Gauging a cigar refers to measuring its diameter, typically using the "ring gauge" system. This system, while seemingly complicated, is a straightforward way to express a cigar's thickness.
Understanding Cigar Ring Gauge
The ring gauge system measures the diameter of a cigar in units of 64ths of an inch. This means:
- Basic Principle: A ring gauge number indicates how many 64ths of an inch the cigar's diameter is.
- Calculation: To convert the ring gauge to inches, simply divide the ring gauge number by 64.
Example of Ring Gauge Calculation
| Ring Gauge | Calculation | Diameter (Inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | 64/64 | 1 inch |
| 48 | 48/64 | 3/4 inch |
| 32 | 32/64 | 1/2 inch |
As the reference states, most cigars will have a ring gauge of 64 or less. Therefore, knowing the ring gauge gives you a precise measurement of the cigar's diameter.
