This Is the Average Engagement Ring Carat Size Right Now

While you might not know exactly how much your engagement ring costs, you're probably well aware of its carat size. And if you're curious about how yours compares to the average engagement ring size in the United States, we have the answer. The Knot 2021 Jewelry and Engagement Study surveyed over 5,000 recently engaged or married couples across the country to identify the top proposal trends—and the results might surprise you.

When it comes to diamond details, carat size is one of the 4 C's that classifies a stone (along with cut, color and clarity). The gem's carat is the unit that measures its weight, which can influence how big it appears. According to our study, the average engagement ring size is 1.5 carats. Roughly half of all engagement rings fall between 1 and 2 carats, with just 25% of rings sizing above two carats.

However, our findings show that the average engagement ring size isn't the most important factor to the couple—it's actually the cut and shape of the stone. Round-cut diamonds continue to be the most popular shape, with 41% of all rings falling into this category. White gold continues to be the most popular metal setting at 45%, while yellow gold comes in as the second most popular at 20%.

Personalized details continue to grow in significance to couples with 52% of all proposers adding custom details to an existing ring design. Thirty-four percent of those surveyed created a completely-unique jewel from scratch.

The average spend is up from the national average in 2020. Now, the average cost of an engagement ring is $6,000. Of course, this price tag varies according to region (the average spend in the Mid-Atlantic region is $7,900, while the Midwest averages $5,200), but some couples opt for diamond alternatives that help lower costs. Ten percent of all engagement rings are categorized as precious stones, with options like moissanite, sapphire, morganite and opal ranking as the top four in this category.

With so many options to choose from, finding the perfect engagement ring might seem like a daunting task. But nearly all respondents said they love their ring, even if it wasn't exactly what they would have picked. (Perhaps because 75% of proposees admitted to being involved in some capacity during the selection process.)

The moral of the story is an engagement ring is a pricey (and important) purchase, no matter the national average engagement ring size, cost and more. Before you and your partner get engaged, make sure you approach the process with what works best for you. This includes setting a budget, ensuring you're well-versed in gem jargon, and exploring a variety of options before making any decision.