Press-on Nails Tips Sizing Guide
The sizing system for press-on nails in the European and American markets is currently highly mature. To accommodate different nail bed widths, professional brands have upgraded the traditional 10 sizes (0-9) to 15 sizes (0-14). This segmentation provides a better fit, especially for users with very narrow pinky nails.
To ensure the clearest understanding for you and your customers, we have categorized and detailed this into three main types: Individual Nail Tips, Handmade Press-ons, and Machine-Made Press-ons.
I. Individual Nail Tips (Base Nails / Semi-finished)
Individual nail tips (commonly used in physical nail salons or for DIY handmade press-ons) consist of 15 independent sizes ranging from 0 to 14. The smaller the number, the wider the nail tip.
Below are the standard widths corresponding to sizes 0-14 (measured across the curve at the widest part of the nail surface):
| Nail Tip Code | Width (mm) |
| 0 | 18 mm |
| 1 | 17 mm |
| 2 | 16 mm |
| 3 | 15 mm |
| 4 | 14 mm |
| 5 | 13.5 mm |
| 6 | 13 mm |
| 7 | 12 mm |
| 8 | 11.5 mm |
| 9 | 11 mm |
| 10 | 10.5 mm |
| 11 | 10 mm |
| 12 | 9 mm |
| 13 | 8 mm |
| 14 | 7 mm |
Key Note: The exact millimeter measurements may have slight variations of around 0.5 mm depending on the nail shape (e.g., Square, Stiletto, Almond) and different brand molds, but the overall decreasing width rule from 0 to 14 is universal.
II. Handmade Press-on Nails (Pre-set Sizes: XS, S, M, L)
Handmade press-on nails are typically sold in sets of 10 pieces. To prevent users from having to report 10 individual numbers for every purchase, the industry has standardized the 4 most common pre-set sizes: XS, S, M, and L.
Users need to provide the width of their 5 fingers (Thumb - Index - Middle - Ring - Pinky) and match them to the chart below.
Millimeters and Number Codes for XS, S, M, L
| Size Set | Target Audience | 5-Finger Width (Thumb-Index-Middle-Ring-Pinky) | Corresponding Number Code |
| XS (Extra Small) | Extremely slender / Small nail beds | 14 - 10 - 11 - 10 - 7 mm | 3 - 6 - 5 - 6 - 9 |
| S (Small) | Most women / First choice for beginners | 15 - 11 - 12 - 11 - 8 mm | 2 - 5 - 4 - 5 - 8 |
| M (Medium) | Normal bone structure / Slightly wider nail beds | 16 - 12 - 13 - 12 - 9 mm | 1 - 5 - 4 - 5 - 8 |
| L (Large) | Larger bone structure / Wide and flat nail beds | 17 - 13 - 14 - 13 - 10 mm | 0 - 4 - 3 - 4 - 7 |
Note: The number codes for the index and ring fingers may vary slightly for some brands (e.g., XS corresponding to 3-7-6-7-9), depending on the base nail tip mold used by the brand.
To help users more intuitively determine their set size, you can use this interactive tool:
How to Accurately Measure Nail Width
The correct measurement procedure is crucial for the fit of handmade press-ons. If measured incorrectly, the nail tips can easily pinch the skin or fail to stay on securely.
If there is builder gel or gel polish on the nails, it adds thickness, resulting in measurements that are too large.
Find the widest point of your natural nail bed (usually located in the lower-middle section of the nail).
Align the 0 mark of a soft measuring tape with one edge of the nail, keeping it tight against the curve of the nail, and wrap it to the other edge to read the millimeter (mm) value.
You must measure all 10 fingers on both hands separately (people's left and right hand sizes often differ). Record the data and compare it with the XS/S/M/L chart to find the closest set. If the measurements between the two hands differ significantly, a custom size purchase is required.
III. Machine-Made Press-on Nails (Full Set, No Measuring Required)
Unlike the strict "custom fit" of handmade press-ons, machine-made nails emphasize a no-measure, ready-to-use out-of-the-box experience.
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Packaging: A box of machine-made press-ons usually contains 24, 28, or even 30 pieces of nail tips.
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Size Coverage: Within these 20+ pieces, all sizes from 0 to 14 (or 0-11) are covered, and there are 2 pieces for each commonly used size (with rare cases having 3-4 pieces).
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User Experience: When purchasing machine-made nails, users do not need to look at a size chart at all, nor do they need to measure their fingers. After receiving the product, they simply take the nail tips and compare them against their own fingers. They use the two pieces that fit the best, and the rest can be kept as spares or discarded.
