There is no single correct hand. Where an engagement ring is worn depends on the country, the culture, sometimes the religion, and very often simple personal preference.
The left hand
In the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, France and Italy, among others, both the engagement ring and the wedding ring are usually worn on the fourth finger of the left hand.
The right hand
In several countries, including Germany, Poland, Russia, Norway, Greece and much of Spain, wedding rings are traditionally worn on the right hand. Customs for the engagement ring itself vary more: in Germany, for example, the engagement ring is often worn on the left hand before the wedding and the wedding ring on the right hand after it.
Rings that change hands
Some traditions move the ring. In Brazil, couples often wear their bands on the right hand during the engagement and move them to the left after the wedding.
Practical reasons
- Some people wear rings on their non-dominant hand to protect them from knocks.
- Left-handed people sometimes prefer the right hand, and the reverse.
- Work, sport or comfort can all be good reasons to choose one hand over the other.
Traditions vary within countries and communities, and this article is a general overview. The right hand, in the end, is the one that feels right.
On the wedding day
In countries where both rings share the same finger, some people move the engagement ring to the other hand for the ceremony, so that the wedding band can be placed on the finger first, and then return the engagement ring above it. Others simply wear the band above the engagement ring. Both are common.
Modern choices
Many couples today choose freely: rings on different hands, rings on different fingers, or a single ring that serves as both. Couples of the same sex, or couples in which both partners wear engagement rings, often define their own conventions. None of this conflicts with tradition, because tradition itself has always varied from place to place.
Size both hands
Fingers on the dominant hand are often slightly larger. If you may wear the ring on either hand at different times, measure both fingers and discuss the right size. Read How to measure ring size at home.
When travelling or moving
If you live in a country with a different custom, people may occasionally misread which hand you wear your ring on. It is a pleasant conversation starter, rarely more.
Sources: General overview of documented customs; practices vary within countries and between communities.
Frequently asked questions
Is it wrong to wear an engagement ring on the right hand?
No. In many countries the right hand is traditional, and personal comfort is a perfectly good reason too.
Which hand in Spain?
Customs vary by region, but in much of Spain the wedding ring is traditionally worn on the right hand.
Do both partners wear engagement rings?
Traditionally one partner did, but many couples now both wear engagement rings. It is entirely a personal choice.
Is my dominant hand's ring finger larger?
Often slightly. Measure the finger on the hand you will actually wear the ring on.
