💎 Piercing Education 101 - What Gauge and Post Length Mean

If you’ve ever looked at piercing jewelry online or asked your piercer for a size, you’ve probably heard terms like “16 gauge,” “14 gauge,” or “8 mm post.” But what do those actually mean?

Let’s break it down in simple terms — so next time you get pierced or change jewelry, you’ll know exactly what your piercer is talking about.

✨ What Is Gauge?

Gauge refers to the thickness of the jewelry that passes through your piercing.

Here’s the important part: the higher the gauge number, the thinner the jewelry.

That means:

• 16 gauge (16g) jewelry is thinner than 14 gauge (14g).

• 12 gauge would be thicker than both.

⚡ Why Gauge Matters

The right gauge keeps your piercing strong, stable, and healthy. If jewelry is too thin, it can irritate the tissue or even cause the piercing to migrate. If it’s too thick, it can create unnecessary trauma or pressure.

That’s why piercers choose the gauge based on anatomy and movement — not just how it looks.

Here’s what we use at Red Cat Studio and why:

Piercing Gage Chart

So, in short: 16g is sleek and gentle, perfect for most facial and ear piercings, while 14g is stronger and more secure for areas with more motion or thicker tissue.

📏 What Is Post Length?

Post length (or bar length) refers to how long the wearable part of your jewelry is — the section that goes through your piercing from end to end.

It’s measured in millimeters (mm), and it’s just as important as the gauge.

• For fresh piercings, we use longer posts to allow room for swelling.

• Once your piercing heals, we recommend downsizing to a shorter post for comfort and aesthetics.

This step prevents jewelry from catching on things, sitting crooked, or pressing too tightly against your skin.

🌿 Why Post Length Is So Important

If your post is too long, it can tilt or snag easily.
If it’s too short, it can squeeze the tissue and slow healing.

That’s why your piercer measures carefully and checks fit during healing follow-ups.

Each person’s anatomy is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all — but your piercer will always make sure your jewelry fits correctly for both healing and long-term wear.

🖤 The Red Cat Standard

We pierce exclusively with implant-grade titanium jewelry that’s safe, nickel-free, and hypoallergenic. Every piece is internally threaded or threadless, sterilized, and sized perfectly to your anatomy.

Understanding gauge and post length helps you choose jewelry confidently — and keeps your piercings healthy for the long run.