Through the magic of aspect ratio, other online references, and some trial and error, I've compiled a repertoire of ring sizes and weaves. I made up this chart for reference, and I offer it as a guide to other maillers who are planning projects and wanting to know what ring size(s) to use.
Disclaimer time:
The rings I used to come up with these sizes are saw-cut sterling silver and gold-filled (and hand-cut anodized niobium) from The Ring Lord. If you use rings that are a) not saw-cut, b) other metals, and/or c) cut yourself or from another supplier, you may find differences due to springback, kerf size, and differences in cutting methods. Please take this into account and don't put a curse on my descendants if one of my recommendations doesn't work perfectly for you.
Also, the inner diameters are in fractions of inches, since that's what I use. If you prefer millimeters, you can use the handy Conversion Table at Venom's Pit to find the closest measurement, but be aware that changing the ID even a little can give you an AR that won't work. Or an AR that will work even better, but that's for others to experiment with.
And finally, an adage: Give a man a ring size, and you feed him for one project. Teach a man about aspect ratio, and you feed him for the rest of his mailling life. Learn about AR here.
Choose your chart fancy:
By weave
By size
Special bonus square wire fine silver sizes
| Weave | 18awg/19swg | 20awg | 22awg | 24awg |
| Box | 11/64" | 9/64" | ||
| Byzantine (2-connector) | 5/32" | 1/8" | 3/32" | 5/64" |
| Double Spiral | 1/8" | |||
| Dragonscale | 3/16" & 1/8" | |||
| European 4-1 | 1/8" | 3/32" | ||
| European 6-1 | 5/32" | 1/8" | ||
| Full Persian 6-1 | 13/64" | 11/64" | 1/8" | |
| GSG | 5/32" | 1/8" | ||
| Half Persian 3-1 | 1/8" | |||
| Half Persian 3-1 Sheet 6 | 11/64" | 9/64" | ||
| Half Persian 4-1 | 13/64" | 5/32" | 1/8" | 3/32" |
| Helm/Parallel Chain | 3/16" & 1/8" | |||
| Jens Pind's Linkage | 1/8" | 3/32" | ||
| Turkish Round | 1/8" | 3/32" |
ARs are approximate, being calculated rather than measured. You can cross-reference ARs to determine additional sizes that may work for a particular weave.
| Gauge | ID | AR | Weave(s) |
| 18awg/19swg | 13/64" | 5.1 | Full Persian 6-1, Half Persian 4-1 |
| 11/64" | 4.3 | Box | |
| 5/32" | 3.9 | Byzantine (2-connector) | |
| 1/8" | 3.1 | Jens Pind's Linkage | |
| 20awg | 3/16" | 5.9 | Dragonscale, Helm (both with 20awg 1/8") |
| 11/64" | 5.4 | Half Persian 3-1 sheet 6, Full Persian 6-1 | |
| 5/32" | 4.9 | European 6-1, GSG, Half Persian 4-1 | |
| 9/64" | 4.4 | Box | |
| 1/8" | 3.9 | Byzantine (2-connector), Dragonscale (with 20awg 3/16"), European 4-1, Half Persian 3-1, Helm (with 20awg 3/16"), Turkish Round | |
| 3/32" | 2.9 | Jens Pind's Linkage | |
| 22awg | 9/64" | 5.6 | Half Persian 3-1 sheet 6 |
| 1/8" | 4.9 | Double Spiral, European 6-1, Full Persian 6-1, GSG, Half Persian 4-1 | |
| 3/32" | 3.7 | Byzantine (2-connector), European 4-1, Turkish Round | |
| 24awg | 3/32" | 4.7 | Half Persian 4-1 |
| 5/64" | 3.9 | Byzantine (2-connector) |
These are round rings made with square wire measuring 0.032" x 0.032". (20awg wire has a diameter of 0.032".) Note that The Ring Lord currently offers these rings in sterling silver rather than fine silver.
| ID | Weave(s) |
| 3/16" | Full Persian 6-1, Half Persian 4-1 |
| 1/8" | Byzantine |
Theresa Olin, 2004-2007