Ring Gauge - Diameter of Cigars

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Cigar Ring Gauges The ring gauge of a cigar refers to its diameter. Most formats have a consistent diameter throughout, though there are some exceptions. For irregularly shaped cigars, such as a Figurado, the ring gauge is determined by measuring the diameter at the cigar’s widest point. Measuring box-pressed, rectangular cigars can be a bit more challenging. To keep the process straightforward, an average measurement is generally used.

The ring gauge of a cigar is always given in 1/64 inches.

Why Inches and Not Centimeters?

In Central Europe, we're accustomed to the metric system; thus, using inches as a unit of measurement might initially seem odd. Aside from electrical devices or screen sizes of TVs and monitors, this unit is rarely encountered here. However, in English-speaking regions, the inch remains a standard, and it is also the convention in the cigar world.

The inch has a long history of calculation dating back to the 7th century. The term derives from the Latin "uncia" (meaning one-twelfth) for 1/12 of a foot. It wasn’t until 1956 that the length was standardized to 25.4 millimeters as the precise value of an inch. This exact figure of 25.4 millimeters is also used when calculating a cigar's ring gauge.

Calculating the Ring Gauge

As mentioned, a cigar's ring gauge is expressed in 1/64 inches. To calculate the ring gauge, the following formula is used:

Diameter x 64 / 25.4 = Ring Gauge

The reverse also works. To determine a cigar’s diameter from its ring gauge, the formula is:

Ring Gauge / 64 x 25.4 = Diameter

Ring Gauge Table

You can find the most common ring gauges in the table below:

Common Ring Gauges in Inches and Millimeters

28 = 11.11 mm	29 = 11.51 mm	30 = 11.91 mm	31 = 12.30 mm
32 = 12.70 mm	33 = 13.10 mm	34 = 13.49 mm	35 = 13.89 mm
36 = 14.29 mm	37 = 14.68 mm	38 = 15.08 mm	39 = 15.48 mm
40 = 15.88 mm	41 = 16.27 mm	42 = 16.67 mm	43 = 17.07 mm
44 = 17.46 mm	45 = 17.86 mm	46 = 18.26 mm	47 = 18.65 mm
48 = 19.05 mm	49 = 19.45 mm	50 = 19.84 mm	51 = 20.24 mm
52 = 20.64 mm	53 = 21.03 mm	54 = 21.43 mm	55 = 21.83 mm
56 = 22.23 mm	57 = 22.62 mm	58 = 23.02 mm	59 = 23.42 mm
60 = 23.81 mm	61 = 24.21 mm	62 = 24.61 mm	63 = 25.00 mm
64 = 25.40 mm	65 = 25.80 mm	66 = 26.19 mm	67 = 26.59 mm
68 = 26.99 mm	69 = 27.38 mm	70 = 27.78 mm

Ring Gauges of Different Cigar Types

Cigar Diameter

There is no strict rule or law specifying the ring gauges for different cigar formats. Nonetheless, over the long history of cigars, certain gauges have become standard for well-known formats.

Ring Gauges of Popular Formats

Panatela = 38	Perla = 40	Lonsdale = 42	Corona = 42
Cazadores = 44	Churchill = 47	Rothschild = 48	Robusto = 50
Toro = 50	Piramide = 52	Diadema = 55	Gordo = 60

Trends in Ring Gauges

Just like in fashion, cars, or phones, trends also emerge in the cigar world. Large ring gauges are steadily gaining popularity. On one hand, thick cigars certainly make a strong visual impression, but they are also often more balanced in terms of burn and draw. The larger number of air channels within the cigar helps prevent uneven burning during the smoking experience.

The strength of a cigar is primarily determined by the filler blend and the ratio of diameter to length, meaning a large ring gauge doesn’t necessarily indicate a stronger cigar. In fact, the thickness and increased airflow often allow flavors to develop more evenly and fully, reducing the risk of the cigar becoming “hot.” Thus, larger ring gauges frequently offer greater balance than smaller ones.