The Complete Guide to Apple Watch Bands: sizing, styles, and more
One of the cleverest things Apple did when it released the Apple Watch in 2015 was to develop a system that allows users to quickly change watch bands (or straps, in the UK). Changing normal watch bands, using little spring bars, is difficult and delicate, so most people rarely change them unless they’re worn out. With the Apple Watch, you can change your Band in seconds, so you can use a different Band according to your mood or activity, or to match your outfit. This is especially useful if you want a waterproof Band for swimming or working out, and a leather Band for when you go out on the town.
To date, Apple has released more than 640 bands in more than a dozen different styles. Here’s a complete guide to all the Apple Watch bands that are currently available.
- Apple Watch Band compatibility
- Sport Band
- Solo Loop
- Sport Loop
- Nike Sport Band and Sport Loop
- Leather bands
- Stainless steel bands
- Apple Watch Ultra bands
- Hermès bands
- Choosing the right Apple Watch Band
- How can I learn more?
Apple Watch Band compatibility
Apple has iterated the size of the Apple Watch over the years. The first models, through the Series 3, came in 38mm and 42mm case sizes. The Series 4, 5, and 6, and the SE, were 40mm and 44mm. The Series 7 and 8 are 41mm and 45mm. And the Apple Watch Ultra is 49mm.
Apple says that “You can match most bands with any Apple Watch Series 3 or newer case of the same size.” So a 41mm Band works with a 40mm or 42mm watch, and a 45mm Band works with 42mm, 44mm, and 49mm models.
If you want all the details about every Band that Apple has sold, the free Bandbreite app has a complete database of Apple and Hermès bands.
Sport Band
The Sport Band could be considered the default Apple Watch Band. It was one of the first bands Apple released, and has been iterated in 120 different colors over the years, more than any other Band. Made from comfortable fluoroelastomer, it doesn’t stick to your skin when you sweat, and is robust. It’s ideal for working out, swimming, and dancing. At 49, it’s tempting to get several, such as a bright color for when you want to express yourself, and a black or brown Band for when you dress up. Like most Apple Watch bands, the range of colors changes over time, with new collections in the spring and fall of each year.
The Sport Loop comes in two sizes, S/M (140 – 190 mm wrists) and M/L (160 – 210 mm), and fits 41mm and 45mm watches.
Solo Loop
Apple released the Solo Loop in fall 2020, in two versions: the “liquid silicone rubber” 49 Solo Loop, and the 99 Braided Solo Loop, made from “stretchable recycled yarn interwoven with silicone threads.” As a single piece of material without a clasp, you have to get these bands in the correct size for your wrist. If you get a Solo Loop that’s too tight, it can feel like wearing a rubber Band.
Apple says that these bands can stretch as you put them on and take them off. In my experience, wearing a Braided Solo Loop for a few months stretched it to the point that I can no longer wear it, whereas the standard Solo Loop barely stretches.
The 41mm models come in sizes 1 to 9, and the 45mm models in sizes 1 to 12. You can download a printable sizing tool from Apple’s website, or you can get your wrist measured in an Apple Store.
Sport Loop
The 49 Sport Loop is a lightweight, nylon Band with a hook and loop fastener. It is infinitely adjustable, and comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It absorbs water, so may not be ideal for swimming, and needs a good rinse after workouts. This is the lightest Apple Watch Band.
The 41mm models are for 130mm – 200 mm wrists, and the 45mm model is for 145mm – 220mm wrists.
Nike Sport Band and Sport Loop
Apple has sold Nike Sport Bands since 2016, and Sport Loops since 2018. The Nike Sport Band is the same as the standard Sport Band, but has perforations; the Nike Sport Look just has Nike branding. Both cost 49, and fit the same Apple Watch models and wrists as the plain Apple versions. For several years, Apple sold a Nike branded watch, with special faces and bands, but now sells the bands separately and the faces are available for all models.
Leather bands
The 99 Leather Link is a two-piece magnetic Band that snaps shut when you put the watch on. It is adjustable and comfortable, though it’s a bit heavy. It is available for 41mm watches (130mm – 160mm wrists) and 45mm watches (140mm – 180mm).
The 149 Modern Buckle, one of the original bands, only fits the smaller watch models (38mm, 40mm, and 41mm), and comes in three sizes (135 – 150mm wrists, 145mm – 165mm, and 160mm – 180mm). It is slightly adjustable, with a pin and five holes under the buckle, but you should probably check it out in an Apple Store before buying to get the right size.
Stainless steel bands
Another of the original bands is the 99 Milanese Loop. This braided mesh Band uses a magnetic clasp, and is easy to adjust to any size wrist. (With limits, of course: the 41mm model fits 13mm – 180mm wrists, and the 45mm model fits 150mm – 200 mm). In gold, silver, and graphite, these bands are subtle and classy.
The Link Bracelet is the biggest, heaviest Band that Apple makes. In two colors, Silver (349) and Space Black (449), this is also the most expensive. These are finely machined bands, but the price is prohibitive. Available for 38mm watches (135mm – 195mm wrists) and 42mm (150mm – 200mm), you can also buy a 45 set of five additional links for even larger wrists. And Apple has invented a clever way to adjust these bands by easily removing or adding links, so you can get the perfect fit.
Apple Watch Ultra bands
With the release of the Apple Watch Ultra, in fall 2022, Apple started selling three new types of bands designed for these models. Even though the Apple Watch Ultra has a 49mm case, these bands work with 44mm and 45mm watches.
The 99 Alpine Loop is a slightly stretchy Band with a titanium hook that you insert into loops to close it. It’s a very light Band, and looks a bit like “gear.” Available in small (130m – 160mm), medium (145mm – 190mm), and large (165mm – 210mm), there is some leeway, with the loops on the outside of the Band, but it’s best to make sure which size fits you.
The 99 Trail Loop is similar to the Sport Loop, but has titanium lugs, a tab to make it easier to adjust, and is about 1mm wider. The materials are slightly better, but, other than having lugs to match an Apple Watch Ultra, there’s not much advantage to this Band over its cheaper sibling. It comes in two sizes, S/M (130mm – 180mm) and M/L (145mm – 200mm).
The 99 Ocean Band is made with a tubular elastomer, it can fit even over a wetsuit (and you can get a 49 extension if you need more length). It’s a bit bulky for everyday use, but is great for water sports.
Hermès bands
Apple also sells bands made by the French company Hermès, in several leather and nylon models, with stainless steel lugs and buckles, cost from 319 to 849. Apple also sells Hermès Apple Watch models, which are standard Apple Watches with a Hermès Band, but they also give you access to an exclusive Hermès watch face. When you buy an Hermès watch, you get two bands: the leather or nylon Band you choose, plus a Hermès branded sport Band, in black or Hermès orange, which are not sold separately.
Choosing the right Apple Watch Band
This article has focused on Apple Watch bands that Apple itself sells in its stores. But as you might imagine, lots of third-party sellers offer unofficial Apple Watch bands, commonly available via online retail stores such as Amazon. The quality of these third-party bands is often (though not always) inferior to the genuine, Apple-authorized and Apple-sold watch bands. But if Apple doesn’t sell the exact design you want, or if you want extra options for accessorizing — or if you want to save a bit of money in exchange for a potentially lower-quality product — then a Band from a third-party seller might also be worth considering.
You have lots of options for Apple Watch bands. Some are sporty, some are classy, and since they’re so easy to change, you may end up buying several to wear on different occasions. It’s a great way to personalize your Apple Watch.
And if you need help picking your next Apple Watch model, we’ve got an article that can help you with that, too: Which Apple Watch is right for you?
How can I learn more?
Each week on the Intego Mac Podcast, Intego’s Mac security experts discuss the latest Apple news, including security and privacy stories, and offer practical advice on getting the most out of your Apple devices. Be sure to follow the podcast to make sure you don’t miss any episodes.
You can also subscribe to our e-mail newsletter and keep an eye here on The Mac Security Blog for the latest Apple security and privacy news. And don’t forget to follow Intego on your favorite social media channels:
Apple Watch 7 vs Apple Watch 4: Should you upgrade?
There are quite a few differences between the Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 4. Three years later, Apple Watch 4 owners might be wondering if it’s time to upgrade after reading our Apple Watch 7 review.
You’re supposed to get a few years out of Apple’s smartwatches. Not that the iPhone isn’t built to last, but there aren’t as many annual trade-in incentives for the Apple Watch as there are for the company’s smartphones. That’s why it’s pretty unexpected for someone to swap out the Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 6.
- Everything we know about the Apple Watch 8
- Apple Watch 7 tips: Features to enable and disable
- Plus:The next Apple Watch could measure you blood pressure
But if you’ve been using the same Apple Watch for several years now, you could be due for something fresh. In our “Should you buy the Apple Watch 7?” guide, we recommended looking into how to trade in your Apple Watch if you have a Series 4. This is probably the last year it’ll be worth a fair sum.
Still, is enough different for you to make the upgrade to the best Apple Watch? Here’s everything you need to know about the Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 4, from new features to how their battery lives compare.
Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 4: Specs compared
41mm, 45mm | 40mm, 44mm |
Midnight, Starlight, Green, Blue, Red | Silver, Space Gray, Gold |
S7 | S4 |
Yes | No |
32GB | 16GB |
SpO2, ECG, heart rate notifications | ECG, heart rate notifications |
18 hours | 18 hours |
Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 4: Price and availability
The Apple Watch 7 is available now and starts at 399 for the 41mm model. The larger 45mm model starts at 429. For cellular support, which lets your Apple Watch optionally work untethered from your iPhone, you’ll spend 499 for the 41mm size or 529 for the 45mm size.
You can’t buy the Apple Watch 4 new anymore. You can trade it in for about 100 towards a different device through Apple or Best Buy, if you want. And yes, you can also buy the Apple Watch 4 refurbished, but we’d recommend checking out the best cheap smartwatches instead.
And see all the best Apple Watch deals right now before you buy. You could find big savings on Apple’s smartwatches, depending on the retailer.
Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 4: Design and display
The first thing you probably noticed about the Series 4 was its face. At the time, Apple stripped away the thick bezels surrounding the watch’s display and brought the screen much closer to the edge compared to the Apple Watch 3. It also grew the Apple Watch sizes from 38mm and 42mm to 40mm and 44mm.
Now, the Apple Watch 7 features the first real redesign since the Series 4 changes made in 2018, again introducing new Apple Watch 7 sizes — 41mm and 45mm. The chassis is slightly curvier, with a more seamless transition from the screen to the case. The Apple Watch 7 display is up to 20% larger than the Apple Watch 6 display, and by proxy the Apple Watch 4 display.
Speaking of displays, the Apple Watch 4 doesn’t have an Always On option. It’s been a screen feature of every Apple Watch since the Apple Watch 5, with the exception of the Apple Watch SE. The Apple Watch 7 even has a brighter Always On mode than before. We appreciate being able to see our complications more subtly, without raising our wrists, so this could be a reason to upgrade your current Series 4.
A few more design differences to note are durability and color options. Both the Apple Watch 7 and Apple Watch 4 are swim-proof, though only the former is rated IP6X for resistance. The Apple Watch 7 colors are completely new compared to the Apple Watch 4 colors, too. The seventh-generation smartwatch comes in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Green and Red.
Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 4: Features
There are a few Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 4 features worth noting, though they offer mostly the same UI and app collections thanks to watchOS 8. The Apple Watch 7 has a Blood Oxygen app thanks to the SpO2 sensor added with the Apple Watch 6, but apps like Noise, Sleep and Find My that didn’t originally ship on the Apple Watch 4 became available via software updates.
On the Apple Watch 7, watchOS 8 is slightly altered to make use of the increased screen space. In addition to some exclusive watch faces, certain buttons are larger, plus the Apple Watch 7 has a QWERTY keyboard.
Both Apple Watch models have in-depth activity tracking, on-board GPS and the option to add a Cellular line. The Apple Watch 4 doesn’t have a compass like the Apple Watch 7, though. It also has less music storage — 16GB compared to 32GB.
Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 4: Battery life
The Apple Watch 7 and Apple Watch 4 should both last up 18 hours on a full charge. Of course, device batteries deteriorate over time, so you might find your Apple Watch 4 needs to be charged more often. You can check your smartwatch’s battery health in settings.
One battery life perk of the Apple Watch 7 is that it comes with a new USB-C to Magnetic cord that’s supposed to help charge the watch 33% faster than the Apple Watch 6. You should be able to get 8 hours of battery life for sleep tracking with an 8-minute top off before bed, too.
Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch 4: Should you upgrade?
While Apple Watch 4 users have a few more years of software updates to look forward to, the Series 4 is now three years old, and might be worth swapping out. Especially if you wear your Apple Watch every day. The larger screen and Always On display mode make a big difference with the Apple Watch 7.
Another reason you would consider upgrading is if you’re running short on storage. The Series 4 only holds 16GB, while the Series 7 holds 32GB. Of course, you’ll also get other upgrades from the Series 5 and Series 6 like a compass and Blood Oxygen monitoring.
If you’re hoping to get trade-in value for your current Apple Watch towards a new one, this is probably the last year the Series 4 will be worth a good sum. Consider handing over your Apple Watch 4 to ease the price of the Apple Watch 7, as long as it’s in working condition. You can check out our guide to the Apple Watch 7 vs. Apple Watch SE to find out if Apple’s midrange smartwatch makes more sense for you, too.
Apple Watch Series 7 review: Is the bigger display worth it?
The Apple Watch Series 7, the tech giant’s latest offering, focuses more on upgrading the aesthetics rather than performance compared to its predecessor.
After spending a week with the Apple Watch Series 7, we’ve found that it’s inherently the same Apple Watch experience with a larger display — keeping all the features of the Series 6, so tools such as heart rate, electrocardiograms (ECGs), blood oxygen and activity tracking are all here.
Wondering if the Apple Watch Series 7 is for you? It’s time to unpack the experience from our wrist.
The Series 7, while not an immediate upgrade from the Series 6, it is for those with older models. Those new to Apple Watch are joining at a time where the FOCUS is on how you interact and use the Watch.
The who, what and how
Who this is for: If you have a Series 6, there’s not a real reason to rush out and upgrade to the Series 7. Those from a Series 5 or older will see performance improvements, the ability to take an ECG or blood oxygen level and benefit from the bigger screen. If you have a Series 3 or older, the larger display along with new communication and health features will be the biggest leap.
What you need to know: The Series 7 features a large display (20% bigger over Series 6 and 40% over Series 3), and it can charge faster. The larger display makes it easier to interact with, and as a whole the interface feels less cramped.
How this compares: In comparison to other Apple Watches, Series 7 is the most advanced, with a larger always-on display, support for fast charging and health features like the ability to monitor blood oxygen along with an electrocardiogram function. The Watch SE is a good competitor, as it only lacks the zippy performance, an always-on display and a few health features. It’s more affordable at 279. Competing options from Fossil don’t offer deep integrations with iOS, and Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 doesn’t work with the iPhone.
The larger display breathes fresh air into the Apple Watch
Even with the larger display, Apple didn’t increase the case size, so it’s not like you’re wearing a larger watch on your wrist. Instead, the bezels around the display are slimmed down to just 1.7 millimeters thick.
The increase in size is immediately noticeable — so much so that looking at the side of the Apple Watch lets you see the outer rim of the watch face and even make out notifications as they pop in. This is a unique characteristic of the glass OLED display, as it slopes down the edges.
And the screen is a full millimeter larger in comparison to Series 6 (41mm from 40mm, and 45mm from 44mm) — it’s a small difference on paper, but it does let you more easily read a large section of text, see more details without scrolling and easily hit the right on-screen button. WatchOS 8 has been optimized for the new screen, and the user interface as a whole or with individual apps will look a little different. Dialing a number in the phone app features much larger numbers, and the same goes for the calculator. As a result, we found ourselves doing a whole lot more directly on our wrist over the past week.
The display is an always-on Retina display, which offers vibrant colors and sharp contrast points (think sharp text when reading an email). The always-on nature allows you to look at the Watch and see the time or whatever else is on your watch face without needing to tap the screen or engage it. Apple claims the Series 7’s display is 70% brighter than the Series 6, and we did notice in side-by-side tests that the Series 7 displayed complications (widgets on the screen like weather or activity) with more clarity. Apple says they’ve tuned each watch face as well and it really is only noticeable inside. There’s no improvement when using the display outdoors.
One thing we’ve really enjoyed on the Series 7 is just how usable the full QWERTY keyboard is on your wrist. It’s easy to tap each key — so while it might look cramped, we think it’ll be a boon to those who don’t want to always switch between their watch and phone for certain tasks.
Fast charging
With watchOS 7 last year, Apple rolled out Sleep Tracking, which caused a bit of a power issue for some users. If you wanted to track for the whole night, you’d need to charge the Apple Watch again.
Apple is still promising “all day” battery life, which equates to about 18 hours, and we’ve been hitting that day in and day out. Most days we took a few calls, tracked some workouts, monitored our heart rate and responded back to a boatload of messages.
The upgraded Apple Watch Charging Cable included with the Series 7, Apple claims, should charge the Watch from 0% to 80% in 45 minutes and to 100% in 75 minutes — which proved to be the case in our testing.
When it came to charging before sleeping or charging right after waking up, we were able to place the Series 7 for about six to seven minutes on the charger to get between 30% and 40% of battery. In most cases, if we charged for 45 minutes before bed, the watch could make it through the night and a majority of the next day. It’s impressive and essentially fixes the issue of the battery running dry with a quick charge feature.
A similar build with some upgrades to durability
The Apple Watch Series 7 is nearly identical to every Apple Watch before it — with some nuanced upgrades.
Series 7 expands on durability by keeping the WR50 rating (it’s swimproof and waterproof), but bumps the dust rating up to IP6X. This means the Apple Watch is sealed off from dust and doesn’t allow any particles inside. In our testing, wearing the Apple Watch while gardening — near dirt and water — we didn’t experience any issues.
Apple claims the display on Series 7 is the most crack-resistant, and the crystal itself — for the display — is flat on the bottom, which helps it stand up to drops and cracks. We didn’t fully test this with a drop test, but knocking our wrist into a bedpost, table or countertop didn’t present us any issues.
Series 7 is also available in five colors: Midnight, Starlight, Product Red, blue and green. Product Red and blue are more vibrant over years past, while Midnight is a black injected with what seems a very dark blue. We’ll also note that Starlight isn’t silver; it’s more of a gold and silver mixed.
The Series 7 supports all of your current Apple Watch bands — you won’t need to rush out and buy all-new bands.
Expected health features and similar performance
Now, for those coming from a Series 6, we’ll save you from reading — aside from fast charging and the larger display, this is a nearly identical experience. You get the same health features and pretty similar performance.
WatchOS 8 runs swimmingly on the Series 7 — applications open quickly, it promptly illuminates the full display when you raise your wrist, dictation happens nearly in real time and Siri is noticeably quicker at handling requests. The applications that have been optimized here — basically all the preloaded Apple ones — run well without any weird sizing bugs.
We’ll also say that viewing webpages on your wrist — while still comical — is much more useful on a bigger screen. Similarly, you can more effortlessly browse the App Store, and some good news is that the QWERTY keyboard is available in any spot where you can enter text.
And as Apple typically ships, the Series 7 has two new watch faces designed for the bigger display. We’re especially fond of Modular Duo, which digitally shows the time in the top right, with three spots for complications — two large rectangular ones and a circular one in the top left. We’ve been rocking weather up top, with calendar and activity below. It lets you see a lot of bite-size information, even with a quick glance.
While other smartwatches have added health features — like the Galaxy Watch 4 with BMI — the Apple Watch Series 7 isn’t introducing anything new. It can still measure your heart rate or blood oxygen levels, take an ECG and perform full activity tracking. It’s the Apple Watch experience users know, and it performs quite well here. Tracking across all these metrics was pretty much in line with Series 6 (we wore a Series 7, 6, SE and 3 for our testing), which is expected since it’s the same sensor set across the board.
For heart rate and blood oxygen specifically, we tested with two stand-alone devices. As we found last year, the Series 7 was pretty close, with these stand-alone sensors differing only by a digit or two above or below. It was similar to comparing the Series 7 against the Galaxy Watch 4 family as well. Safe to say, it’s an accurate measurement for a smartwatch across all that the Apple Watch can track.
We’d also call out that the Series 7, like other Apple Watches, integrates closely with Fitness, in that your activity measurements are viewable in real time on your wrist and whatever device is streaming the workout.
And an important note: Like any other smartwatch, it should never be used to diagnose. We strongly don’t recommend using those readings to make any medical diagnoses, and Apple suggests the same. When in doubt, contact a doctor.
Bottom line
So, yes, the Apple Watch Series 7 is the best Apple Watch yet — but that’s to be expected since it replaces the Series 6 and adds in new features. The larger display here reinvigorates the experience, and faster charging solves a real problem for some years. That along with the ability to take an ECG, monitor blood oxygen and be always-on with extra durability chops makes it the ultimate Apple Watch.
However, it’s also part of the strongest lineup of watches yet by Apple. The Apple Watch SE at 279 deserves a look if you can live without all the health features and the always-on display. The Series 3 for 199 is still in the lineup but shows it age with performance. We’d recommend the SE or Series 7.
If you have a Series 6 and aren’t absolutely sold that you need a larger display, we’d say hold on to that watch for another year. Those coming from a Series 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or even the original will see improvements across health tracking, performance and battery life, and enjoy a much larger display on Series 7.
And now that the Apple Watch has a larger display, we have to ask when we might see it become a stand-alone device.
Apple Watch size guide: Get the perfect fit for the wrist
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While the Band of any Apple Watch is changeable and adjustable, the size of the case itself is crucial to get right before purchasing.
The first three generations of the Apple Watch came in 38mm and 42mm variations, but things have changed considerably since then.
In 2018, Apple moved to a new size standard for its smartwatches. So Series 4. 6, and, crucially, both the 2020 and 2022 versions of the Apple Watch SE, come in 40mm and 44mm models.
For the Apple Watch Series 7 and Series 8, things are different once again. Both of these generations come in 41mm and 45mm case sizes, while the Apple Watch Ultra is the biggest Apple Watch yet, taking up 49mm on the wrist.
If you’re wondering which size Apple Watch you should get, we’ll show you how to measure your wrist and find the right fit. Discover the full dimensions, weights, and important details of Band compatibility in this guide.
Apple Watch sizes explained
The Apple Watch Series 8 retains the 41mm and 45mm case sizes introduced through the Series 7 in 2021, which means older bands will still be compatible with the latest smartwatch.
And what’s more, 40mm and 44mm bands are still compatible with the new, larger size.
The Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and Series 6 models come in 40mm and 44mm – as does the Apple Watch SE (2020) and SE (2022).
You can no longer buy the Series 3 or lower, which used 38mm and 42mm case sizes.

These measurements, we should make clear, denote the size of the bezel, though the straps do always play a role in the specific fit of the smartwatch on your wrist.
How Apple measures case sizes
Apple also takes its Watch measurement vertically, as opposed to most other brands, which do so horizontally.
These sizes are really important to understand in order to pick the best option for your wrist, so it doesn’t hurt to cut out a paper equivalent and compare them on your wrist – or, you know, just go to an Apple store and try on all four sizes.
So, for the 40mm model, expect a width of 34mm, a depth of 10.7mm, and a case weight of around 30g.
And for the 44m model, you’ll have to deal with a width of 38mm, the same 10.7mm depth, and a 36g case weight.
Full list of Apple Watch case sizes and weights
- Apple Watch SE (40mm): 40 x 34 x 10.7mm; 26.4g (GPS); 27.8g (GPS Cellular)
- Apple Watch SE (44mm): 44 x 38 x 10.7mm; 32.9g (GPS); 33.0g (GPS Cellular)
- Apple Watch Series 8 (41mm): 41 x 35 x 10.7mm; 32g (Aluminium, GPS, GPS Cellular); 42.3g (Stainless Steel)
- Apple Watch Series 8 (45mm): 44 x 38 x 10.7mm; 38.8g (Aluminium, GPS, GPS Cellular); 51.5 grams (Stainless Steel)
- Apple Watch Ultra (49mm): 49 x 44 x 14.4mm; 61.3g
How to choose the right Band size
What actually affects the overall comfort more than the case, of course, is the material and tightness of the Band.
Apple itself has a full guide to the specifics of each of its own Band types through its online store, but, in short, it’s different for every Band and every user.
Apple Watch Series 6 vs 7 (speed effect) #watch #apple #series7
Whether you want the Modern Buckle, Sport, Milanese Loop, Classic Buckle, or Link Bracelet, you’ll have to measure your wrist against the Band dimensions (see the section below for advice).
Also keep in mind that, with some, you’ll have to choose a size when buying, and others (like the Sport bands) come with both an S/M and M/L strap for you to pick between.

The Apple Solo Loop bands have a heap of sizes, for example, and Apple has a tool to measure your wrist so you pick the right size. That’s crucial.
There’s also an entire crop of third-party Apple Watch bands that you can explore. They’re almost always cheaper, and many can pass as the same style as the Apple-own variants.
How to measure your wrist
So, how can you tell for sure? Well, get out the flexible tape measure and size up that wrist.
Hold the strip just below where your wrist bone sits and around where you would normally wear the Band, wrap it around your wrist, and line that up with the sizes of your Watch model.
Generally speaking, a small wrist is 5. 6.5 inches and a large wrist is between 7. 8.5 inches, but the good thing about many Apple Watch bands is that you can adjust with velcro or within the perforations of sports straps to find a very specific fit.
Just don’t go too tight or too loose – not only can it become uncomfortable, but it also affects the accuracy of the Apple Watch’s heart rate monitor.
Conor moved to Wareable Media Group in 2017, initially covering all the latest developments in smartwatches, fitness trackers, and VR. He made a name for himself writing about trying out translation earbuds on a first date and cycling with a wearable airbag, as well as covering the industry’s latest releases.
Following a stint as Reviews Editor at.lint, Conor returned to Wareable Media Group in 2022 as Editor-at-Large. Conor has become a wearables expert, and helps people get more from their wearable tech, via Wareable’s considerable how-to-based guides.
He has also contributed to British GQ, Wired, Metro, The Independent, and The Mirror.
The Ultimate Apple Watch Size Guide for The Best Fit
The performance and functionality of every Apple Watch model from Series 1 to Series 6 have greatly improved since its inception in 2015. The fact that Apple releases each Apple Watch in two sizes has stayed constant over the years. This brings us to a very important question — what size Apple Watch should I get?
Although the answer to this question is not so simple, we have included every possible information you would need on an Apple Watch size guide so that you can get the watch that fits you best.
Measuring Your Wrist
Although the way your watch fits is somewhat individualized, it’s crucial to know how large your wrist is before purchasing the Apple Watch or an additional Band.
Holding the strip in place just below the wrist bone and around the area where the Band would typically be worn, wrap it around your wrist and align it with the dimensions of your Watch model.
A small wrist measures between 5 and 6.5 inches, while a big wrist measures between 7 and 8.5 inches. However, the good news about many Apple Watch bands is that you may customize the fit using velcro or the openings of sports straps.
When taking these measures, be sure the paper, string, or tape measure is securely fastened to your wrist and is not moving about. You need a close fit for all Apple Watch bands so that the watch stays on your skin and that the sensors can work.
Apple Watch Series 8 vs Series 7/6/5/4. Should You Upgrade?
Apple Watch Models: Compare Sizes
You must still be wondering: How do I know what size my Apple Watch is?
Older bands will still work with the most recent wristwatch since the Apple Watch Series 8 keeps the 41mm and 45mm case sizes that were first released with the Series 7 in 2021.
The 40mm and 44mm Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and Series 6 versions, which also include the recently unveiled Apple Watch SE (2020) and SE (2022), are available.
What Size Apple Watch Should I Get?
After determining your proper Apple Watch size, you may explore bands and how each one fits.