Size is the one thing that makes or breaks a set of press-on nails. Get it right and you forget you're wearing them within the hour. Get it wrong and a nail either pops off by teatime or leaves a gap at the side that catches on tights and jumpers. Press-on nails, false nails, glue on nails, stick on nails: whatever you call them, the fit works the same way, and it's worth two minutes with a ruler before you order.
At L'Adele every set is made by hand in our studio, one at a time rather than mass produced, and each set comes in the one size you choose. That makes the choice matter more than with a one-size box from the high street. This guide covers measuring properly, reading our size chart per finger, and what to do if your hands aren't perfectly symmetrical.
Why size matters more than shape or colour
A press-on nail is only ever as good as the width at its base. Too wide and the sides overhang your natural nail, catching on hair and clothing until the tab gives up. Too narrow and a sliver of your own nail shows down one edge, letting water and soap creep underneath and lifting the tab early. The right width sits flush from corner to corner, and that flush fit is what makes a tab hold for the full fortnight rather than a couple of days.
How to measure your nails properly
You need a strip of paper or sticky tape, a pen, and a ruler marked in millimetres. A soft tape measure works too.
- Find the widest point, usually around the middle of the nail, just before it narrows towards the cuticle.
- Lay the strip across the nail at that point, press it gently into the curve and mark both edges where the nail meets the skin.
- Lay the strip flat and measure between your two marks in millimetres, rounding to the nearest whole number.
- Repeat for all five fingers, and check your thumb on the other hand too. Thumbs are more likely than any other finger to differ side to side.
- Measure twice. The same number both times means you can trust it.
The sticky tape trick is easiest if your nails curve a lot, since tape follows the curve rather than floating above it like a ruler held in the air. That habit is the most common reason people order a size too small, because it reads the curve as a straight line and comes out narrower than the nail really is.
The L'Adele size chart, per finger
Our sizes run XS, S, M and L, and each one is built around exact millimetre widths for every finger, measured at the widest point the way you just measured your own.
| Size | Thumb | Index finger | Middle finger | Ring finger | Little finger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 14 mm | 10 mm | 11 mm | 10 mm | 8 mm |
| S | 15 mm | 11 mm | 12 mm | 11 mm | 9 mm |
| M | 16 mm | 12 mm | 13 mm | 12 mm | 10 mm |
| L | 17 mm | 13 mm | 14 mm | 13 mm | 11 mm |
Lay your own measurements next to this table. If all five fingers land in one column, your size is obvious. Most hands are messier than that, with a thumb and middle finger in one size and the rest a size down. Pick whichever size fits the majority of your fingers and read on for what to do about the odd ones out.
Stuck between two sizes? Always take the larger one
This is the single most useful piece of advice in this guide. Torn between S and M? Choose M. A nail that's slightly too wide files down at the sides in a few strokes with the file in every box. A nail that's too narrow cannot be made wider and will always leave a gap where lifting starts. When your measurements split across two sizes, take the larger size and file the narrower fingers to match, a little at a time, checking as you go.
What if my hands are two different sizes?
Very common, especially at the thumb. Every set comes with 10 nails for your fingers plus 5 spares, all in the size you choose, so you'll usually have a spare to file down slightly for the one finger that runs narrower. If an entire hand consistently measures a size smaller, order the larger size for the full set and file that hand's nails down rather than mixing two boxes.
What a good fit actually looks and feels like
Once it's on, a correctly sized nail sits flush against your skin on both sides with no white gap and no overhang. It shouldn't pinch at the base, and you shouldn't be able to slide a fingernail underneath the side wall. Press along the edge; if it holds firm rather than lifting, you've got the right size. Full application steps are covered on how it works.
Our four shapes explained
Size and shape are separate decisions. Size is about width, from the chart above. Shape is length and outline, and we offer four, shortest to longest: Round, neat and easiest to wear all day; Oval Short, a softer, tapered version of the same short length; Square Short, a flatter tip for a cleaner look that stays practical for typing; and Oval Long, our longest shape, for when you want length for an occasion. For something low key for the office, our nude nails for work collection pairs naturally with the two shorter shapes.
Common sizing mistakes to avoid
- Measuring with a straight ruler held above a curved nail, which reads narrower than the nail really is.
- Guessing based on a previous brand's numbered scale. Other brands use different scales, so a size that fitted elsewhere won't line up with ours.
- Rounding down when in doubt, the one mistake with no fix once a nail is filed.
- Only measuring one hand and assuming the other matches, particularly at the thumb.
- Filing too much in one go rather than a little at a time, checking the fit as you go.
Never measured before and would rather try than measure? Our Beginnerset Reflected gives you 30 nails across sizes S, M and L in one box, so you can find your size by fitting.
If you do order the wrong size
It happens, and it's an easy fix. If your set turns out to be the wrong size, you can exchange an unused set for the right one within 14 days. You pay the return postage and we send the new size free of charge. Start your exchange in our returns portal and we'll sort you out with a set that fits properly.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my press-on nail size without buying a sizing kit?
Measure the widest point of each nail in millimetres using paper or tape and a ruler, then match your numbers against our chart above. No sizing kit needed, just a ruler and two minutes.
What happens if I choose the wrong size?
A nail that's too wide can be filed down to fit. One that's too narrow cannot be widened, so always round up rather than down. If the whole set turns out wrong, you can exchange an unused set within 14 days in our returns portal; we send the new size free of charge.
Do press-on nails come in half sizes?
Ours are XS, S, M and L. Rather than half sizes, we recommend taking the larger of two neighbouring sizes and filing the sides down slightly, which gives a more precise fit than a half size ever could.
Can I use different sizes on different fingers?
Each set comes in one size, but every set includes 5 spare nails alongside the 10 for your fingers, so you can file a spare down for the one finger, often the thumb, that runs a size smaller.
Does nail shape affect which size I should choose?
No, size and shape are independent. Size is about width and comes from your measurements. Shape, whether Round, Oval Short, Square Short or Oval Long, is about length and outline, a separate, purely visual choice.
Once you know your size, you'll find every shape and finish in our full range of handmade soft gel press-on nails. Wondering how long a set actually lasts once it's on? We've covered that in how long do press-on nails last. Ordering from the UK? Our press-on nails UK page puts delivery, payment and exchanges in one place.
