Oct 8, 2026Baby Carrier Tips

What Ring Sling Size Do You Need? A Guide to hope&plum’s Size Inclusive Slings

A plus-size white woman looks off into the distance while standing in a field and wearing a sleeping infant on her front in a hope&plum Oak ring sling

The biggest factors to consider when choosing ring sling size are your fitted t-shirt size and your preference for how much "tail" (excess fabric) you want hanging down! hope&plum has something other brands don't – three ring sling lengths that cater to your body. Because let's face it, one size never fits everyone:

74" (1.9m)
84" (2.1m)
94" (2.4m)

All three lengths are fully adjustable, allowing for a custom fit with each wear. Plus, several caregivers with different body types and sizes can use the same ring sling without any issues! Read our ring sling sizing guide below to learn the answers to our most frequently asked questions about ring sling lengths.

Compare Our Ring Sling Sizes

Compare the Sizes Which ring sling length is right for you? All three ring sling sizes are fully adjustable for a custom fit. Tap a length to see who it's best for and what to expect from your tail.

Short: 74" (1.9m) Petite · Minimal tail

Best for shirt size Fitted t-shirt size XL or below, especially if you're on the shorter side.

Tail behavior Expect a shorter tail once your baby's pocket is tightened. You'll clear the 10 inch safety minimum, but won't have length to spare.

Beyond the basics Wrapping the rings is easy. Fancier finishes like flower poofs or hammocked knee support have less room to work with.

Growing with baby Works from newborn through toddlerhood as long as you keep at least 10 inches of tail as baby grows.

Pick this if You wear a fitted t-shirt XL or below and prefer a tidy, out-of-the-way tail over extra fabric to style.

Shop Ring Slings

Medium: 84" (2.1m) Most popular · Middle ground

Best for shirt size Fitted t-shirt size 3X or below. A great starting point for most new ring sling users.

Tail behavior Comfortable moderate tail for most wearers. Enough to notice and style, without dragging.

Beyond the basics Room for flower poofs, cross passes, and hammocked knee support without excess fabric to manage.

Growing with baby Comfortable through toddlerhood for most wearers, with tail to spare as baby grows.

Pick this if You wear a fitted t-shirt 3X or below and want the flexibility to try fancier finishes without excess fabric to manage.

Shop Ring Slings

Long: 94" (2.4m) Size inclusive · Room to learn

Best for shirt size Fitted t-shirt size 4X and above, or anyone who loves a longer tail regardless of shirt size.

Tail behavior Expect a generous tail that shows off the fabric. If it starts dragging, wrap the rings or secure the extra length.

Beyond the basics Plenty of length for every fancy finish in our tail styling guide, plus room to play.

Growing with baby Comfortable through toddlerhood and beyond, with tail length that never gets tight as baby grows.

Pick this if You wear a fitted t-shirt 4X or above, love a dramatic tail, or want extra room while you learn.

Shop Ring Slings

A straight size BIPOC woman smiles at the camera while wearing a sleeping infant on her front in a hope&plum ring sling

Ring Sling Size Basics

How do I know which size is right for me?

Ring sling size comes down to two things: your fitted t-shirt size and how much tail you want. New to ring slings? Our 84” length is a good bet if your fitted t-shirt size is 3X or below. If you wear a 4X or above, our 94” length will give you more room to learn. If this isn’t your first ring sling rodeo, choose a size that will give you at least 10 inches of tail when you’re done tightening your baby’s pocket. Keep in mind that you can’t go wrong with a longer sling. Some users prefer a long tail for drama and to show off our beautiful fabric. You can always find ways to use the extra length.

How much tail should I have?

You need to have at least 10 inches of tail for safety in case the fabric moves through the rings. On the other hand, your tail shouldn’t be a tripping hazard. If it’s so long that it’s near your feet or even dragging on the ground, you’ll want to secure some extra length or size down. Other than that, the length of tail you have is up to you! Some people like having as short of a tail as possible, and some like when their tail can almost touch the ground.

How do you measure ring sling length?

Take a roll of soft measuring tape, start at the rings, and measure along the length of the long hem, keeping the soft tape flush with the hem the whole time. The number that matches up with the end of the sling is the length of that sling!

Will I need a bigger size as my baby grows?

Most people can use the same ring sling size from newborn through toddlerhood. The only exception would be if you are close to that 10 inches of tail needed for safety when your baby is small. You’ll want to make sure that as baby grows, your tail is always at least 10 inches. If you notice that you can’t get at least 10 inches anymore, we recommend sizing up to the next ring sling length.

What do I do with all the extra tail?

If your extra tail is a tripping hazard or you simply want a shorter tail, the easiest thing to do is wrap the rings. This will take up some tail length and also provide a little cushion for your baby, especially if their head is close to the rings.

Ring Sling Sizes for Different Body Types

I’m plus size. Which length will be best for me?

If you’re new to ring slings, our 84” length is a good bet if your fitted t-shirt size is 3X or below. If you wear a 4X or above, our 94” length will give you more room to learn.

I’m tall. Should I stick to the longest length?

You don’t have to! Ring sling length depends more on your fitted t-shirt size and your personal preferences. If you’re new to ring slings, our 84” length is a good bet if your fitted t-shirt size is 3X or below. If you wear a 4X or above, our 94” length will give you more room to learn.

I’m short. Should I only buy the short length?

You don’t have to! Ring sling length depends more on your fitted t-shirt size and your personal preferences. If you’re new to ring slings, short, and wear a fitted t-shirt size XL or below, our 74” length may be the best fit for you. If you wear size XL-3x, our 84” length is a good bet, and if you wear a 4X or above, our 94” length will give you more room to learn. If you’re not sure, a longer sling is a better bet since you can always wrap up the extra tail.

I’m a man. Do I need a long length?

Nope! Ring sling length depends more on your fitted t-shirt size and your personal preferences. If you’re new to ring slings, our 84” length is a good bet if your fitted t-shirt size is 3X or below. If you wear a 4X or above, our 94” length will give you more room to learn.

A close up on a long hope&plum ring sling tail trailing in front of a BIPOC babywearer

Ring Sling Length Beyond the Basics

What sorts of fancy finishes can I do with my tail?

Looking for something more functional or fancier than wrapping the tail around the rings? You can twist the tail and either put it behind baby’s head for some additional head support or you can hammock it under baby’s knees for some additional leg support. Just tuck the end into the pocket at your side or around your back wherever it feels comfortable and will stay. You could also spread the tail over your baby’s back, going under one of baby’s legs, and then tucking the tail into the pocket at your side or around your back. This creates a cross pass and helps to make the sling less poppable. For the fanciest ring slingers among us, you can twist the tail and then wrap it around itself on top of the rings. Then pull the end through, creating a cute, flower poof. Check out this YouTube video for some tutorials and ideas.

Should I buy a long length so I can do a ruck?

We don’t recommend using a ring sling to do any sort of back carries. We find our Larks and meh dais more comfortable and supportive for back carries once baby is sitting unassisted.

Should I buy a long length to tandem carry?

We don't recommend putting two babies in any of our carriers, including the ring sling. It's always safest to use one carrier for each child. You could use a ring sling in a front carry and Lark or meh dai on your back. Check out this blog post for more tandem babywearing safety info and suggestions.

A plus-size white woman looks down towards her infant worn on her front in a hope&plum ring sling

Find Your Fit A Ring Sling Sized for Every Body Three lengths, one goal: a ring sling that fits you the way it should. Once you've found the length that's right for your body, our step-by-step guide walks you through your first wear.

Shop Ring Slings Learn to Use a Ring Sling

Meet the Author

Jenn Tolisano

Jenn Tolisano is hope&plum's Director of Community Education & Content. She has been a babywearing educator for over ten years. Working as a high school teacher before entering the world of motherhood, she has brought her passion for education to all things baby carriers. Babywearing has been such an essential parenting tool in her household that she wants to spread the babywearing love to all families. Jenn believes that every caregiver deserves to have a baby carrier they love and feel comfortable and confident in. She hopes that her fit checks and blog-writing with hope&plum help to achieve that goal!

Share

Carry on reading

A straight size BIPOC woman wears her toddler on her front in a hope&plum Blush Kid Lark

Expert Advice

A Pediatrician’s Take on the Evidence Based Benefits of Babywearing

Learn from pediatrician Dr. Brittany Mitchell about the evidence based benefits of babywearing for babies and caregivers and about what needs more research.

What Ring Sling Size Do You Need? A Guide to hope&plum’s Size Inclusive Slings

Table of Contents

Compare Our Ring Sling Sizes

Ring Sling Size Basics