Good News! The Average Engagement Ring Size in the US Has Increased—See the Number

Sometimes, size does matter—particularly when it comes to your engagement ring. While you might not know exactly how much your sparkler costs, you may have an idea of its carat weight. And if you're really curious, you might wonder how yours compares to the average engagement ring size in the United States. Here's the good news: we have the answer. The Knot's 2024 Jewelry & Engagement Study surveyed over 7,000 recently engaged or married couples across the country to identify the top proposal trends, and one of the most compelling tidbits we found is that the average engagement ring carat size continues to increase. (This is, perhaps, my favorite era of engagement ring trends yet.)

However, our findings show that the average engagement ring size isn't the most important factor to the couple when making the purchase—it's actually the price, followed by the cut/shape of the stone. That said, the perception of a diamond's size impacts the overall appearance of the ring, so there's no denying that carat is still a key quality when selecting the perfect proposal piece.

In this article:

• What is the Average Engagement Ring Size?
• How to Find the Right Carat Size for Your Ring
• How to Increase Engagement Ring Carat Size for Less

What is the Average Engagement Ring Size?

According to The Knot 2024 Jewelry & Engagement Study, the average engagement ring size is 1.7 carats. That number, which is up slightly from 1.6 carats in 2023, is representative of the entire engagement ring, including center stones and accent stones. When measuring just the center stone, the average engagement ring size is 1.8 carats, up from 1.7 carats last year.

But what is a carat, anyway? While you might assume a ring's carat represents its physical size, the definition is a little more nuanced. Carat is one of the 4 C's that classifies a stone. "Carat refers to a diamond's weight, but weight doesn't always equal size," says Emily Langmade, Director of Design and Development at Frank Darling. "Various shapes also carry their weight differently, meaning some will appear significantly larger than others, even at the same carat weight."

Design: Tiana Crispino

Just like a stone's cut, color and clarity, a diamond's carat size has a direct impact on its overall cost. Even the slightest increase in carat (as minuscule as 1/10th of a carat) can impact the final price tag. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, carat weight results in different costs among different types of diamonds too.

Lab-Grown Diamonds

For the first time ever, lab-grown diamonds were the most popular center stones in 2024, making up 52% of all engagement rings. Typically less expensive than mined diamonds, we can attribute the rising average engagement ring size to the popularity of lab diamonds. According to our study, the average size of lab-grown center stones was 2 carats.

Natural Diamonds

Because mined diamonds are pulled from the earth, there are a finite number of them available on the planet, which contributes to their higher price tag. The average size of mined diamond engagement rings clocks in at 1.6 carats, which has remained consistent over the last three years.

The Halo Effect

While The Knot's study focused on the carat weight of center stones, for those fixated on total carat weight, many of the more popular styles of engagement rings can push those numbers even higher. Consider details like side stones, halos and the celebrity favorite toi et moi settings, which all involve the addition of accent stones and amplify a ring's main stone for a bigger, bolder look.

How to Find the Right Carat Size for Your Ring

It's the golden question: What's the best engagement ring size? Not to burst your bubble, but there really isn't one. "Everyone's idea of the 'perfect size' is different," says Langmade. While you can consider the average engagement ring carat size to help you choose the right diamond, it ultimately depends on your budget and your personal style. For starters, it can be helpful to make an appointment at a jeweler's showroom to try on rings with your partner and discuss options with an expert.

"Start by choosing a shape you love, then explore a range of carat weights—going up at least a quarter carat at a time to see what looks best on your hand," Langmade suggests. "For some, it's all about maximizing size. For others, it's finding the best balance of size, color, clarity, and of course, sparkle."

Buying the right diamond can feel daunting at first, which is why we recommend working with a trusted jeweler. They'll guide you through the process from start to finish by decoding the 4 Cs and pulling options that work best for your needs.

How to Increase Engagement Ring Carat Size for Less

Now that you know the average engagement ring size, we can dive into the fun stuff. The national average ring size is just that—an average. If you want the look of a bigger engagement ring, there are a few sneaky hacks that'll help you get more bang for your buck.

Try Before You Buy

The best way to get your dream engagement ring is to try a variety of styles before you buy. You might discover that different diamond shapes look better on your hand. What's more, certain shapes show their carat weight differently, allowing you to be super selective when finding the perfect gem.

"Rounds, ovals and marquises tend to face up larger for their carat weight, meaning they appear bigger when viewed from above," explains Langmade. "In contrast, emeralds, cushions and princesses carry more weight in the pavilion (the belly of the diamond), which makes them look smaller. Beyond shape, if you want to maximize size, you can look for a shallower cut. Shallow stones appear larger, carat for carat, than deeper ones—but be careful not to go too shallow, or you'll sacrifice sparkle."

Experiment With Accent Stones

More diamonds are never a bad thing, at least in this editor's opinion. Rather than investing in a center stone with a higher carat weight, you can also achieve the look of a larger engagement ring with side stones, a diamond-encrusted band, or a sparkly halo setting. While these are three vastly different design aesthetics, they can sometimes be more cost-efficient than simply buying a center stone with the highest carat weight possible.

Consider Lab Grown-Stones or Diamond Alternatives

Now thoroughly mainstream, lab-grown diamonds are a great way to save money or to procure a larger stone for less. Also on the rise is moissanite, a clear stone created in a lab using naturally occurring silicon carbide. This diamond alternative can offer even greater affordability than lab-grown diamonds. While not as hard as diamonds, moissanite comes awfully close at 9.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it a great choice for an engagement ring that's a little bit different than anyone else's.

Play With the 4 Cs

While you certainly don't need to become a master of diamond grading before you go engagement ring shopping, let us fill you in on a little secret: You can hack the 4 Cs to make the most of your investment. Depending on your priorities, investing more in one C can help you save a bit on the final price tag. (For example, going down a few tenths of a carat size won't necessarily be visible to the naked eye, but it will have an impact on the overall cost.) This illustrates the importance of shopping with a retailer you trust. Not only will they help you through every step, they'll empower you to buy the perfect engagement ring with confidence.