How to Choose a Men's Wedding Ring

Choosing a men's wedding ring comes down to five decisions: size, metal, width, fit and finish. It's worth taking them in that order, because size is the one you can't easily change later. Here's how to work through each one, plus what to spend and when to order.

Start with your size

With a gold or silver ring, a jeweller can often adjust the size afterwards. Titanium and tungsten don't work that way. If the size is wrong, the answer is an exchange rather than an alteration, so it's worth measuring before you choose anything else.

Our ring size guide shows you how to measure at home. Measure the finger the ring will go on, and do it two or three times across the day, because fingers change size slightly.

Keep width in mind too. A wider band sits against more of your finger, so it feels snugger. If you're moving from a slim ring to an 8mm band, you may need to go up a size.

Choose your metal

Our wedding rings are made from titanium or tungsten. Gold, rose gold, silver and black are finishes on those two metals, not solid gold or sterling silver. The metal decides how the ring feels and how it wears, so it's the choice to get clear first.

Titanium

Titanium is the lighter of the two, and many people find they barely notice it. If you've never worn a ring before, this is where we'd start, because a lighter ring is easier to get used to. It picks up fine surface scratches more easily than tungsten, but it takes a hard knock better. Browse our titanium rings to see the range.

Tungsten

Tungsten has real weight, and it's much harder to scratch, so it holds its finish well. That same hardness makes it more brittle under a sudden, heavy impact, such as a car door or a dropped tool. In our experience, cracked rings are rare. It's also where you'll find the widest choice of designs, across our tungsten rings.

If you know you react to nickel, titanium is the safer place to start. Our titanium vs tungsten guide goes through the differences in more detail.

Pick a width

Our rings run from 2mm to 8mm, though not every design comes in every width. For most men, 6mm or 8mm is the place to start.

• 2mm to 4mm: slim and understated. These aren't what most men choose for themselves, but they suit anyone who wants a subtle ring.
• 6mm: an easy middle ground that sits comfortably on most hands.
• 8mm: wider and bolder, with more presence on the finger. It tends to suit larger hands.

If you can, try on a ring of a similar width before you decide. A jeweller's or a friend's ring will give you a good idea of how it looks and feels.

What court fit means

All of our rings are court fit. That means the inside edge is gently rounded rather than flat. It slides over the knuckle more easily and feels more comfortable over long periods, which matters on a ring you'll wear most days. It's one decision you don't need to make with us, and it shouldn't change the size you need.

Choose a finish

Finish is mostly a matter of taste, so choose the one you'd still like to look at in ten years.

• Polished: bright and traditional. The Gold 8mm Tungsten Court Ring is the most popular ring in our wedding collection.
• Brushed: a softer, less reflective look that tends to show fine marks less. The Brushed Silver 6mm Titanium Ring is a good example.
• Hammered: a textured surface, if a plain band feels too simple. Our hammered rings come in gold, rose gold, silver and black.
• Black: a modern alternative to a traditional colour. See our full range of black rings.

Think about daily life

A wedding ring goes with you almost everywhere, so think about what your hands do in a normal week. If you're active with your hands, titanium's lighter weight is often easier to live with. If you work at a desk and want a ring you can feel, tungsten may suit you better.

No ring is scratch-proof, whichever metal you choose. A little care helps it last:

• Take it off for heavy manual work, the gym and contact sports.
• Keep it away from bleach and pool chlorine.
• Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, then dry it well.
• Store it on its own, so it doesn't rub against other jewellery.

Matching or your own

Wedding rings don't need to be identical to work as a pair. Many couples choose the same finish or metal, then each wear the width that suits them. If your tastes are too far apart for that, it's fine to each choose your own ring. Our guide to matching wedding rings for couples covers how to decide together, and you can compare pairs in our matching wedding rings collection.

Adding an engraving

A date, initials or a few private words can make a plain band feel personal. We don't offer an engraving service ourselves, but every ring can be engraved by your local engraver. Make sure the size is right before you have it done, and allow for it in your timing.

What to spend

There's no set amount you should spend on a wedding ring. Most of our wedding rings are £39.99, with free UK delivery.

Solid gold and platinum rings usually cost far more. They're a fair choice if the traditional metal matters to you, and gold has the advantage of being easier to resize. If you'd rather have a strong ring for everyday wear at a much lower price, titanium and tungsten are good value.

When to order

We'd suggest ordering at least 6 weeks before the wedding. More time is always better.

Some of our rings are in stock, and others are made to order, which takes one to two weeks. If you need a different size, you'll also need time to post the ring back and for the replacement to reach you. A replacement that's made to order takes another one to two weeks. Six weeks covers all of that, with some room to spare.

People do leave this late quite often, and it's an extra worry you don't need so close to the day. Ordering early means your rings are sorted, and you won't be stressing about whether they'll arrive in time. It also gives you a chance to try them on and swap them if you need to.

Common questions

What width do most men choose?

Most men choose 6mm or 8mm. A 6mm band is the easier one to start with if you've never worn a ring.

Can a wedding ring be resized later?

A gold or silver ring often can be. A titanium or tungsten ring can't be resized the same way, so a wrong size means exchanging it, which is why it's worth measuring carefully first.

Should a wedding ring match the engagement ring?

It doesn't have to. Your ring only needs to suit you, and many couples simply share a finish or a metal.

Find your ring

Once you know your size and have a metal and width in mind, take a look through our men's wedding rings. You have 90 days from purchase to return a ring for an exchange or a refund, as long as it's unworn and undamaged. Trying it on to check the size is fine.

If you're stuck between two rings or two sizes, get in touch. We're happy to help you work it out.