Belly Ring Sizing Guide

This size guide has been provided by TummyToys®. Professional belly piercings are performed in a standard 14g (gauge width) and pierced to fit the standard size 10mm (3/8)and 11mm (7/16) belly rings. All of our navel rings are supplied within the standard size range unless otherwise stated.

For non-standard size piercings, we have a collection of custom sizeable navel rings here.

How to establish your preferred length for belly jewellery.

The listed length (inches" or millimetres as shown above) refers to the distance between the balls. It is the length of the piercing shaft in fractional inches/millimeters and not the length of the full belly jewellery.

If you are unsure what size you are, measure a piece of navel jewellery that currently fits you correctly and assess which size shown below will best fit. TIP: Most professional belly piercings are done at the standard 10mm to 11mm lengths. If your piercing was done sometime ago your piercing may have shrunk to a smaller size over the years.

NOTE: When you are initially pierced, due to anticipated swelling, your piercer will most likely use a size 12mm bar. This is to allow space for your swollen skin during the healing time. Once this healing process settles down (typically within 6 months give or take) your navel ring size should most likely go back to a standard 10mm. If at any stage you are uncertain, pop in and ask your piercer, I'm sure they will be able to assist.

For non-standard size piercings, we have a collection of custom sizeable navel rings here.

Length Conversion (eg. 3/8" 10mm)

TummyToys® Size Guide

All TummyToys® Sleepers are 14g gauge (as below) and are 7/16" in length - 11mm is shown on the diagram (left).

Full radius of the clasp when closed is 13.5mm edge to edge.

Custom Clasp Sizes

Only the solid gold and solid platinum TummyToys® clasps can be down sized.

Clasps can be down-sized (maximum 3mm shorter) or increased in size, custom sizes are an additional $40 for each peice and is available for solid gold and solid platinum only.

NB: There are NO refunds once we resize any product.

Pregnancy / Maternity Belly Button Ring Size Information

As your belly grows, your navel piercing stretches. During this time, it is best to wear a flexible PTFE or Bio Flex belly ring to avoid irritation.

Tummy Toys pregnacy belly rings are a standard size 14 gauge - as per above sizing and are sold in the following lengths. Anything shorter is not recommended as you can optionally cut these belly rings to a smaller size anyway if they are far too long for your piercing. Our pregnancy belly rings are self threading and your purchase from The Belly Ring Shop will include instructions on how to do this. For threading assistance please feel free to contact us.

Gauge - width of the shaft (eg. 14g)

Navel jewellery is measured by gauges. The higher the gauge the smaller the piercing. 14g is the standard size that fits most piercings. To go up to 12g (and wider) you will need to have your piercing stretched.

The majority of navel rings sold at The Belly Ring Shop are available in the standard 14g size unless otherwise specified. We have various alternative sizes available in the custom resizable collection here.

16g is actually a smaller piercing gauge then 14g. Often people who leave their piercing without jewellery for too long end up switching to a 16g as their piercing partially closes, however there are far less choices in belly button rings in a 16g so retaining your 14g piercing is much more beneficial.

Refer to the chart below for specific details.

Ball Size Conversion Chart

All belly ring balls for sale at The Belly Ring Shop website fit 14g shafts, unless otherwise specified. See below for a selection of our 14g replacement belly ring balls or click here for the full collection of body jewellery parts.

Belly Ring Care and Maintenance

Our belly ring care guide is intended to help you maximise your investment in belly jewellery. Learn the best way to clean, store and maintain your belly rings for a longer lifespan and learn which types of jewellery are best for you and for optimum durability.

NOTE: Wash your hands, clean your piercing and your belly jewellery with a disinfectant hand soap before changing - this applies to BOTH old jewellery and new jewellery straight out of the pack. For a guide on how and when to change your navel piercing visit  the, TummyToys information page here.

316L Surgical Steel Belly Rings

316L surgical steel will not tarnish, flake or peel and will last the test of time. However, all belly rings, even the basic belly rings will still collect particles of dirt and body oils in various areas. We recommend cleaning your jewellery for to keep it looking brand new and for maximum hygiene. Simply use dish washing detergent in warm water.
Warning: alcohol can damage and loosen gems, likewise harsh chemicals can also prematurely age your belly jewellery.
To remove dirt or build up, use a gentle brush - like a toothbrush. Give your jewellery a final wash with disinfectant hand soap to assist killing bacteria.

925 Sterling Silver Belly Rings

The optimum choice for belly rings, especially for those who suffer allergies due to its low nickel content. Many people think that 925 Silver jewellery is less valuable because it tarnishes. While it is true that it does tarnish, it is also easily restored unlike cheaper metals. Simply using a Godards Silver Cloth or silver cleaning agent to polish your belly jewellery (no matter how tarnished it is). Polishing will restore its shiny luster and bring it back to brand new EVERY TIME! For many reasons silver is dearer than surgical steel, it is shinier, durable and is recognised as a precious metal.

Solid Gold Belly Bars

Another optimum choice for belly jewellery, be it the most expensive, it comes with its advantages. Unlike 925 silver, 14K gold will not tarnish and unlike gold plated jewellery, it will forever maintain its luster. Neither will it flake or peel with age like costume jewellery. However, solid gold navel rings can still collect particles of dirt and body oils. We recommend cleaning your navel jewellery to keep it looking brand new. You can use a jewellery cleaning agent if you have one, but if not, something as simple as dish washing detergent will do the trick! The WikiHow has an excellent photo demonstration on cleaning gold jewellery, you can check it out here.

Gold Plated Body Jewellery

Gold plated is perfect if you want the style of gold without the price tag. It allows you to save money and buy more belly rings! Take caution though, gold plated jewellery (unlike solid gold) will fade over time, especially when it is regularly exposed to water or chemicals like soaps, creams, sun lotion, tanning oils and cleaning products. Even your perspiration and the PH balance of your skin can affect the lifespan of gold plated belly rings. It's impossible to predict how long your gold plated belly rings will last as this depends on many factors, including how often you wear it and the conditions you expose it to. Chlorine, salt water and pool chemicals can have an aging effect on your shiny plated jewels, for this reason we recommend replacing your gold plated belly bars with surgical steel, 925 Sterling silver or solid gold when showering or swimming and saving your plated jewellery for other special occasions. NOTE: Do NOT store your plated jewellery in the bathroom or anywhere humid, this will speed up the aging process. Keep plated jewellery dry and away from the elements.

Maintaining, Using and Cleaning TummyToys® Belly Rings

The TummyToys® clasps all come with a lifetime guarantee, they will not fade, flake or peel with age. The clasp tightness is also fully adjustable, so if your clasp is too tight or becomes too loose you can easily fix this by following the TummyToys® online video tutorial guide.

For full instructions on maintaining, cleaning and using the TummyToys® clasps visit the online tutorials at TummyToys®.

PTFE and Plastic/Acrylic

The best thing about PTFE belly bars (aside from the bargain price) is that they are easily resized to a desired length. To adjust, use a pair of scissors and cut the bar on a slight angle at the required length. Using a surgical steel ball, screw it on to the newly cut edge with firm pressure and the PTFE bar will re-thread itself. You can then replace the steel ball with a plastic ball if desired.

When cleaning this type of material do NOT use alcohol or any chemical based cleaning agents as these will crack and damage your jewellery. Simply rinse in warm water with a generic disinfectant hand soap.

Dangly Belly Bars, Costume Jewellery and Bronze Plated

Yes, these items are bargain priced and are available in a wide range of styles, colours and lengths, however they are NOT comprised of the same quality materials as the more expensive range of belly bars in 925 silver and solid gold. Costume belly bars can be susceptible to water damage and age with exposure to chemicals. Additionally they can be affected by your body oils and hygiene products including sunscreen lotion and tanning oils. To get the most out of your dangling belly rings we recommend you care for them in a similar way as you would gold plating (above). While costume jewellery does have a 316L surgical steel shaft, many have charms and dangles that are rhodium plated over metal or vintage brass plated and will show their age when mistreated.