How to Remove a Stuck Ring: 5 Effective Strategies

Has it been a while since you took off a ring? Did you try on a ring that seemed big enough going on but won't readily come off? Don't panic—there are some simple things you can do to remove it safely.

Quick Tips to Get a Ring Off

Put one end of a piece of dental floss under the ring. Then, tightly wrap the floss around your finger up to your knuckle. Hold the end of the floss that's under the ring and unwind the floss to move the ring up your finger until you can get it off.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Dental Floss or Ribbon

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Slip one end of the dental floss under the ring. If necessary use a needle to get the dental floss under the ring.^{[1]
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Harvard Medical School
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- Thin ribbon can also work for this.
- Warning: Tight string wraps can cause skin damage, and may only work for simpler cases. If unsuccessful, the finger may be sore, and the swelling may worsen.
Wind snuggly, but not so tightly that you cause pain or turn the finger blue. Unwind it if it's too tight.^{[2]
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Unwind the dental floss, beginning at the bottom of the finger. As you unwind the dental floss from the bottom, your ring will move up your finger until you can get it off.^{[3]
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- If this method doesn’t work, seek medical care as soon as possible.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Lubrication

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Use something slippery. Plenty of "skin-safe" household items can be used as lubricants to get the ring off in one piece and with minimal damage to skin. Dish soap might be your best option. Window cleaners such as Windex often work well—just make sure they don’t have any harsh chemicals. If the skin is broken or cut, choose your lubricant wisely. Otherwise, try any of these, using a generous amount at least as far as the knuckle.^{[4]
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- Vaseline
- Soap and water
- Windex or other window cleaners
  (make sure its safe on skin, read the bottle first)
- Oil (cooking oil, baby oil, etc.)
Turn the ring around the finger a time or two, and spray or rub more lubricant on as well. Gently pull the ring off the finger, working it back and forth and turning it as you go, as necessary.^{[5]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Ice & Elevation

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Place ice on the ring and elevate your arm. Grab an ice pack or wrap a few ice cubes in a towel. After placing the ice pack over the ring, lift your arm over your head for 5-10 minutes.^{[6]
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- If you still can't remove the ring, try elevating the arm above shoulder level for a few minutes.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Plastic Wrap

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Loop the wrap around your finger several times so the bottom edge of the plastic wrap borders the stuck ring.^{[7]
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Lubricate the ring and the plastic wrap. Apply something like butter, dish soap, or another greasy substance over the surface of both the ring and the plastic wrap.^{[8]
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- Ideally, you should be able to twist your ring around at this point.
Carefully twist your ring, using the lubricated wrap to help guide it down the length of your finger. With a little patience and elbow grease, you should be able to remove the stuck ring with plastic wrap.^{[9]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Twisting

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Do your best to twist the ring, using the motion to guide the jewelry down your finger. As you twist, try to maneuver any pockets of skin above your ring (near your knuckle) so they’re below the ring instead—this may help give the ring some leverage as you remove it.

Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

After You Get the Ring Off

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Don't put the ring back on until it has been re-sized or the swelling has gone down.

Community Q&A

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Question

How tight should a ring be?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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A ring should always feel comfortable on your finger and the best fit is where the ring slides on with ease but resists slipping back off. If your skin bulges around the ring, then the ring is too small. If it slides back and forth with ease, never settling in one place, the ring is too large. To obtain the right fit, there should be a tiny gap between your finger and the ring, with some minor resistance when pushing over the knuckle. As with shoes, the best time to have a ring fitted is at the end of the day, to account for natural swelling during the day.

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What is a ring cutter used for?

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A ring cutter is used to remove rings from fingers when the ring won’t come off because of swelling, crushing or other injury. It acts somewhat like a can opener, to quickly cut a part of the ring without harming the skin. Ring cutters vary depending on the type of metal they have to cut; some are made for softer metals such as gold and platinum, while others are made to handle tougher metals. If you need to have a ring removed with a ring cutter, it’s best to see your jeweler (if no other injury is present) or the local hospital, as they’ll have the right tool.

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Can a jeweler cut a ring off?

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Yes, a jeweler can definitely cut off a ring. A jeweler will have the appropriate tools for cutting the ring and will be able to remove the ring without harming your finger. As well, a jeweler can ensure that minimal damage is done to the ring, giving you the option of having the ring repaired afterward. If you can’t find a jeweler, then the local ER, your doctor or even the fire station may be able to assist. Important: If you have damaged skin, injury-induced swelling or cut skin at the site of the stuck ring, it would be best to see your doctor first, to discuss options for removal that avoid causing infection or further skin damage.

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Tips

If you must cut the ring off yourself, use a ring cutter—this is a device commonly found at a jewelry shop or emergency room.^{[10]
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Get your ring size measured if you haven't lately. It may change as you gain or lose weight or simply as you age. Any jeweler should have a set of sizing rings, or you can measure your ring size at home.

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Warnings

Some types of window cleaners may contain ammonia and can hurt certain types of metals and gems. Be sure to check!

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Your local jewelry store should also have a tool that allows them to cut the ring off. Once they remove it they can repair and re-size the ring for you, but only after letting your finger heal, usually 2 weeks. It's best if you go to a store that has a repair shop on the premises since they'll know what they're doing.

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Get immediate help if some other injury to the finger is causing it to swell. Don't pull at a ring if you think the finger might be broken.^{[11]
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If the finger is turning blue and you cannot remove the ring then visit the ER (A&E in the UK) or the nearest fire station immediately.^{[12]
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Cleveland Clinic
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