Cigar Sizes, Shapes, & Ring Gauges

Generally speaking, all cigars are more or less the same in appearance: long and cylindrical. This shape is generally referred to as a parejo, meaning parallel in Spanish. The other shape cigars are categorized in is called figurado. Although many popular figurado shapes (such as Torpedos, Perfectos, etc.) are available, the vast majority of premium cigars sold today are parejos.

How Are Cigar Sizes Measured?

Before we dive into all the specific sizes and shapes, it’s a good idea to understand how cigars are measured, since the name can be different depending on what brand you are looking at. The shape of a cigar is measured according to length and diameter. The length of a cigar is measured in inches, but the diameter is measured according to its ring gauge.

The ring gauge of a cigar goes hand-in-hand with its length since size drives a key component of style, construction, and burning experience. Ring gauge is a unit of measurement divisible by 64. Most cigars have a ring gauge of 64 or less. There’s no real trick to this – the ring gauge system may appear confusing at first, but it is simply an antiquated system that measures the diameter of a cigar in units of 64 (64 is equal to 1 inch). Therefore, a ring gauge of 48 would be 3/4 of an inch thick (48/64). While there are no set rules to the thickness of a cigar, there are industry standards most manufacturers follow, catering to the demands of the marketplace.

The ring gauge is set by the individual cigar maker and represents the size he feels optimizes the flavor of his blend. As a point of reference, included below is a Ring Gauge Guide with the most common sizes you’ll find in today’s cigars.

Now, about the role a ring gauge plays. First and foremost, the thicker the cigar, the cooler the smoke. Thinner sizes tend to burn hot as you approach the nub and could lead to a harsh or bitter flavor. Second, the thickness of a cigar can drastically change the flavor due to the ratio of wrapper to filler. Thin cigars contain a lower proportion of filler, so the wrapper will play a more dominant role in flavor and strength. The same blend in a thicker format will differ in taste – as the maker utilizes more filler leaf, allowing him to become more creative with the blend. The wrapper plays a lesser role in this case but will still account for a good amount of flavor and strength.

Many enthusiasts are loyal to a specific format due to mouth and hand feel. However, many focus on flavor and strength. If this is you, you probably enjoy one line of cigars in a Robusto format but prefer a Corona in another line. This is the fun part! A chance to really dig into your favorite blends to discover new and exciting tastes you may be missing out on.

Actual Size Guide & Ruler