Cigar Sizes & Ring Gauge Explained

A cigar's size is written as length in inches by ring gauge, the diameter in 64ths of an inch — so "5 x 50" is five inches long and 50/64 of an inch thick. Size changes how long a cigar lasts and how hot or cool it burns more than it changes strength.

How to read a cigar size

A ring gauge of 64 would be one inch across, so a 50 ring cigar is just over three-quarters of an inch thick. Bigger rings hold more filler, burn cooler and usually taste a little mellower; thinner cigars put more emphasis on the wrapper and can taste more intense.

Length mainly decides how long you will be smoking. As a rough guide, count on 10 to 15 minutes per inch, depending on how thick it is and how fast you puff.

Common cigar sizes

Bars are drawn to scale: longer means a longer smoke, thicker means a cooler, milder one. A robusto is the easiest first size.

Names are traditional and every brand varies them a little, so treat these as typical rather than exact.

Name	Typical size	Smoking time	Good to know
Petit corona	4½ x 40–42	30–40 min	A great short smoke.
Corona	5½ x 42–44	45–60 min	The classic benchmark size.
Robusto	5 x 50	45–60 min	Our pick for a first cigar.
Toro	6 x 50–52	60–90 min	America's most popular size.
Lonsdale	6½ x 42–44	60–75 min	Long and elegant.
Churchill	7 x 47–48	75–120 min	Named for the famous prime minister and cigar lover.
Lancero / panatela	7 x 38–40	60–75 min	Thin; lets the wrapper shine.
Gordo	6 x 60	90+ min	Very thick and cool-burning.

Straight vs shaped cigars

Parejos are straight-sided cigars with a rounded head — every size in the table above. They are the most common and the easiest to cut and light.

Figurados are any cigar with a shaped body or head. The ones you will see most often:

Torpedo: a straight body that tapers to a pointed head.
Belicoso: like a torpedo but usually shorter, with a more rounded point.
Perfecto: tapered at both ends and bulging in the middle. Because the foot is narrow, it lights easily and the flavor builds as the cigar widens.
Box-pressed: squared off by being packed tightly in the box. Comfortable to hold and it will not roll off the table.

Which size should a beginner pick?

A robusto or a corona. They are short enough to finish comfortably and thick enough to burn evenly. Save the churchills and 60-ring gordos for when you know you enjoy a long smoke — and remember that a bigger cigar means more total nicotine, even if it tastes mild.