If you are planning to buy a ring online, or surprise someone by buying them a ring, but you're panicking that you don't know the correct size, don't panic, help is at hand when it comes to ring finger sizing - quite literally. Across the world many of those proposing are getting into a panic because they still don't know the size of their intended's ring finger - because even if you are not buying the engagement ring to propose with, the placeholder/proposal ring is better received if it actually fits!

So how do you work out your own or a loved one's ring finger size without any special tools?

Think back to your childhood (or time as a parent of a toddler) and get out the arts and crafts and have a little play time. You'll need the following equipment:

1. Something soft and pliable - Putty, blue tack, plasticine, Play-Doh, bar of soap, any of these would be perfect.
2. A piece of thin string, or dental floss.
3. Scissors
4. Pen
5. Ruler
6. Calculator.

Step 1

Find a ring that fits the finger you want to measure.

Step 2

Place the Play-Doh or putty into a shallow container like a matchbox.

Step 3

Press the ring into the putty and make sure you get a good indentation of the inside of the ring.

Step 4

Measure the diameter (the width across the circle made in the putty) across the ring.

Step 5

Now you need your calculator to calculate the circumference (ring size) of the ring. It's year 8 maths, so don't panic. - For any circle, the circumference is:
3.141592... × the diameter, or C = πd.

Step 6

Compare your answer to a ring finger sizing chart below and you're done!

To check your answer, take a piece of string, or dental floss and run it around the inside edge of the ring and mark the string where whole circle is made. Now measure the length of that piece of string. It should equal the number from step 5 above.

Bear this in mind:

• Different fingers on the same and the opposite hand may have different sizes. So, measure the finger on which you are planning to wear the ring.
• Measure your finger at the end of the day when your finger is likely to be largest.
• If your finger is between 2 sizes, go for the size up.

Would you like a free ring finger sizing tool?

If you don't want to take any chances with getting your ring size wrong, or simply can't be bothered with the mess involved, we'll give you a finger measuring set as pictured absolutely free of charge. All you pay is the postage. If you would like a free finger sizing set, click the link below, leave us your details and we'll send one straight over to you.