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Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers.
More This site contains affiliate links from which we may earn a commission.Know your smoke!
One of the pleasures of enjoying a cigar from time to time is the wide variety of options available to you. Different tobaccos, different flavors, and of course, many different shapes and sizes.
As a matter of fact, if you are just getting into cigars, the sheer amount of information can be extremely overwhelming.
That’s why we created this guide. Let’s get right to it.
The Two Primary Cigar Measurements
- Length
- Ring Gauge, or diameter
In the United States we measure a cigar’s length in inches. However, in other countries, you may find lengths listed in centimeters. A cigar’s ring gauge is measure in 64ths of an inch.
What does the size and shape of a cigar affect?
A cigar’s length and ring gauge affects the amount of time it will take to smoke. However, we think it’s important to lay out the caveat that there are other factors involved in smoking time – not just length and ring gauge.
Among the other factors affecting the length of time a cigar will take to smoke include how it is rolled and the tobacco itself. The tighter the roll, the longer it’s going to take to smoke. So when choosing a cigar, note not just the length and ring gauge, but also how tightly (or loosely) the stick is rolled.
Is every possible cigar size included here?
No. These days there are umpteen variations on cigar sizes and often certain cigar brands will come up with proprietary names for them. Trying to round all of those up and stay current would be almost impossible and a huge headache. Instead, we’ve chosen the 13 most common and traditional sizes to highlight.
Notably absent from our list are the Cigarillo, a short, often very thin cigar as well as the Culebra, an exotic and novel size that is actually three cigars (usually Panatelas) twisted together.
How are cigars grouped in this list?
We’ve grouped the cigars by the two shapes: parejo and figurado. A parejo is a cigar that has straight sides and a rounded cap (cigars 1-9 here). And a figurado can refer to any kind of cigar with a non-standard shape (cigars 10-13).
Parejo Cigars
Petit Corona
- Length: 4¾-5 inches
- Ring Gauge: 39-42
- Smoke Time: 30 minutes
The Petit Corona is a smaller version of the Corona.
Corona
- Length: 5-5½ inches
- Ring Gauge: 42-44
- Smoke Time: 45 minutes
The Corona is the cigar size standard-bearer. It’s the size that all other cigars are based on. It is said that the Corona is the size used by cigar blenders to test the blend of their tobaccos. It is also said that it will provide the “truest” flavor of the cigar.
Corona Gorda
- Length: 5½ inches
- Ring Gauge: 46
- Smoke Time: 60 minutes
The Corona Gorda, or “Fat” Corona, is a wider version of the Corona. You may also see it referred to as a Corona Extra.
Double Corona
- Length: 6½-7¾ inches
- Ring Gauge: 48-49
- Smoke Time: 90-120 minutes
The Double Corona (a.k.a. The Prominente) is basically the mack daddy of cigars. It’s a longer and wider version of the Corona, or simply a longer and slightly wider Corona Gorda.
Lonsdale
- Length: 6-6½ inches
- Ring Gauge: 42
- Smoke Time: 45 minutes
The Lonsdale (a.k.a. Cervante) is a size you don’t see that often. It’s a longer Corona and cuts an elegant profile.
Robusto
- Length: 5 inches
- Ring Gauge: 50-54
- Smoke Time: 45-60 minutes
I hope someone patented the Robusto size because it was introduced not too long ago and is hands down one of the most popular cigar sizes on the market.
Toro
- Length: 6 inches
- Ring Gauge: 50-54
- Smoke Time: 60-75 minutes
A Toro is also known as a “Double Robusto”. It’s not literally two Robustos put together, but simply a slightly longer and wider Robusto.
Churchill
- Length: 7 inches
- Ring Gauge: 47-54
- Smoke Time: 90 minutes
The Churchill (a.k.a. Julieta II) is a truly classic and elegant size, especially with a smaller ring gauge. A great smoke to enjoy as part of a celebration.
Lancero
- Length: 7-7½ inches
- Ring Gauge: 38-39
- Smoke Time: 60 minutes
We’ve already used the word “elegant” in a couple of our descriptions, but the Lancero is the most elegant of them all. They can be tough to find, but luckily they are becoming more popular amongst cigar aficionados these days.
Figurado Cigars
Torpedo
- Length: 6½-7½ inches
- Ring Gauge: 50-54
- Smoke Time: 60-75 minutes
A Torpedo is very much like a Toro, except for the pointed head.
Pirámides (Pyramid)
- Length: 7 inches
- Ring Gauge: 52-56
- Smoke Time: 75-90 minutes
Fatter than the Torpedo, the Pyramid is also distinguished by the way it continues to get wider from head to foot. This is also a difficult size to find.
Belicoso
- Length: 5½ inches
- Ring Gauge: 50
- Smoke Time: 45 minutes
A Belicoso is basically a short Torpedo.
Perfecto
- Length: variable
- Ring Gauge: variable
- Smoke Time: 45-60 minutes
The Perfecto is an interesting shape. It narrows at both the foot and head and does not possess any historical standards for length or ring gauge.
The HSS Cigar Size Chart
Our Favorite Cigar Accessories
Humidity Packs
Humidity packs are designed to preserve the natural flavor of your cigars, and Boveda’s are our favorites. Depending on the humidity levels in your storage container, Boveda either absorbs excess moisture or releases moisture vapor, keeping your items protected.
Slim 7 Lighter
S.T.Dupont have created the world’s slimmest luxury lighter at only 7mm thick. Coated in lacquer and finished with chrome accents, this lighter features a wind-resistant torch flame. It’s practical for everyday use and a great gift idea.
Travel Humidor
Xikar’s airtight, watertight and crushproof cases are perfect for every travel and cigar lover. With sizes for 5, 10 or 15 cigars, these cases have you covered.
Cigar Cutter
The Xikar Xi2 double guillotine cigar cutter has an elegant, effective design – we particularly like the carbon steel finish version. All Xikar cutters can cut a 54 ring gauge cigar in half, and depending on how much cap you cut, can cut up to 60 ring gauge cigars.
Glass-Top Humidor
This glass-top, Spanish cedar lined humidor from Mantello stores up to 50 cigars, while maintaining optimal humidity levels. We particularly like the classic look of the analog hygrometer that ensures you can keep your cigars at the best humidity level for them.
Thanks for reading.
Brian Sacawa
Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers. Since 2013, his goal has remained the same: to provide men the advice and inspiration they need to dress well, develop their personal style, and gain more confidence. Brian’s interest and passion for men’s style and luxury watches has led to his writing for The Robb Report, The Rake, and Sotheby’s and he has been quoted on menswear in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Today.com, Brides Magazine, and the Huffington Post. He lives in the woods north of Baltimore with his wife, Robin, kitties Nick and Nora, and German Shepherd/Collie mix Charlie.
Photography by Rob McIver
