2026-06-08
How to Measure Your Wrist for a Watch Strap
How to Measure Your Wrist for a Watch Strap
Getting the right watch strap fit requires two separate measurements — lug width and wrist circumference. These are independent of each other and both matter. Lug width determines which strap fits the watch. Wrist circumference determines whether you need a standard or short length strap. Most sizing problems come from confusing the two or only measuring one.
This guide covers both measurements, what to do with them, and how to identify if you need a short strap.
Measurement 1: Lug Width
Lug width is the gap in millimetres between the two lugs on your watch case — the small protrusions on either side of the case where the strap attaches. This measurement determines which strap width fits your watch. It is the most important measurement for ordering a strap.
How to measure lug width:
Option 1 — Digital calipers (most accurate) Open the calipers and place the tips inside the gap between the lugs, measuring the inner distance. Read the measurement in millimetres. This gives an accurate reading to one decimal place.
Option 2 — Ruler Place a ruler across the watch face, aligning it with the lug gap. Measure the distance between the inner edges of the two lugs in millimetres. A 1mm error is acceptable — standard strap widths are spaced 2mm apart (18mm, 20mm, 22mm) so a measurement of 19.5mm clearly indicates a 20mm strap.
Option 3 — Check the watch specifications Most watch manufacturers publish the lug width in the watch specifications — listed as "lug width", "strap width", or "band width" in millimetres. Check the manufacturer's website, the original documentation, or a watch database such as Watchbase.
Common lug widths by watch type:
| Lug Width | Common Watches |
|---|---|
| 16mm | Ladies' dress watches, very slim dress references |
| 17mm | Cartier Tank Solo, select vintage references |
| 18mm | Nomos, Junghans, slim dress watches, many ladies' watches |
| 19mm | Vintage Rolex Submariner, Datejust, Oyster Perpetual |
| 20mm | Omega Seamaster, Seiko SKX, Tudor Black Bay 41, Rolex Submariner — the most common size |
| 21mm | Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36mm, Datejust 36mm |
| 22mm | Tudor Pelagos, IWC Pilot's Watch, Marathon GSAR |
| 23mm | Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 45mm |
| 24mm | Panerai Luminor |
If your measurement falls between two standard sizes — say 19.5mm — round to the nearest standard width. A 19.5mm gap takes a 20mm strap.
Measurement 2: Wrist Circumference
Wrist circumference determines strap length — whether you need a standard length or a short watch strap. This measurement is independent of lug width.
How to measure wrist circumference:
Option 1 — Flexible tape measure Wrap the tape measure around your wrist just above the wrist bone — the position where you normally wear your watch. Note the circumference in millimetres or inches. Do not pull the tape tight; it should sit flat against the skin with no gap but no compression.
Option 2 — Strip of paper Cut a strip of paper approximately 2cm wide. Wrap it around your wrist at the watch-wearing position and mark where the paper overlaps itself. Remove and measure the marked length with a ruler.
What your measurement means:
| Wrist circumference | Strap length |
|---|---|
| Under 155mm (6.1 inches) | Short strap — strongly recommended |
| 155mm–165mm (6.1–6.5 inches) | Short strap — recommended |
| 165mm–185mm (6.5–7.3 inches) | Standard length |
| 185mm–210mm (7.3–8.3 inches) | Standard length |
| Over 210mm (8.3 inches) | Extra-long — check individual product availability |
Do I Need a Short Watch Strap?
A standard watch strap is sized for a wrist circumference of approximately 165–185mm (6.5–7.3 inches). If your wrist is under 165mm, a standard strap will leave an excess tail — the leather or nylon beyond the buckle that has to be forced through the keeper and still leaves visible excess material.
The signs that you need a short strap:
- The tail of your current strap passes through both keepers with more than 20mm of excess
- You have to fold the tail back on itself to prevent it flopping
- The watch sits off-centre on your wrist, rotating to one side
- The buckle sits uncomfortably close to the edge of the strap rather than centred on the wrist
What short straps look like vs standard:
A standard leather strap is typically cut to approximately 115mm (long piece) and 75mm (short piece). A short strap is cut to approximately 105mm and 65mm — 10mm shorter on each piece. This eliminates the excess tail and allows the buckle to sit correctly on the wrist.
CNS stocks short straps in leather and suede across all lug widths from 14mm to 20mm. See the short watch straps collection.
The Alternative to Short Straps — Perlon
If you consistently struggle to find straps that fit precisely — either slightly too tight on one hole or slightly too loose on the next — perlon watch straps eliminate this entirely. Perlon's ladder-weave construction allows the buckle pin to engage at any point along the strap, not just at fixed 5mm hole intervals. The fit is exact to the millimetre regardless of wrist size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is lug width? Lug width is the gap in millimetres between the two lugs on your watch case — the protrusions where the strap attaches. It determines which strap width fits your watch. Measure with digital calipers or a ruler, or check your watch's published specifications.
What is the most common watch strap size? 20mm is the most common lug width for men's sport and dress watches — Omega Seamaster, Seiko SKX, Tudor Black Bay, and Rolex Submariner all use 20mm lugs. 18mm is the most common for ladies' and slim dress watches.
How do I know if I need a short watch strap? Measure your wrist circumference. If it is under 165mm (6.5 inches), a short strap will fit significantly better than a standard length. The excess tail on a standard strap — the material that has to be forced through the keeper — is the most visible sign that a short strap is needed.
What if my lug width is not a standard size? Non-standard lug widths are uncommon but exist — particularly on vintage watches. If your measurement is genuinely between standard sizes (for example, exactly 17mm rather than 16 or 18mm), CNS stocks 17mm watch straps and 19mm watch straps specifically for these references.
Can I use a strap that is 1mm wider or narrower than my lug width? No — the strap must match the lug width exactly. A 21mm strap will not fit between 20mm lugs; a 19mm strap will sit loosely in a 20mm gap and look incorrect. Always match the strap width to the lug width precisely.
How tight should a watch strap be? The standard guidance is that you should be able to slide one finger comfortably under the strap at the buckle. Too tight restricts circulation and becomes uncomfortable during the day. Too loose allows the watch to rotate on the wrist. The correct fit is snug without compression.
Find your size: 16mm | 17mm | 18mm | 19mm | 20mm | 21mm | 22mm | 23mm | 24mm
Need a short strap? See the short watch straps collection.