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Choosing wedding rings is no simple matter. After all, these are the rings you and your partner will wear for the rest of your life. That means your wedding band should look exactly how you want it and be comfortable to wear daily. You’ll have to choose between various materials, stones, designs, and styles. With so many things to consider, the width of the ring is a factor that often gets overlooked. However, getting the correct width or ring thickness is very important, too.
This post will discuss 6mm bands vs. 8mm bands and how to choose the perfect width for you!
6mm vs. 8mm Wedding Band
Choosing the right ring requires careful consideration of your style, lifestyle, preferred wedding ring design, and the size of your fingers.
A general rule of thumb is to go with a 6mm ring if you have slender fingers or are new to wearing rings. On the other hand, an 8mm wide band is better if you have larger finger sizes or want more visible patterns or stones on your wedding ring.
6mm Wide Wedding Bands | 8mm Wide Wedding Bands |
|---|---|
Slim, slender, and short fingers | Thick and long fingers |
Large knuckles | Regular-sized knuckles |
Small ring sizes | Large ring sizes |
Not used to wearing rings | Active lifestyle or physical work |
Classic, subtle, or simple style | Bold, daring, and eye-catching style |
Lower budget for rings | Higher budget for rings |
Choosing between a 6mm vs. 8mm wedding band might not seem like much, but your choice can make a big difference — especially when it comes to men’s wedding rings.
While there are no hard and fast rules on how wide a ring you should choose for your wedding band, there are some general guidelines and tried and true tips to help make the selection easier.
6mm vs. 8mm Wedding Band: The Details
Both the 6mm and 8mm are common ring widths for men. However, compared to the usual 2mm to 3mm rings, both of these wider bands have a modern and contemporary feel.
The effect they give off isn’t the same, though. Although there is only two millimeters difference between a 6mm and an 8mm wide wedding band, those two millimeters can change a lot — both aesthetically and practically.
These changes are even more evident with men’s wedding bands. Despite how far designs and styles for men’s rings have come, there’s no denying that they still pale compared to most women’s rings.
Usually, designs of wedding rings for the groom are limited to using different materials, engraving patterns, and maybe one or two stones.
As such, the width of the ring plays a more significant role in men’s rings.
How Wide Is a 6mm Ring?
A 6mm ring is 0.24 inches or approximately 1/16 of an inch.
If you’re having trouble visualizing its width, you can look for some loose change, specifically nickels. Since nickels are almost 2mm thick, this means a 6mm ring is as wide as the height of three nickels stacked together.
How Wide Is an 8mm Ring?
Meanwhile, an 8mm ring is 0.31 inches wide. In nickels, it’s about as wide as the height of four nickels stacked over each other. Rings this wide are popular these days, especially among men who prefer comfort fit bands.
What’s the Most Common Wedding Band Width?
You might see a lot of men wearing either a 6mm or a 10mm ring. Surprisingly, the 8mm wide ring is the most common width for men today.
This might be because men generally have larger hands. The wide band of 8mm rings naturally complements thick or big ring fingers better than thin wedding bands.
What’s the Right Wedding Ring Width for Me?
We know it sounds cliche, but it really does depend on what you want. So rather than considering other people’s opinions or choices, it’s more important to consider the following:
- Your individual style. Since you’ll be wearing your wedding ring every day, you’ll want to have it match your everyday style and aesthetics as much as possible.
- How you want your wedding rings to look. Wider rings are preferable if you want more eye-catching styles and more design options, such as engraving, patterns, and unique inlaid materials.
- Your finger or ring size. A smaller ring size can make thicker bands look awkward, so thin rings might be better. The same goes the other way around.
- The shape of your hands and fingers. If you have shorter or stumpier fingers, getting a thinner band is a good idea to make them look longer. Finger shape includes knuckles, too. If you have larger knuckles, a narrower band may fit better.
- Your lifestyle and habits. If your day-to-day life is highly physical or you handle heavy tools and dangerous chemicals at work, you may want to consider wider styles, so any erosion or damage is less visible. Also, if you don’t usually wear rings, narrower bands offer an easier transition.
- What you feel looks best on you. It really does depend on what you want. Despite all the factors we mentioned above, if you don’t like the look and feel of a narrow band, even if you have a smaller ring size, then go for a wider one.
- Your ring budget. Since 6mm rings are narrower, less metal is used. So, if you’re working with a tighter budget, we recommend getting a thinner band. On the other hand, if you can pay a higher price, it’s worth it to look at the great options for 8mm at your local jeweler.
Stylish and Unique Wedding Bands for Men
Below are a few more tips and examples of amazing rings to help you decide between different widths for your wedding ring, with an emphasis on style and design.
Classic and Versatile
A 6mm ring is perfect if you want a happy medium between thinner and thicker bands. It gives off a classic feel while still being versatile enough for more unique designs and metal choices.
Examples of 6mm wedding bands for men with a classic vibe are:
- The Gentleman, a tungsten and rose gold ring
- The Kennedy, a timeless ring available in platinum, yellow gold, and white gold
- The Everlasting, a black titanium ring with a Celtic knot pattern
Bold and Daring
If you’re a trendsetter, a fashionista, or simply naturally stylish, an 8mm ring will be a perfect canvas for more modern, bold, and daring ring designs.
Examples of unique and stunning 8mm wide bands for men are:
- The Ibex, a yellow gold plated tungsten ring with antler and teak wood inlays
- The Zeppelin, a black-plated tungsten ring
- The Patton, a tungsten ring with metal inlays from a WWII Sherman Tank
Making the Right Choice of Rings
When it comes to finding the perfect ring width, it mainly boils down to personal preference. If you’re still having a hard time choosing between a 6mm vs. 8mm wedding band, one fool-proof way to help you decide is to try on the rings. Seeing how the ring looks and feels on your finger will help you see the pros and cons of each width better.
