Lovely, it is here! A complete article about the sizes of a leather watch band. Think of the thickness, width and length of the leather strap. The perfect size ultimately also depends on the size of your wrist and watch case.
Leather watch band size table
In this post we will look at:
- The width sizes of a leather watch strap
- The length chart of leather watch bands
- The options relate to the thickness
The width sizes of a leather watch strap
The most common watch strap size is 18 mm to 22 mm. The 18 mm strap size is often used for women’s watches and the 20 mm band size for men’s watches. Why would you think? Because a leather strap is often half the size of the watch case. This is a good ratio of design. A standard ladies watch is usually 36 mm wide and a men’s watch 40 mm wide.
What width strap sizes are there?
The average case size is a guideline that can vary by design. Also, people with a small wrist generally appreciate a narrower watch band.
| Strap size width in MM | Strap size width in Inches | Common watch case size |
| 6 mm | 0.23 inch | 22 – 26 mm |
| 8 mm | 0.31 inch | 22 – 32 mm |
| 9 mm | 0.35 inch | 22 – 32 mm |
| 10 mm | 0.39 inch | 22 – 30 mm |
| 11 mm | 0.43 inch | 22 – 32 mm |
| 12 mm | 0.47 inch | 24 – 30 mm |
| 13 mm | 0.51 inch | 24 – 32 mm |
| 14 mm | 0.55 inch | 24 – 32 mm |
| 15 mm | 0.59 inch | 29 – 30 mm |
| 16 mm | 0.63 inch | 28 – 33 mm |
| 17 mm | 0.67 inch | 31 – 34 mm |
| 18 mm | 0.71 inch | 34 – 39 mm |
| 19 mm | 0.75 inch | 35 – 38 mm |
| 20 mm | 0.79 inch | 38 – 43 mm |
| 21 mm | 0.83 inch | 40 – 42 mm |
| 22 mm | 0.87 inch | 40 – 45 mm |
| 23 mm | 0.91 inch | 43 – 46 mm |
| 24 mm | 0.95 inch | 42 – 50 mm |
| 25 mm | 0.98 inch | 42 – 50 mm |
| 26 mm | 1.02 inch | 42 – 50 mm |
| 27 mm | 1.06 inch | 42 – 50 mm |
| 28 mm | 1.10 inch | 42 – 50 mm |
| 29 mm | 1.14 inch | 42 – 50 mm |
| 30 mm | 1.18 inch | 42 – 50 mm |
| 32 mm | 1.26 inch | 42 – 50 mm |
| 34 mm | 1.34 inch | 42 – 50 mm |
| 36 mm | 1.42 inch | 44 – 50 mm |
| 38 mm | 1.50 inch | 44 – 50 mm |
How to measure the width of a watch strap?
There are 3 options to measure the width of a watch strap. First, you can look for a number on the back of the strap. This is the size in MM. Secondly, measure the size between the lugs. Third, you can divide the watch case size by 2.
1. Look for a number on the back of the strap
This number is the width in mm. See the photo below for an example.
2. Measure the size between the lugs of the watch case
You measure the width of a watch strap between the lugs of the watch case. So that is the connecting piece of the band with the case. Because this has the same size on both sides. If you measure a different section, this width may differ. Because some watch straps can slope towards the buckle.
3. Divide the watch case by 2
Please note: this is not always the right measurement! It also depends on the complete design. It can also differ by a millimeter. For example, do you measure a case size of 43 mm? Then the band is most of the time 22 mm instead of 21 or 21.5 mm. Because designers usually work with even numbers.
The length chart of leather watch bands
The standard women watch strap size is 6.38 to 8 inches (162.5 – 203.5 mm) and the standard band size for men is slightly bigger with 7.75 to 9.5 inches (196.5 – 243 mm). Because the perfect size depends on height, weight and age.
Find below the complete watch strap size in total length of the strap. Below that we explain how you can measure the complete band size.
Watch strap size in total length
| Wrist Circumference in mm | Wrist circumference in inches | Total strap length in mm | Total strap length in inches |
| 120 – 130 mm | 4.7 – 5 inch | 156 mm | 6.1 inch |
| 131 – 140 mm | 5 – 5.5 inch | 166 mm | 6.5 inch |
| 141 – 150 mm | 5.5 – 5.9 inch | 176 mm | 6.9 inch |
| 151 – 160 mm | 5.9 – 6.3 inch | 186 mm | 7.3 inch |
| 161 – 170 mm | 6.3 – 6.7 inch | 192 mm | 7.6 inch |
| 171 – 180 mm | 6.7 – 7.1 inch | 202 mm | 7.9 inch |
| 181 – 190 mm | 7.1 – 7.5 inch | 210 mm | 8.25 inch |
| 191 – 200 mm | 7.5 – 7.9 inch | 217 mm | 8.5 inch |
| 201 – 210 mm | 7.9 – 8.3 inch | 227 mm | 8.9 inch |
| 211 – 220 mm | 8.3 – 8.6 inch | 231 mm | 9.0 inch |
| 221 – 230 mm | 8.6 – 9.0 inch | 235 mm | 9.25 inch |
| 231 – 240 mm | 9.0 – 9.4 inch | 245 mm | 9.5 inch |
| 241 – 250 mm | 9.4 – 9.8 inch | 255 mm | 10 inch |
| 251 – 260 mm | 9.8 – 10.2 inch | 265 mm | 10.25 inch |
Length classifications of men’s and women’s watch straps
| Classification | Length size in inches | Length size in mm |
| XS | 5.75 – 6.25 inches | 145 – 159 mm |
| S | 6.25 – 7.00 inches | 160 – 179 mm |
| M | 7.00 – 7.75 inches | 180 – 199 mm |
| L | 7.75 – 8.50 inches | 199 – 215 mm |
| XL | 8.50 – 9.25 inches | 215 – 235 mm |
| XXL | 9.25 – 10.25 inches | 235 – 260 mm |
How to measure the length of a strap
You can measure the length of a watch strap by adding the buckle side and the tail side. Then you will get the total length in mm. Make sure you don’t count the closure and watch case.
If you want to know the perfect size for your wrist, you can also count the watch case.
The options relate to the thickness
With the thickness of a watch strap, 1 mm can already make a difference. The general rule is that the longer the watch band, the thicker it often is.
This is also important for the design of your accessory. The larger the watch case, the thicker the watch band usually is. Because this ensures the right proportion.
However, there are exceptions, such as the NATO strap that must always be able to fit under the watch case. A watch strap can also be filled and become thinner at the closure. In that case, a strap has several thicknesses. That is why we prefer to measure this as close as possible to the watch case. You then have the best idea of the desired thickness.
Below we give a complete overview of the different thicknesses. Perhaps it will help you make your choice. It is a pity that many suppliers do not yet mention the thickness of the straps. Because measuring the complete range takes quite some time. So it is often skipped.
That is why we have various classifications in which the thicknesses are subdivided.
| Thickness of a watch strap | Classification |
| 1 – 1.5 mm | Very thin (For example a thin NATO strap). |
| 1.5 – 2.0 mm | Thin |
| 2.0 – 2.5 mm | Normal |
| 2.5 – 3.0 mm | Medium |
| 3.0 – 3.5 mm | Semi bold |
| 3.5 – 4.0 mm | Bold |
| 4.0 – 4.5 mm | Extra bold |
| 4.5 – 5.0 mm | Black |
| 5.0 – 6.0 mm | Thickest |
Keep in mind that a thicker watch strap actually makes the band a little bit shorter. After all, it molds to your wrist. So do not take a watch strap that is too short.
Was this helpful? Please feel free share it!
You can also read more about jewelry sizing.