Bangle sizing confuses everyone the first time, because the numbers do not look like any other size you know. 2.4, 2.6, 2.8 are not centimetres and they are not decimals. They are old Indian trade sizes, and once you know what they mean, choosing is a two-minute job.
What the numbers mean
A bangle size is the inner diameter in inches, written as whole inches, a dot, then sixteenths. So 2.4 is 2 and 4/16 inches (2¼"), 2.6 is 2 and 6/16 (2⅜"), and 2.8 is 2½". The chart below converts the common sizes.
| Size | Inner diameter | Hand circumference (approx.) | Typically fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 | 2⅛" · 5.4 cm | 17 cm | Very slim hands, teens |
| 2.4 | 2¼" · 5.7 cm | 18 cm | Slim hands — the most common size |
| 2.6 | 2⅜" · 6.0 cm | 19 cm | Medium hands |
| 2.8 | 2½" · 6.35 cm | 20 cm | Broader hands |
| 2.10 | 2⅝" · 6.7 cm | 21 cm | Large hands |
| 2.12 | 2¾" · 7.0 cm | 22 cm | Extra large |
Two things follow from this. First, the size is about your hand, not your wrist — a closed bangle has to pass over the knuckles. Second, the gap between sizes is only about 3 mm, so a measurement taken carelessly can put you in the wrong size.
Method 1: measure a bangle you already own
If you have a closed bangle that fits well, lay it flat and measure the inside edge to inside edge with a ruler, straight across the widest point. Match the centimetres to the chart. This is the most reliable method because it already accounts for how snug you like your bangles.
Method 2: measure your hand
- Bring your thumb across your palm to touch the base of your little finger — the shape you make to slide a bangle on.
- Wrap a thread or a paper strip around the widest part of the hand, over the knuckles, without pulling tight.
- Mark where it overlaps and measure the length against a ruler. That is your hand circumference.
- Read the size off the third column of the chart. If you want the diameter, divide the circumference by 3.14.
Measure twice. Hands swell a little in the evening and in summer, so if your two readings disagree, trust the larger one.
Between sizes? Here is how to decide
- Closed bangles and chudi sets — size up. A bangle that will not pass the knuckles is useless; one that is a few millimetres loose still sits where it should.
- Openable kadas and hinged bracelets — these do not use bangle sizes at all. They open on a hinge and close with a clasp, so they are sold as free size; anything from a 15 to 17 cm wrist is fine. Our bracelets all work this way.
- Stacking — if you plan to wear a metal pair either side of glass chudis, buy the metal pair in the same size as your glass ones. Mixed sizes slide over each other and chip the glass.
- Gifting — when you do not know the size, 2.6 fits the most people. Or choose a hinged bracelet and remove the guesswork.
How our bangles are sized
Every closed bangle on the site, such as the Meher antique beaded pair, is listed in 2.4, 2.6 and 2.8. The size selector on the product page is the trade size above; the inner diameter is in the Size & fit section of each product. If you are unsure, send us your hand circumference on WhatsApp before you order and we will confirm the size before dispatch.
Quick answers
Is 2.4 small or medium? Small. It is also the most common adult size in India, which is why most sets default to it.
Can I make a bangle bigger? No. Metal bangles cannot be resized without damaging the finish and the stones. Buy the right size.
What size are children's bangles? Usually 1.10 to 2.2. Measure the child's hand the same way — the thread method works well because they can hold the shape for a second.
Do the sizes differ between brands? The trade sizes are standard across India, but the wall thickness of the bangle changes how it feels. A broad kada in 2.6 feels tighter than a thin chudi in 2.6.