A cigar's name often tells you its size before it tells you anything about taste. Learn how ring gauge and length work, and how to read the common vitola names, and the cigar counter gets much easier to read.
Every cigar can be described by two numbers. Length is measured in inches. Ring gauge is the diameter, measured in sixty-fourths of an inch. A ring gauge of 64 would be one full inch across, and a ring gauge of 32 would be half an inch. So when you see a cigar listed as 5 x 50, it is five inches long and fifty sixty-fourths of an inch thick.
Those two numbers shape your experience more than people expect. A thicker cigar generally holds more tobacco and tends to burn more slowly. A longer cigar gives you more time. A thin cigar puts more of its wrapper in contact with the flame. None of this decides quality, but it does decide the feel of the smoke.
Ring gauge is easiest to picture with a coin. Many people find that a ring gauge in the high 40s or low 50s feels full and comfortable in the hand, while the high 30s feels slim and elegant. Your own preference is the only one that counts, and it is worth trying a few to learn where your sweet spot lives.
Vitola is the term for a cigar's size and shape combined, and the names go back a long way. Many names have become shorthand across the industry, such as robusto, toro and churchill. The catch is that makers do not always agree on the exact measurements, so a robusto from one brand can differ a little from a robusto from another. Treat the names as rough categories and the numbers as the truth.
Shape matters as well as size. Most cigars are straight-sided, called parejo. Others are figurados, a catch-all for shaped cigars such as torpedoes with a pointed head.
The table lists typical ranges for popular sizes. Sources give slightly different figures, so use these as ballparks.
| Vitola | Typical length | Typical ring gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Petit Corona | About 4.75 to 5 in | About 39 to 42 |
| Corona | About 5 to 5.5 in | About 42 to 44 |
| Robusto | About 4.5 to 5.5 in | About 48 to 52 |
| Toro | About 6 in | About 50 to 54 |
| Churchill | About 7 in | About 47 to 50 |
| Torpedo | About 6.5 to 7.5 in | About 50 to 54, with a pointed head |
| Lonsdale | About 6 to 6.5 in | About 42 to 44 |
| Lancero | About 7 to 7.5 in | About 36 to 38 |
A robusto is short and fairly thick, a common choice for a satisfying smoke without a huge time commitment. A toro runs longer and often a touch thicker, and it has become one of the most popular formats. The churchill is long and a bit thinner than a toro, named after Sir Winston Churchill. The corona is a classic, traditional size, and the petit corona is its shorter cousin.
Torpedos come to a point at the head, which some smokers like for the way the shape concentrates flavor. They may need a slightly different approach to cutting, covered in our guide on how to cut a cigar. Lanceros are long and slender and can feel concentrated and quick to change in flavor.
You may also hear names like gordo for a very thick cigar, or corona gorda for a thicker version of the corona. Different makers apply these names loosely, which is why it is smart to read the numbers listed on the box. When in doubt, ask for the exact length and ring gauge and compare it to a cigar you have already enjoyed.
If you compare two sizing charts, you will notice that they do not always match. Part of the reason is that the names grew up in different countries and different eras, and part is that makers aim for their own proportions. Even within one name, there is a range, and no single authority enforces one set of figures across every brand.
For shoppers, that means two things. First, trust the printed length and ring gauge over the vitola name. Second, treat a chart like the one above as a map of typical territory and not as a guarantee. When you find a size you love, write down its exact numbers and look for them on future purchases.
Smaller ring gauges tend to deliver a more wrapper-forward flavor, because the wrapper makes up a bigger share of what you taste. Larger ring gauges give the blend more room and often a cooler, slower, more layered smoke. That is a tendency and not a rule, since blend and construction matter just as much.
Time is the other factor. A short cigar is a good fit for a break between tasks, and a long one suits an unhurried evening. Rather than rely on minutes, which vary with how often you draw, plan around the occasion and let the cigar set the pace. Slow draws also keep it cooler, as covered in our guide to lighting a cigar.
If you are new, a robusto or a toro is a safe place to start, since both are widely available and give you a full experience. If you want to try something shorter, a petit corona is a gentle step in. Once you know what you like, experiment with the long and thin or the thick and short.
A sampler is a good way to compare sizes side by side, and we are planning samplers and gift boxes with that in mind. When our house line launches, every cigar will list both length and ring gauge, so you can compare it with anything you have smoked before.
Ring gauge is the diameter of a cigar in sixty-fourths of an inch. A ring gauge of 50 is fifty sixty-fourths of an inch across.
A robusto is generally shorter, often around five inches, while a toro is typically around six inches and often slightly thicker. Makers vary, so check the numbers.
No. Size and strength are separate things. Strength depends mostly on the blend.
A figurado is a shaped cigar, such as a torpedo with a pointed head, as opposed to a straight-sided one.
Be first to hear about launch releases, gift boxes and club openings. Adults 21 and older only.