Getting your size right is the single biggest factor in how long a set of press-on nails stays put. A nail that is too wide catches on things and lifts early. A nail that is too narrow leaves a strip of your own nail showing and comes off sooner than it should. Since your set ships with 10 nails plus 5 spares in one size, it is worth spending two minutes with a ruler before you order. Here is exactly how, finger by finger.
Why we ask you to measure before you order
A lot of press-on brands sidestep the sizing question by packing 30 nails in 15 different sizes into one box. You try them on, keep the 10 that fit, and toss the rest, paying for 20 nails you will never wear. We do it the other way around. You measure once, pick XS, S, M or L, and every nail in the box is made to fit. Since each set is handmade in soft gel, one at a time rather than mass produced, we make every set in the size you choose instead of guessing in bulk.
How to measure your nails in two minutes
You need a strip of paper or a piece of tape, a pen and a ruler marked in millimetres. A flexible measuring tape works too.
- Measure the widest point of your nail, from side to side, usually just below the middle.
- Lay the paper over your nail and press along both edges. Mark where the nail meets the skin, left and right.
- Lay the paper flat and measure the distance between your two marks in millimetres, rounded to the nearest whole number.
- Repeat for all five fingers on the hand you use less, and check your thumb on the other hand too, since thumbs vary more than people expect.
- Measure twice. If you get the same number both times, you have got it right.
Do not measure over the curve of your nail with a ruler held in the air, since that reads wider than the nail actually is. Paper follows the curve, a ruler on its own does not.
The L'Adele size chart, in millimetres per finger
Our sizes are built finger by finger, measured as width in millimetres at the widest point.
| Size | Thumb | Index | Middle | Ring | Pinky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Line your own measurements up against the chart. If all five fingers land in one column, you are done. More often it is a little messier, so pick the size that fits the most fingers and keep reading below.
Stuck between two sizes? Always go bigger
This is the one piece of advice that matters most in this guide. If you are torn between S and M, choose M. A nail that is half a millimetre too wide can be filed down at the sides in a few passes with the file that comes in every box. A nail that is too small cannot be made bigger, and will keep a gap at the edge that lifts far sooner than it should. The same applies if your measurements are spread across two sizes: take the larger one and file down the fingers that measured smaller, from the side toward the centre, trying the nail on between passes.
What if your fingers do not all match one size?
A wide thumb with narrower fingers is common. Each set comes in a single size, so you have two options: size for your thumb and file the other four down a touch, or size for your fingers and let the thumb sit a fraction narrower. The first option almost always looks better, since a thumb nail that reads too small stands out immediately. If your nail beds are short or you tend to bite your nails, measure the nail bed itself rather than the skin around it, and lean toward our shorter shapes for the most natural fit.
Shape and length are a separate choice from size
Size controls the width, shape controls the look and the length. We offer four shapes, from shortest to longest: Round, Oval Short, Square Short and Oval Long. Round and Oval Short feel the most natural for everyday wear and typing, while Oval Long gives you extra length for an occasion. Browse the full range in the handmade soft gel nails collection, and see every size and shape on our size guide page.
Not ready to measure yet? Try the Beginnerset Reflected
If this is your first press-on purchase and you would rather try before committing to a size, our Beginnerset Reflected is built for exactly that, with 30 nails across sizes S, M and L so you can test what fits. Once you know your size, ordering your next set is easy.
What if it still does not fit?
Even with careful measuring, sometimes a size is off. If you have not worn the set, you can exchange it for the right size within 14 days in our returns centre. You pay the return shipping and we send the new size free of charge. We ship to Canada with duties and taxes prepaid, and delivery usually takes about 7 business days. For everything else on returns and shipping, see our Canada page.
FAQ about press-on nail sizing
What size press-on nails do I need?
Measure the width of each nail at its widest point in millimetres and compare your numbers to the chart above. The size that fits the most fingers is your size. If you are between two sizes, go with the larger one.
What happens if my press-on nails are too big?
File the sides down, working from the outer edge toward the centre with the file included in your box. Go slowly, in small amounts, and check the fit on your finger between passes.
What happens if my press-on nails are too small?
Unfortunately that cannot be fixed, which is exactly why we recommend sizing up when you are unsure. If you already ordered and the size is off, you can exchange an unused set within 14 days for the size you actually need. Arrange it in our returns centre with your order number and email address.
Are both of my hands the same size?
Usually, with the thumb as the exception, so measure both thumbs separately. Each set includes 10 nails for both hands plus 5 spares, so a mismatched thumb is often easy to solve with a spare filed down slightly.
Once my size is right, how long will the set actually last?
With the adhesive tabs in the box, most people get 1 to 2 weeks out of a set, around 10 days on average, though it runs shorter if your hands are in water a lot. We walk through everything that affects wear time, plus how to remove and reuse your nails, in our wear time and removal guide.
