Press-On Nail Size Guide
Every Ubeauty set contains 24 nails in 12 sizes, XS through L, so you do not pick a size at checkout. Measure the widest point of your nail bed once, match the number to the chart below, and choose the nail in the box that comes closest. Measuring takes about three minutes. Getting it right is the difference between a set that stays put and one that lifts at the corner two days later.
The Ubeauty size chart
All measurements are in millimetres, taken across the widest point of the nail bed. Measure the nail, not the finger, and not the free edge that hangs past your fingertip.
| Size | Thumb | Index | Middle | Ring | Pinky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 14 mm | 10 mm | 11 mm | 10 mm | 8 mm |
| S | 15 mm | 11 mm | 12 mm | 11 mm | 9 mm |
| M | 16 mm | 12 mm | 13 mm | 12 mm | 10 mm |
| L | 17 mm | 13 mm | 14 mm | 13 mm | 11 mm |
The four brackets describe hand shape, not a product you choose:
- XS — very small hands, petite frames, very narrow nail beds.
- S — standard size, average hands. Most first sets land here.
- M — fuller hands, slightly larger hands, wide and flat nail beds.
- L — plump hands, extra-large nail beds. Fits a select few.
How to measure your nail bed
Pick whichever of these you have to hand. All three give the same number if you measure the same spot.
Method 1: soft tape measure
Wrap the tape around the nail and keep it snug against the surface. Read the widest point of the curve, not the point where the tape meets itself. If you start at a whole number on the left and seven small marks remain, your size is 17 mm.
Method 2: paper strip
No tape measure? Wrap a strip of paper around the nail, mark where it overlaps with a pen, then lay the strip flat and measure from the end to the mark against a ruler.
Method 3: phone ruler app
A ruler app works if you lay the nail flat against the screen and line up both edges. Keep the phone still. Hand shake is the reason people get a number that is 1 mm off.
Measure all ten nails and write the numbers down. Thumbs and pinkies rarely land in the same bracket, and most people are not perfectly symmetrical between left and right hands.
Two mistakes that ruin the fit
Measuring in the wrong spot. A nail bed narrows near the cuticle and again near the free edge. Measure the middle. A tape placed too high reads smaller than the real width, and a nail that is too small will press on the sidewalls and feel tight.
Not keeping the tape flat. If the tape lifts away from the nail surface, you are measuring the straight line between two points instead of the curve, and the number comes out short. Press the tape down along its whole length before you read it.
If your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger one and file the sides down. A nail that is slightly too big can be taken down to fit; a slightly small one leaves bare nail along the sidewall, and there is nothing to take down.
How to apply with jelly gel tabs
- Buff the nail surface with the file. You are removing shine, not thinning the nail.
- Wipe the nail with the alcohol pad and let it dry completely.
- Choose a jelly tab that matches the nail width.
- Press the gel tab smooth with the wooden stick so no air pockets remain.
- Peel off the backing film and press the tab onto your natural nail tip.
- Press the press-on down for 30 seconds until it feels firm.
The tabs are reusable and gentle on your natural nails, which makes them the better choice if you change sets often or are trying press-ons for the first time.
How to apply with nail glue
- Buff the nail surface with the file.
- Clean the nail with an alcohol pad.
- Snip the tip off the nail glue with scissors.
- Apply glue near the cuticle. One thin line is enough — too much glue seeps out at the sides and takes longer to set.
- Press from cuticle to tip for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Keep pressing until the nail is firmly set before you move on to the next finger.
Glue gives a snugger fit and holds for one to two weeks. It is not reusable, and removal needs a debonder rather than water.
Jelly tabs or glue?
| Jelly gel tabs | Nail glue | |
|---|---|---|
| Hold | Shorter wear, removable any time | One to two weeks |
| Reusable | Yes | No |
| Removal | Warm water and an orange stick | Debonder |
| Best for | Changing sets often, first-timers | Weddings, holidays, long trips |
How to remove jelly gel tabs
- Soak your hands in warm water for three to five minutes to soften the adhesive.
- Gently pry with an orange stick until the press-on lifts away. Do not pull.
- Use the tip of the stick to scrape off leftover adhesive.
- Put the cleaned nails back in the box in order, so the next set is ready to go.
How to remove liquid glue
- Have your debonder and orange stick ready before you start.
- Apply debonder to the inside edge of the nail.
- Wait a moment, then gently lift from the edge.
- Add more debonder along the lifted edge.
- Repeat, lifting a little at a time and adding debonder as you go.
- Peel the nail off slowly. Never force it.
Forcing a glued nail off takes a layer of your natural nail with it. If the nail does not move, add debonder and wait. Rushing this step is the single most common reason people say press-ons damaged their nails.
Questions we get about sizing
Do I need to choose a size when I order?
No. Every set ships with 24 nails in 12 sizes covering XS through L, so the widths for an average hand are already in the box. The chart groups those sizes into four brackets so you can see roughly where your hands sit — you still pick each nail by its individual width.
What if my nails measure between two sizes?
Size up, then file the sides. A nail that is slightly too big can be taken down to fit; a slightly small one cannot be made wider, and it leaves a gap along the sidewall.
How do I know which nail goes on which finger?
Lay all ten press-ons out in a row and match them by width, not by position in the box. Put the widest on your thumb and work down.
Can I reuse the nails?
Yes with jelly tabs, as long as you clean the adhesive off before storing them. Nails applied with glue usually cannot be reused, because the glue sets hard and removal bends the nail.
Will press-ons damage my natural nails?
Not if you remove them properly. Damage comes from prying a glued nail off without debonder, or from buffing the nail plate too hard before application. Both are avoidable.
How long does it take to put a set on?
About as long as painting your nails, minus the drying time. Most people get faster after the second set, once the sizing is written down.
Ready to pick a set? Browse all press-on nails, or add the application kit with glue, jelly tabs, file and prep pad so you have spares for the next round.