Aspect Ratio Simplified

What is Aspect Ratio (AR) all about?

Aspect Ratio is easy!  Keep repeating that over and over and over.... (really, it is!)

Aspect Ratio is very useful, especially for chainmakers.  Aspect Ratio (AR) is how the diameter of wire in millimeters relates to the internal diameter of the ring.  (Clear as mud, right?)

Don't want to fool with doing the calculations?  Use our EZ jumpring converter on "This Page"

AR = inside diameter divided by the wire diameter

Simple !  How do we use it?

If I am making a Byzantine chain and the AR is 3.5, then I know I can figure out what the internal diameter is for any wire gauge size I want to use.  This allows me the flexibility to change wire gauges and make heavier or more delicate chains..... so to make a Byzantine in various gauges...

• 3.5 = x/y  where x is the internal diameter of the ring and y is the diameter of the wire.... (looking like algebra, eh?) ..... OR...
• 3.5 = ID/wire diameter

Rearrange the equation

• AR times y = (x divided by y) times y (to cancel the y from the right side of the equation)
• AR times y = x   (substitute 3.5 which is the aspect ratio for the Byzantine)
• 3.5 times y = x    OR
• AR times wire diameter = ring inside diameter.

16 gauge = 1.3mm;  18 gauge = 1.0mm;  20 gauge = 0.8mm

• 16 gauge wire size      3.5 times 1.3mm = 4.55mm
• 18 gauge wire size     3.5 times 1.0mm = 3.50mm
• 20 gauge wire size    3.5 times 0.8mm = 2.80mm

Now you have the internal diameters but what if the rings don't come in 2.8m ID?  Round up to the next ring size.  Especially for a tight weave like Byzantine, if you round down, your weave may be too tight, but in this case, 2.75 works perfectly!  Having said that, 4.55mm ID for 16 ga wire is close enough to 4.5mm that it will work splendidly for the Byzantine weave.