Watch Strap Size Guide – How to Measure Lug Width

Watch Strap Size Guide – How to Measure Lug Width

The wrong width is the most common (and the only irreversible) mistake when ordering a new watch strap online. A strap that is even one millimetre off can neither be forced in nor made to fit. Here are three ways to measure correctly before you order.

Three ways to measure

If you still have your old strap, this is the easiest: measure straight across, from the inside of one spring bar hole to the inside of the other, with an ordinary tape measure. If you don't have an old strap, measure the distance between the lugs – the attachment points on the watch case itself – with a calliper or ruler, exactly as we describe in our guide to changing your watch strap. Still unsure, or don't have the watch in front of you right now? Search for your model below and we'll show you the lug width straight away.

Find the right width for your watch strap

Type your watch's model reference below (e.g. "SKX007" or "GA-2100"). Choose one of the matches in the list to see the exact lug width – we only show widths for models we have verified against a reliable source.

We don't have this model in our database yet

But you can easily measure the width yourself:

Diagram showing the lug width of a watch
  1. Look at the back of the watch, between the two "horns" (lugs) where the strap attaches.
  2. Measure the distance between the inside of the lugs with a ruler, in millimetres (mm).
  3. Common widths are 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24 and 26 mm – if your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the nearest one.
💡 Tip: Google "your watch model lug width" – the manufacturer's own site or watch forums often list the width directly.

Watch strap size chart

Can't find your model in the search above, or just want a quick overview? The vast majority of watches fall into one of these four standard widths:

  • 18mm – common on 34–38mm watches, classic ladies' and men's watches with slimmer cases
  • 20mm – by far the most common width, fits most 38–42mm watches
  • 22mm – sports and dive watches, 42–46mm
  • 24mm – larger sports, field and military watches

We stock leather, Nato and rubber watch straps in all four widths – browse leather watch straps, Nato straps or rubber watch straps and filter by your width.

Common mistakes

The most common mistake is going by the watch's case diameter instead of the distance between the lugs – two 42mm watches can have anything from a 20 to a 22mm lug width. The second most common is confusing the width at the case with the width at the buckle; they are almost always different, and it is always the width at the case that determines which watch band fits.

Conclusion

Measuring correctly takes less than a minute and saves you from sending back a strap that never stood a chance of fitting. Once you know your width, see our guide to changing your watch strap for the swap itself, including tools and spring bars.