The quick answer: a standard watch strap is 190mm long, which suits most wrists from about 16.5cm to 19cm. Smaller wrists suit a short strap (170–175mm), and larger wrists suit extra long (210mm) or longer.
How strap length is measured
A two-piece strap has a buckle end and a hole end. We quote the length as both pieces added together, not counting the watch. So a 190mm strap is 75mm on the buckle side and 115mm on the hole side. Every strap's size guide gives both figures for each width, so you can compare it with the strap you're wearing now.
Our strap lengths, to scale
These lengths are for 18mm to 22mm straps, the most common men's widths. Narrower straps are usually shorter. On many of our ranges, widths up to 14mm are 170–175mm even at standard length, because they're made for smaller watches.
Which hole are you on?
The quickest check is which hole you use on the strap you wear now.
Measure your wrist
Wrap a strip of paper or a piece of string round your wrist where you wear your watch, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler.
As a rough guide: up to about 16.5cm, go short. From 16.5cm to 19cm, standard. From 19cm to 21cm, extra long. From 21cm to 23cm, XXL, and over 23cm, XXXL. Your watch takes up part of your wrist too, so a large watch needs a little less strap and a small one a little more. If you're right on the edge of two sizes, go by how your current strap fits.
Why too long is as bad as too short
A good strap keeps the buckle roughly central under your wrist, so any extra length is split between both pieces. On a wrist that's too small for the strap, the tail pokes out past the keepers and catches on your sleeves, and you may not be able to fasten it tight enough to stop the watch sliding round. Picking the right length looks neater and keeps your watch secure.
Short and extra long straps
If standard straps always leave you on the holes nearest the watch, our short watch straps are 15–20mm shorter. The Windsor Smooth Short is 175mm and the Henley Short is 170mm. Both come in 18mm, 20mm and 22mm, so they fit full-size watches on smaller wrists.
Our extra long watch straps are 210mm in most ranges from 16mm or 18mm up, 20mm more than standard. Need more? The Windsor Heavy XXL is 235mm, and the Windsor XXXL goes up to 260mm. If the length isn't right when it arrives, you can swap it within 30 days.
Common questions
What is the standard length of a watch strap?
Most standard straps are around 190mm long, with both pieces added together. That's 75mm on the buckle end and 115mm on the hole end, and it fits most wrists from about 16.5cm to 19cm.
What strap length do I need for a small wrist?
If your wrist is under about 16.5cm, or you always use the holes nearest the watch, try a short strap of 170–175mm. Our short straps come in the usual men's widths, so you don't have to change your watch.
Is strap length the same in every width?
Not always. Narrow straps, usually up to 14mm, are often shorter because they're made for smaller watches. Check the size guide on each strap, which lists the length for every width.