If you are new to rhinestones, "ss16" looks like a code. It is actually very simple once you learn it. ss stands for stone size, and the number tells you roughly how big the stone is in millimeters. Higher number means bigger stone.
The full ss size chart
Diameter ranges below are aggregated from standard glass flatback rhinestone size references12. Actual measurements vary slightly by manufacturer.
| ss size | Diameter (mm) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| ss3 | 1.3 to 1.5 mm | Fine detail, tiny faces, nails |
| ss5 | 1.7 to 1.9 mm | Nail art, fine text outlines |
| ss6 | 1.9 to 2.1 mm | Small logos, card making |
| ss8 | 2.3 to 2.5 mm | Small project fills |
| ss10 | 2.7 to 2.9 mm | Fine fills, kids clothes |
| ss12 | 3.0 to 3.2 mm | Card accents, jewelry |
| ss16 | 3.8 to 4.0 mm | Tumblers, most general projects |
| ss20 | 4.6 to 4.8 mm | Clothing, dance costumes |
| ss30 | 6.3 to 6.5 mm | Statement pieces, borders |
| ss34 | 7.0 to 7.3 mm | Large accents, phone cases |
| ss40 | 8.2 to 8.7 mm | Focal centerpieces, big bling |
How to pick a size
For your first project, start with ss16. It is the goldilocks size. Visible enough to look like bling, not so big it looks chunky. Works for tumblers, clothing, crafts.
Go smaller when detail matters. Text, small logos, nail art, and fine design work want ss6 to ss12 range. You can fit more information in the same space.
Go bigger when coverage matters. If you have a lot of area and a normal budget, bigger stones cover faster and finish quicker. ss20 covers twice the area of ss10 per stone.
Rule of thumb: the further away the piece will be viewed, the bigger the stones should be. Stage costume? ss20+. Phone case held 12 inches from your face? ss10 to ss16. Nail? ss5 to ss8.
Common sizes by project type
Tumblers: ss16 most common, ss10 for fine detail work.
T-shirts and kids clothing: ss10 to ss16.
Dance costumes: ss16 to ss20. Sometimes ss30 for accents.
Pageant gowns: ss20 to ss30 for main fill, ss40 for focal points.
Nail art: ss3 to ss8.
Phone cases: ss10 to ss16.
Shoes and sneakers: ss16 to ss30.
Wedding items (dress, veil, sash): ss10 to ss20, often mixed.
Can I mix sizes?
Yes. Mixed sizes create visual texture. A common approach: ss16 as your base fill, ss20 or ss30 scattered through for depth, ss10 packed tight in the smallest areas. Works beautifully on organic shapes like flowers and leaves.
If you are brand new, master one size first. Mixing looks amazing when it is done with intent, messy when it is done because you ran out of the size you wanted.
Real-world size comparison
Hold these up to a ruler if you can. That's the fastest way to internalize the scale.
- ss6 is about the size of a poppy seed.
- ss10 is about the size of a grain of sand.
- ss16 is about the size of a match head.
- ss20 is about the size of a peppercorn.
- ss30 is about the size of a small pea.
- ss40 is about the size of a pencil eraser.
Quick recap. ss = stone size in mm roughly. ss16 is your default. Smaller for detail, bigger for distance or statement. Mix sizes only when you know what you want.