Guide to Cigar Sizes and Shapes: 2025

Cigars come in many — *many* — shapes and sizes. From the traditional to the common, to the downright peculiar, today we’re covering all cigar sizes and shapes in one handy guide. Plus, we’ll explain why these different shapes and sizes matter (i.e., how they affect the smoking experience). 

Cigar Sizes

Cigars are measured based on two factors: length and width. The industry measures cigar length in inches. Most cigars on the market range from four to seven inches in length. For reference, a traditional “Churchill” cigar is seven inches in length. 

What is the Cigar Ring Gauge? 

Cigar width, on the other hand, is measured in 64ths of an inch and referred to as a “ring gauge.” So, a cigar that measures exactly an inch in diameter across has a “64” ring gauge. At one point, ring gauges that were 60 or higher were rare, but now they’re fairly common. 

Let’s use an example to bring this to life. Macanudo Inspirado White Churchill clocks in at seven inches long, and it has a 48 ring gauge. As such, you might see those facts communicated like this: Macanudo Inspirado White Churchill (7” X 48). 

RELATED: CIGAR TYPES EXPLAINED

Cigar Types: Parejos vs Figurados

Cigar shapes are classified into one of two broad categories: parejos and figurados. 

What is a parejo cigar? A parejo is a cigar that is straight and cylindrical. Parejos can either appear rounded at the top (traditional) or have a rectangular appearance called a “box press.” 

What is a figurado cigar? A figurado, conversely, is any cigar that isn’t straight and cylindrical. Figurados often include at least one pointed end.

Cigar Terminology 101

• Head: the top of the cigar. This is the end you cut and smoke from. 

• Foot: the bottom of the cigar. This is the end you light up. 

• Wrapper: the exterior leaf that envelopes the entire cigar.

• Binder: a leaf that sits just beneath the wrapper. 

• Filler: tobaccos that comprise the middle parts of the cigar. 

Vitola (Frontmark): the size and shape of the cigar. Frontmark is a branded version of a vitola.

Does Cigar Size and Shape Affect the Smoking Experience?

Many cigars are available in multiple sizes. There are two reasons why. The first is easy enough to understand: large cigars take more time to smoke than smaller ones. If, for instance, you loved a Churchill version of a cigar — but don’t see yourself smoking such a large cigar on a regular basis — you may want to try out the Robusto version instead. 

Secondly, different shapes and sizes create different ratios between wrapper/binder/filler tobaccos, while also affecting burn patterns. Depending on the tobaccos used in the cigar, a different size and shape could represent an entirely different smoking experience. 

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