Measuring Body Jewelry

Painful Pleasures

Size Help

Do you need help choosing the right size (gauge, length, and diameter) body jewelry parts to go with what you already have, like when you need replacement balls for a straight barbell? Below we’ve provided all the body jewelry sizing information you could possibly need, including the basics of body jewelry measurement, standard body jewelry sizes, inch to millimeter conversions to help you with gauges, ball sizes, lengths, and diameters, threading sizing information, and other helpful body jewelry sizing info. Just click a link below to jump right to the corresponding section:

Measuring Body Jewelry
Standard Body Jewelry Sizes
Conversion Tables
Length and Diameter Size Conversions
Gauge Size Conversions
Ball Size Conversions
Threading

Measuring Body Jewelry

Print out the Body Jewelry Measuring PDF to accurately measure your body jewelry or scroll down to learn more about how to measure your body jewelry.

• Gauge: Thickness of Body Jewelry
• Length: Inside Length Between Balls for Barbells (doesn’t include the posts on externally-threaded jewelry)
• Diameter: Inside Diameter for Rings
   

Standard Body Jewelry Sizes

*Please note that these are standard starting sizes. Your piercer may have used a different length or gauge. You should measure your jewelry or consult with your piercer before choosing new jewelry to make sure you get it in the correct size for your piercing.
 

Conversion Tables

Threading

What Threads Are

Body jewelry that has balls or other decorative ends that screw into it has to have threads to which those ends attach. A thread is a spiral ridge that winds either internally or externally around the metal like that on a bolt or the inside of a nut. Threaded body jewelry includes straight barbells, curved (bent) barbells, circular barbells, labret studs, dermal anchors, and surface barbells.

Difference Between Internal & External Threading

Externally-threaded body jewelry has the thread on the end of the barbell, external to the shaft, and it is placed inside a threaded hole in the ball(s) or other decorative end(s) attached to it. When externally-threaded jewelry is being passed through a piercing, the threads also pass through it, and then the ball is screwed into place.

Externally-Threaded Jewelry

Internally-threaded body jewelry has a threaded hole inside the barbell, internal to the shaft, and then an external thread protruding from the ball(s) or other decorative end(s) screw into it. When internally-threaded jewelry is being passed through a piercing, a smooth barbell passes through the piercing, and then the ball is inserted and screwed into place.

Internally-Threaded Jewelry

Determining Which Pieces of Jewelry Thread Together

Each piece of jewelry has a thread pattern. Common thread patterns are found in the table below. Please note that these thread patterns are the most common for Painful Pleasures’ jewelry; however, you must look at the product detail page for each piece of jewelry to determine what the actual thread pattern is for that particular piece of jewelry. A 0.9mm internally-threaded ball or gem top will thread onto a 0.9mm internally-threaded shaft. A 0.9mm internally-threaded ball or gem will NOT thread onto a 0.8mm internally-threaded shaft. Make sense?

You also must be sure to look at not only the thread pattern but the gauge indicated when selecting new component parts for your body jewelry. 10g through 00g body jewelry that’s internally-threaded may have the same 2.0mm thread pattern as other body jewelry of a matching gauge. A 2.0mm internally-threaded counter-bored ball meant for a 00g barbell will fit onto a 10g shaft; however, the shape of the ball is meant for a 00g barbell. The same goes for all other gauges, so be cognizant when picking ends for your jewelry. 

If you are not sure if two pieces will fit together, check the threading pattern. If a listing doesn’t have a threading pattern listed, email us at support@painfulpleasures.com. We’ll update the listing and provide you with the threading size.

The following table has common thread patterns found on on Painful Pleasures’ jewelry. This is just a guide; you should check each piece of jewelry before checking out!