Which Apple Watch band size fits your Watch? (and how to swap it)
A new band is the quickest way to make your Apple Watch feel new again: sporty for running, steel for a night out. But when ordering, one thing often goes wrong: the size. Is your Watch 41 or 45 millimetres? Does a 44 band fit a 45? And what is the difference between S/M and M/L? We help with this at the counter every day, so I’ll lay it out for you.
I’m Job from ThePhoneLab. Grab your Watch, and in two minutes you’ll know which band to order.
In this blog, we discuss:
- What size is my Apple Watch?
- Which bands fit which Apple Watch?
- S/M or M/L: how to find your wrist size
- Swap an Apple Watch band in ten seconds
- Charging your Apple Watch: which charger works (and which doesn’t)
- Which band for which moment?
What size is my Apple Watch?
The size of your Apple Watch is the height of the case in millimetres, and it’s on the back of your Watch, in small letters near the sensor (for example 45MM). Hard to read? Check the original box, or look up the model number in the Watch app (General, About). The sizes Apple has made so far are 38, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46 and 49 millimetres.
Almost every model comes in a small and a large size; only the Ultra has one (49 mm). Which of the two you have determines which bands fit, and I explain that per group below. If you already know your size, go straight to the bands for your size.
Which bands fit which Apple Watch?
Bands are interchangeable within two groups: the small group (38, 40, 41 and the new 42 mm) and the large group (old 42, 44, 45, 46 and 49 mm). So a band for 44 mm also fits a Watch of 45 or 46 mm, and a band for 40 mm also fits a Watch of 38 or 41 mm. That’s because Apple keeps the attachment the same within each group.
This is how it works per group:
- Small group, bands for 38/40/41/42: Apple Watch Series 1 to 3 (38 mm), Series 4 to 6 and SE (40 mm), Series 7 to 9 (41 mm) and Series 10 and 11 (42 mm).
- Large group, bands for 44/45/46/49: Series 4 to 6 and SE (44 mm), Series 7 to 9 (45 mm), Series 10 and 11 (46 mm) and Apple Watch Ultra (49 mm). The old 42 mm of Series 1 to 3 also belongs in this group.
So watch out with 42 millimetres: the 42 mm of Series 10 and 11 belongs to the small group, the 42 mm of Series 1 to 3 to the large one. In our shop, you choose your size group for every band: 38/40/41/42 or 44/45/46/49. If you have an old 42 mm from Series 1 to 3, choose 44/45/46/49. On the wide case of the Ultra, a band from that group does look a little narrower. Not sure which model you have? The device finder in the shop will help.
Silicone sport band
Soft silicone that dries quickly, with a pin buckle. In S/M and M/L, for 38/40/41/42 and 44/45/46/49.
S/M or M/L: how to find your wrist size
With silicone sport bands, you choose a wrist size as well as the case size: S/M fits wrists from 130 to 180 mm, M/L from 160 to 210 mm. Measure around your wrist just above the wrist bone, where your watch sits, with a tape measure or with a piece of string that you then lay along a ruler. If you’re between 160 and 180 mm, choose M/L: a sport band with a pin buckle has several holes, so if it’s a little long, you adjust it.
With our stainless steel bands, you don’t need to choose a wrist size. The finely woven steel has a magnetic clasp that you slide to any wrist size in a second, without holes or pins.
Stainless steel band
Finely woven steel with a magnetic clasp that you slide to your wrist size in a second. In six colours, for 38/40/41/42 and 44/45/46/49.
Swap an Apple Watch band in ten seconds
You swap an Apple Watch band without tools, in ten seconds. On the back of the case there are two small buttons, one for each half of the band: top and bottom. Hold one of those buttons down, slide the band sideways out of the slot and slide the new one in until it clicks. Step by step:
- Place your Watch face down on a soft surface.
- Hold down the button next to the band and slide the band sideways out of the slot.
- Slide the new band into the slot until you feel a click. Check that it no longer moves sideways.
- Repeat this for the other half.
Our bands have the same standard attachment as Apple’s, so you can also swap between bands from different brands. Keep your old band: switching between sport and steel becomes a habit.
Charging your Apple Watch: which charger works (and which doesn’t)
To charge an Apple Watch, you need a specific charger: a regular wireless charger for your phone won’t work. From our shop, exactly two work: the USB-C to Apple Watch charging cable, with a magnetic charging disc that attaches to your Watch by itself, and the 3-in-1 MagSafe charger, which charges your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time and folds up for your bag.
USB-C to Apple Watch charging cable
Magnetic charging disc that attaches to your Watch by itself, 1 metre long. Charges just as fast as the original charger.
You connect the Watch cable to a USB-C adapter of, for example, 20 watts. The 3-in-1 comes with a USB-C cable in the box, but no adapter; pick one from our charging adapters. Zohra already wrote it in her tip in the shop: the Watch cable is there “for those who have lost their Watch cable or want a spare”. Put that spare in your weekend bag and you’ll never have to look for it again.
3-in-1 MagSafe charger
iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods at the same time, foldable for your bag. USB-C cable in the box, adapter sold separately.
Which band for which moment?
Choosing a band is mainly a matter of when you wear it. Silicone can handle sweat and water and dries quickly, so that’s the sport band. The stainless steel band is finely woven steel with a magnetic clasp, more jewellery than sports gear. In short:
- Sports, showering, sweating: the silicone sport band. Soft against your skin, dries quickly and has a sturdy pin buckle. In black, white, starlight and blue.
- Work, going out, every day: the stainless steel band. It looks like a watch strap, not like sports gear, and you slide the magnetic clasp to size in a second. In six colours, from silver to pink and black.
- Both: buy two and swap. Two bands and a charging cable count towards our 3 for 2: you pay for two of the three, the cheapest one is free, online and in our stores.
Browse all Apple Watch bands in the shop, or drop by one of our stores and try them on.
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Does a 44 mm band fit a 45 mm Apple Watch?
Yes. The sizes 44, 45, 46 and 49 mm belong to the same group and use the same attachment, just like the old 42 mm of Series 1 to 3. So a band for 44 mm also fits a Watch of 45 or 46 mm and the 49 mm Ultra. In our shop, that group is called 44/45/46/49.
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Does a 40 mm band fit the 42 mm Apple Watch Series 10?
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How do I measure my wrist for an Apple Watch band?
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Can I charge my Apple Watch with a regular wireless charger?
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Do bands from other brands fit my Apple Watch?
About ThePhoneLab
For more than ten years, ThePhoneLab has been repairing phones, tablets and laptops, every day, throughout the Netherlands. Every repair starts with an honest diagnosis, no cure no pay, and then you choose what suits you: original parts or a more affordable alternative from our own brand, for every budget. Because repairing is almost always smarter than replacing, for your wallet and for the planet. No wonder customers give us a 9.5, in tens of thousands of reviews.
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