The Centre
Belly rings are final sale for hygiene reasons, so confirm your gauge and bar length before you order. If you're unsure, a piercer can measure you in a minute.
Every piece is made on the standard navel bar: 1.6 mm (14G) thick and 10 mm (3/8") long. Shallow or deep navel? Message us before you order.
| Piece | Overall length | Diamonds | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Solitaire with Marquise Charm | 17.2 mm | 0.89 ct | Every day, a first fine piece |
| Pear Crown | 20.4 mm | 0.83 ct | Every day |
| Marquise Lotus Drop | 21.7 mm | 0.31 ct | Every day, delicate |
| Emerald-Cut Bezel | 26.3 mm | 4.25 ct | Statement |
| Triple Bezel Drop | 27.6 mm | 0.44 ct | Day to evening |
| Graduated Three-Stone Drop | 31.0 mm | 0.90 ct | Day to evening |
| Floral Cluster Chain Drop | 36.0 mm | 0.74 ct | Evening |
| Pavé Teardrop | 36.8 mm | 1.11 ct | Evening |
| Marquise Flower Drop | 39.3 mm | 2.07 ct | Evening, occasion |
| Swirling Vine Drop | 50.0 mm | 1.18 ct | Occasion |
Shop The Centre · 18K solid gold
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your piercing, speak to a professional piercer or a doctor.
