Which band fits my watch?
Apple Watch
Apple bands come in two size groups, and any band fits any watch in the same group (Series 3 and later):
| Group | Watch sizes | Which watches |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 38, 40, 41 and 42 mm | 38 mm (early models), 40 mm (SE, Series 4 to 6), 41 mm (Series 7 to 9), 42 mm (Series 10 and later) |
| Large | 42, 44, 45, 46 and 49 mm | 42 mm (Series 3 and earlier), 44 mm (SE, Series 4 to 6), 45 mm (Series 7 to 9), 46 mm (Series 10 and later), 49 mm (Ultra) |
The catch is 42 mm: on older watches it's the large size, on Series 10 and later it's the small one. The size is engraved on the back of the case, next to the sensor, so check before you buy.
Samsung Galaxy Watch
Most Galaxy Watch models from the Watch4 on use standard 20 mm quick-release bands. That includes the Watch5, Watch6, Watch7, the FE and the Classic models, so there's a huge range to choose from. Some of the newest models and the Ultra use their own connection, so tell us your model and we'll find one that fits.
Wrist size
Most bands come in two lengths (often S/M and M/L). Measure your wrist with a strip of paper, or bring the watch in and try a few on.
Which band suits how I live?
Brisbane summers are hot, humid and sweaty, and that's hard on some bands.
| Band | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Sport band (silicone or fluoroelastomer) | Exercise, the beach, the pool, gardening, sweaty summers | Can trap sweat under it; rinse it often |
| Sport loop (woven nylon, hook-and-loop) | Comfort, easy one-handed adjusting, sleeping in | Holds water and sweat, so dries slowly |
| Metal mesh (like a Milanese loop, with a magnetic clasp) | Breathes well in the heat, very easy to put on | The magnet can stick to things |
| Stretch loop (no clasp) | Slipping on and off with no buckle | Needs the exact size to sit snugly |
| Leather | The office, dinners, a dressier look | Not for swimming, sweat or rain: water marks and smells |
| Link bracelet (metal) | A classic look | Needs links removed to fit |
Many people keep two: a sport band for the gym, the beach or the garden, and something dressier for going out. Swapping takes seconds.
Easier bands for older hands
If fiddly buckles are a struggle, or arthritis makes pins hard, try:
- a magnetic mesh band: just wrap and let the magnet hold it;
- a hook-and-loop sport loop: pull and press;
- a stretch loop in the right size: no clasp at all.
Why does the fit matter for heart rate and fall detection?
A smartwatch reads your heart rate through the sensor on its back, so it needs to sit snug but comfortable: not loose enough to slide around, not tight enough to leave marks.
That matters most for fall detection. On an Apple Watch (SE, and Series 4 and later), fall detection turns on automatically if the owner's age is set to 55 or over. If it senses a hard fall and you don't respond for about a minute, it taps your wrist, sounds an alarm and then tries to call emergency services. Galaxy Watch has a fall detection setting too. Apple says no watch can detect every fall, but a watch that fits properly and is actually worn is the one that can help. A band that's comfortable enough to wear all day, every day, is part of the safety plan.
How do I keep a band (and my skin) happy?
- Rinse sport bands with fresh water after sweat, sunscreen, the pool or the beach, and dry them and your wrist.
- Loosen it after exercise, and give your skin a break overnight now and then.
- Clean under the watch: sweat and sunscreen build up between the sensor and your skin.
- If your skin gets red or itchy, loosen the band, clean it and the watch, and let your skin rest. If it keeps happening, try a different material.
When is it time for a new band?
- cracks or splits in a sport band, especially near the pins;
- stretched or torn holes;
- a clasp or pin that doesn't lock firmly (that's how watches end up on the footpath);
- a smell that won't wash out;
- or just because you'd like a new look.
A new band also makes an easy present: here's our Christmas gift guide, sorted by who it's for.
Changing a band
- Apple Watch: turn it over, hold the small band release button next to the band, and slide the band out sideways. Slide the new one in until it clicks. (Or bring it in and we'll swap it for you.)
- Galaxy Watch (20 mm): slide the tiny quick-release lever on the pin, lift the band away, then line up the new one's pin and let it snap in. Give it a tug to check it's locked.
Sources
- Apple Support: Manage fall detection on Apple Watch
- Nike: Apple Watch band size and fit guide
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