How to Recognize the Size and Shape of a Cigar

Know the Basics About Cigar Shape and Size

• 1

  Know how to find your way around a cigar. The head or 'cap' is the part you cut and smoke, while the foot or 'tuck' is the part you light. The body, which holds the filler and binder leaves, is covered by the wrapper.

• 2

  Be aware that cigars are measured in terms of length and ring gauge, or diameter. Length is measured in inches and ring gauge is expressed in terms of 1/64 of an inch. The larger the ring gauge, the thicker the cigar. Gauges most commonly range from 32 to 52.

Know the Two Main Types of Cigars

• 3

  Acquaint yourself with the two main categories of cigars: parejos and figurados. Parejos are straight-sided cigars, meaning they are the same ring gauge from end to end. Corona, Panatela, Lonsdale and Churchill fall into this family.

• 4

  Know that figurados, or irregularly shaped cigars, are often crafted by master rollers. They may be tapered, have conical or rounded heads or may be closed at both ends. Figurados include Pyramid, Torpedo, Belisco, Culebra and Diademas, often boasting a ring gauge of 60 or more.

• 5

  Consult cigar guides for lists of common names, shapes and sizes. Learn to recognize cigars on sight by consulting photos on websites such as Cigar Aficionado.com (see Resources below).

Know the Basics About Cigar Length and Ring Gauge

• 6

  Recognize a short cigar as anything under 5½ inches and a long cigar as anything over 6½ inches.

• 7

  Describe a cigar less than 42 ring size as thin and a cigar of more than 47 ring size as thick. Cigars thinner than 42 are often called petit or slim, and cigars thicker than 47 are known as grande, gorda or double.