After spending hours looking at the wide variety of Apple Watch band options, you’ve probably narrowed it down to just a few different models. One aspect you may not have thought through entirely, however, is what size band you need.

Apple is going to allow users to try on the wrist-worn device at its retail stores starting April 10. That is, however, the same day pre-orders become available, so if you don’t want to risk your favorite model selling out before you have a chance to try one on, you can use Apple’s sizing guide [PDF]. We also have a few suggestions to help you figure out which band is right for you.



Not all Apple Watch bands are available in every size and not all bands are available with every model. For example, the Classic Buckle is the only band that goes as small as 125 mm (4.92 inches). It is also the only band that goes as large as 215 mm (8.46 inches). Some bands are also available with only some casing sizes, as the Modern Buckle is compatible only with 38 mm casings and the Leather Loop is compatible only with 42 mm models.

Below is a rundown of what bands in which sizes are available with each casing (excluding the gold Apple Watch Edition). When looking at the band sizes below, keep in mind that the average woman's wrist is between 140 mm (5.5 inches) and 170 mm (6.7 inches) and the average man's wrist is between 165 mm (6.5 inches) and 195 mm (7.8 inches).



Modern Buckle

Case size 38 mm

Small fits wrist circumference 5.3–5.9 inches (135–150 mm)

Medium fits wrist circumference 5.7–6.5 inches (145–165 mm)

Large fits wrist circumference 6.3–7.1 inches (160–180 mm)

Case size 42 mm

None Available

Leather Loop

Case size 38 mm

None Available

Case size 42 mm

Medium fits wrist circumference 5.9–7.3 inches (150–185 mm)

Large fits wrist circumference 7.1–8.3 inches (180–210 mm)

Milanese Loop

Case Size 38 mm

Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 5.1–7.1 inches (130–180 mm)

Case size 42 mm

Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 5.9–7.9 inches (150–200 mm)

Link Bracelet

Case size 38 mm

Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 5.3–7.7 inches (135–195 mm)

Case size 42 mm

Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 5.9–8.07 inches (140–205 mm)

Classic Buckle

Case size 38 mm

Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 4.9–7.9 inches (125–200 mm)

Case size 42 mm

Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 5.7–8.5 inches (145–215 mm)

Sport Band

*Watch and standalone band pack each come with both S/M and M/L bands.

Case size 38 mm

Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 5.1–7.1 inches (130–180 mm)

Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 5.9–7.9 inches (150–200 mm)

Case Size 42 mm

Small/Medium fits wrist circumference 5.5–7.3 inches (140–185 mm)

Medium/Large fits wrist circumference 6.3–8.3 inches (160–210 mm)

Getting Your Band Size

The first thing you should do is measure your wrist. Using a cloth tape measure (or a string measured with a standard ruler), you'll typically want to wrap your left wrist if you are right-handed or your right wrist if you are left-handed.

Wrist preference for watches is, however, purely a personal thing, so feel free to use whichever wrist feels more comfortable to you. The Apple Watch has settings to allow it to be used on either the left or right wrist, although positioning of the Digital Crown and side button will be reversed depending on orientation.

Most cloth tape measures are based on inches, not millimeters, so you may want to convert your measurement. One inch is equal to 25.4 mm, so if your wrist is seven inches in circumference, multiply by 25.4 to get 177.8 mm. Or, you can reference our conversion guide above.



Choosing a Band

Taking a seven-inch wrist as the model, you can see that the Modern Buckle might not be a comfortable fit. Although the large size covers wrist of up to 7.1 inches, you won’t have any room for weight changes or slight puffing at night (or while going on long walks).

If your wrist measures seven inches in circumference, you may want to avoid the 38 mm case for all models except the Link Bracelet, Classic Buckle, and Sport Band.

If your wrist measures more than eight inches in circumference, your options for the 38 mm case are even more limited, and the Sport Band would be your best option.

In the reverse, a smaller wrist, say one that measures 5.5 inches in circumference, might find some of the 42 mm models to be a bit too loose. The Sport Band would be the best options for someone with a 5.5-inch wrist looking for a 42 mm casing, although you would probably find the Classic Buckle to fit fairly well since it is only 0.16 of an inch larger. While a slightly larger band is easier to get used to than a slightly smaller band, the Apple Watch needs to be worn snugly so the sensor on the back of the device can accurately pick up the user's heart rate.

Considering all of the different band/casing combinations and available band sizes should give you a good start on picking the right Apple Watch band ahead of the pre-order launch. With any luck, your favorite option won't sell out.

The first round of pre-orders for the Apple Watch will be available in nine countries starting April 10, both online and in Apple retail stores. The wrist-worn device will launch across those countries on April 24. Prices start at $349 for the aluminum Apple Watch Sport model, $549 for the stainless steel Apple Watch model, and $10,000 for the gold Apple Watch Edition Model. Starting April 10, you will also be able to make a reservation or stop by an Apple retail store to try on the Apple Watch and place pre-orders.