Apple Watch bands

Find your case size

Your Apple Watch case size is engraved on the back of the watch, next to the sensor, as a number like 41MM or 45MM. You can also open the Watch app on your iPhone and go to My Watch, General, About. The number is the height of the case in millimeters, and it is the one thing a new band has to match. Bands for Apple Watch don't use lug widths like a classic watch: they slide into two slots in the case, and the slot size follows the case size.

Small and large bands

Apple Watch cases come in two band groups. Small cases are 38, 40 and 41 mm, plus the 42 mm case on Series 10 and later. Large cases are 44, 45 and 46 mm, every 49 mm Ultra, and the 42 mm case on the original Series 1 to 3. A band made for one size in a group fits the other sizes in that group, so a band for a 41 mm case also fits a 40 mm watch. The chart above lists every model. Watch out for 42 mm: on Series 10 and later it is the small case, on Series 1 to 3 it is the large one. Each band here lists its sizes the way the maker cut them, and where a 42 mm or 46 mm option is tied to a series, the option says which.

Steel, mesh, leather or nylon

Stainless steel link bands are the dressiest choice and the longest lasting. They don't mind sweat or rain, take a polish, and suit a suit as easily as a T-shirt. Slim link bands keep the same look with less weight, which suits smaller wrists and the small cases. Milanese mesh is a woven steel loop with a magnetic clasp that slides to any length, so it fits every wrist without tools and stays comfortable in warm weather. Leather bands are softer and lighter still, and they wear in over the first few weeks. Keep leather away from long soaks and let it dry naturally if it gets wet. A woven nylon loop is the lightest of all: it fastens with a hook-and-loop tab, dries quickly and shrugs off sweat, so it suits training, hiking and long days outdoors. For swimming, a sport band in silicone is the better pick: see silicone and rubber watch bands.

Swapping a band

Turn the watch over and lay it on a soft cloth. Press the small band release button between the two slots, keep it pressed, and slide the old band out sideways. Slide the new band in from the side until you feel a click; if it slides straight through, it isn't locked yet. Give each end a gentle tug before you wear it. The whole swap takes less than a minute, and no tools are needed.

Sizing a link band

Link bands come long enough for a large wrist and get shortened by taking out links. Look for the small arrows on the inside of the band: they show which links come out and which way to push the pin. Most link bands come with a small pin tool, and each product page says what is in the box. Take the same number of links from each side of the clasp so the watch stays centered on your wrist. If you measure your wrist first, with a soft tape or a strip of paper laid flat against a ruler, you will know how many to remove before you start. Our fit guide shows how to measure.

Delivery and returns

Delivery is $6.95, or free on orders over $49. US delivery takes 7 to 14 days. You can return an unworn band in its original packaging within 30 days of delivery. Return shipping is paid by you, unless the item arrived faulty or incorrect. See delivery and returns for the steps.