What Bar Length Do I Need For My Piercing?
Ear piercings can require different bar lengths due to the skin thickness, so finding the perfect bar length can be a process of trial and error. A piercing is typically pierced with a flat-back labret, which is often available in a range of lengths from 5mm - 12mm. Everyone's anatomy is different, so what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
The chart below shows a list of industry recommended sizes that most professional piercers advise, however if you are unsure we recommend visiting your local piercer for size advice.
| Piercing | Gauge | Bar length (thinner cartilage) | Bar length (thicker cartilage) |
| Helix | 16g | 5mm - 6mm | 8mm - 10mm |
| Tragus | 16g | 5mm - 8mm | 8mm - 10mm |
| Conch | 16g | 5mm - 8mm | 8mm - 12mm |
| Rook | 16g | 6mm - 7mm | 8mm - 10mm |
| Forward Helix | 16g | 5mm - 6mm | 7mm - 8mm |
| Daith | 16g | 8mm - 10mm | 10mm - 12mm |
| Lobe (1st) | 16g | 8mm - 10mm | 10mm - 12mm |
| Lobe (2nd & 3rd) | 16g | 6mm - 8mm | 8mm - 10mm |
| Stacked Lobe | 16g | 7mm - 8mm | 10mm - 12mm |
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Frequently Asked Questions
If your piercing bar doesn't pass through your piercing fully, then it's too short. There should be approximately 1mm gap between your skin and the end of the bar to allow for fitting the attachment. If the bar is too short, it will pinch your piercing together and can cause irritation and swelling. It's recommended to get a longer bar length, as you will not be able to wear the jewellery if you can't fit the attachment into the bar.
If your piercing bar sticks out longer than 2/3mm, it's probably too long for your piercing. You need around 1mm between the skin and the end of the bar to allow room for fitting the attachment and giving the jewellery slight movement so that it's not uncomfortable. If the jewellery is too long, this can be dangerous since it's easier to get caught on hair or clothing that could pull at your piercing and cause irritation and an irritation bump.
Your labret stud may be hurting if the bar is too long or too short. If the bar is too short, it can pinch the skin together causing irritation and if the bar is too long, it can get caught easily and cause trauma. Wearing the correct bar length is important for a happy piercing, which is why downsizing your labret bar after the swelling has subsided is a crucial step in the piercing journey.
A butterfly back stud is one of the most common earrings, it has a thin post which typically measures 0.8mm (20g) with a length of around 10mm. These type of earrings should only be worn in a lobe piercing and should not be worn permanently in any cartilage piercings.
You can change your piercing to a shorter bar when your piercer recommends returning to have the bar downsized after the initial swelling has subsided. This shorter bar may still be longer than necessary to support the full healing process. Once your piercing has fully healed, you can find your perfect bar length which sits comfortably in your piercing.
Cartilage studs, also known as labrets or flat-backs are usually available in a choice of gauges and bar lengths. These typically range from 5mm to 10mm bar length. The most common bar length for most people is 6mm or 8mm in most piercings, such as helix or tragus. You can always buy spare Titanium bars for your threadless attachments if you need a different size.
Gauge: 16g (1.2mm) or 18g (1.0mm)
Bar Length: 6mm - 8mm
We recommend visiting your local piercer if you are unsure on sizing.
Gauge: 16g (1.2mm)
Bar Length: 6mm - 8mm
We recommend visiting your local piercer if you are unsure on sizing.
Gauge: 16g (1.2mm)
Bar Length: 5mm - 8mm
We recommend visiting your local piercer if you are unsure on sizing.
You can buy different size labret bars online at Crystal Heaven London. They are available in a range of gauge and length options, so you can find the perfect fit for your cartilage piercing.