The length of a cigar is measured in inches and the diameter in ring gauge. The diameter in inches of a cigar equals its ring gauge divided by 64.
Example: a 50*5" cigar is 5 inches long and has a diameter of 50/64 in.
Large ring gauge cigars contain more tobacco and possibly a larger combination of different types of leaves than small ring gauge cigars, so they will have a more complex flavor and produce more smoke in comparison. The most popular sizes are: Panatela, Corona, Lonsdale, Robusto, Churchill and Double Corona. The exact sizes will vary from brand to brand but you will find below a chart of the traditional Cuban shapes.
According to their shape, cigars can be classified in two basic categories: Parejos, cigars with straight sides, rounded heads and open foots; and Figurados, cigars with irregular sides or cigars that are very difficult to make. Some of the most popular Figurado shapes are: Belicoso, Pyramids, Torpedo, Perfecto and Diademas.
Traditional Cuban Cigar Shapes Defined:
- Churchill: This large corona is traditionally 7 inches by 48 ring. Length can vary from 6 3/4 to 7 7/8 in length by 46 to 50 ring.
- Cigarillos: The classic cigarillo is 4 inch by 26 ring but can be anywhere under 6 inches and 29 ring.
- Corona: The corona size is typically 5.5 inches with a ring gauge of 40 to 44.
- Corona Extra: A Corona Extra (traditionally a 5 1/2 inch by 46 ring gauge) can range from 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 inches by a 45 to 47 ring gauge.
- Double Corona: Double Coronas are usually 6.75 to 8 inches long by a 49 to 54 ring.
- Giant: The Giant was typically a 9 inch by 52 cigar. Today, it is every cigar 8 inches and up with a ring gauge of 50 and up.
- Giant Corona: A Giant Corona typically is 7.5 inches and up by 42 to 45 ring.
- Grand Corona: The classic Grand Corona size is 6 1/2 inches by 46.
- Long Corona: The classic Long Corona is 6 inch by 42 ring but can go from 5 7/8 to 6 3/8 inches by 40 to 44 ring.
- Long Panatela: The classic Long Panatela is 7 1/2 inch by 38 ring but can go from 7 and up inches by 35 to 39 ring.
- Lonsdale: The standard Lonsdale is 6.5 inches long by a 40 to 44 ring.
- Panatela: This once very popular thin format can go from 5 1/2 to 6 7/8 inches long by 35 to 39 ring gauge.
- Perfecto: The Perfecto shape has two tapered, closed ends with a rounded head, a closed foot, and a bulge in the middle. They can vary in length and ring gauge.
- Petit Corona:The classic size of this short corona is 5 inches by a 40 to 44 ring gauge, but it can be as short as 4 inches.
- Pyramid: The Pyramid differs from the Torpedo in that it flares continuously from the head to the foot in a triangle shape.
- Robusto: The Robusto is a short Churchill size, traditionally 5 to 5.5 inches by a 50 ring gauge.
- Short Panatela: The standard Short Panatela is 5 inch by 38 ring but can go from 4 to 5 3/8 inches by 35 to 39 ring.
- Slim Panatela: Traditionally, the slim panatela is 6 inch by 34 ring but can go from 5 to more inches by 30 to 44 ring.
- Small Panatela: Traditionally, the small panatela is 5 inch by 33 ring but can go from 4 to 5 inches by 30 to 34 ring.
- Toro: The standard Toro shape is 6 inches by 50 ring.
- Torpedo: The Torpedo was traditionally a fat cigar with two closed, tapered ends. Today, it is any cigar with a cut foot and straight body which tapers to a closed, pointed head.