Quick Take: Plug Sizing – US and UK

With stretching coming back into prominence as both a cultural practice and a fashion statement, most western countries follow very similar guidelines concerning the sizing of plugs, tunnels, and tapers. There are however, a few subtle differences, and if you’re one of the many who generally order their jewelry or stretching kits over the internet, it’s always a good idea to be aware of those little eccentricities. In the chart below, those sizings that are UK only or US only are marked with their respective origins, and sizes that are less popular or difficult to find are highlighted accordingly. It’s also worth mentioning that some UK jewelry shops may refer to plugs as “gauges,” rather than what you might be used to.

For our purposes, we’ve gone up to the 2 inch mark, as most larger styles are considered specialty items. Although they do exist, it’s rare for ear piercings in the western world to be successfully stretched to over two inches. Some of the largest in the world today hover around the four to five inch mark. As always, gauge size (thickness) will be measured as the diameter of the portion of the jewelry that is worn inside a stretched piercing.

Now, whether it’s for yourself or others, your online plug shopping will be nice and easy.