Sizes · 3 min read

Cigar sizes and vitolas: from Petit Corona to Churchill

Cigario editorial · updated 1 October 2026

Robusto cigar resting on cured tobacco leaves

A cigar’s size, or vitola, is not just about how long you smoke. Length and thickness change how warm the smoke is, how much wrapper you taste and how the flavor develops. Once you understand two numbers, every cigar label starts to make sense.

Key takeaways

Size is written as length × ring gauge, for example 5 × 50.
Ring gauge is the diameter in 64ths of an inch: 50 ≈ 19.8 mm.
Thinner cigars taste more of the wrapper; thicker ones more of the filler.
Format names are traditions, not exact standards.
Pick the size for the time you have.

Two numbers to know

Length is usually given in inches (one inch is 25.4 mm). Ring gauge is the diameter, measured in 64ths of an inch. So a 64 ring would be exactly one inch thick, and a 50 ring is 50/64 of an inch, about 19.8 mm.

Ring gauge in 64ths of an inch

3815.1 mm

4216.7 mm

4618.3 mm

5019.8 mm

5421.4 mm

6023.8 mm

Drawn to scale. A 50 ring is 50/64 inch, about 19.8 mm across.

The common formats, side by side

Common formats, drawn to scale

Petit Corona4.5 in × 42 · 114 × 16.7 mm · 25–40 min Corona5.5 in × 42 · 140 × 16.7 mm · 35–55 min Robusto5 in × 50 · 127 × 19.8 mm · 35–55 min Toro6 in × 50 · 152 × 19.8 mm · 50–70 min Torpedo6 in × 54 · 152 × 21.4 mm · 50–70 min Churchill7 in × 47 · 178 × 18.7 mm · 75–110 min Lancero7.5 in × 38 · 191 × 15.1 mm · 60–90 min Gordo6 in × 60 · 152 × 23.8 mm · 60–85 min

Length × ring gauge. Exact sizes vary by maker.

These are typical sizes. A Robusto from one maker may be 4.875 × 50 and from another 5 × 52. Always check the exact dimensions on the cigar page in the Cigario catalog.

Format	Typical size	Smoking time	Good for
Petit Corona	4.5 × 42	25–40 min	A short break
Corona	5.5 × 42	35–55 min	Clear, focused flavor
Robusto	5 × 50	35–55 min	First cigars, everyday
Toro	6 × 50	50–70 min	A relaxed evening
Torpedo	6 × 54	50–70 min	A concentrated draw
Churchill	7 × 47	75–110 min	A long ritual
Lancero	7.5 × 38	60–90 min	Wrapper lovers
Gordo	6 × 60	60–85 min	Slow, cool smoke

Straight or shaped

ParejosStraight sides, round headCorona, Robusto, Toro, Churchill, Lancero and most cigars you will see. Easy to cut and light.

FiguradosShaped heads or feetTorpedo, Belicoso, Perfecto, Salomón, Diadema. Harder to roll and often prized. The taper concentrates the smoke.

Same brand, different formats. The size changes the balance of the blend as much as the smoking time.

How size changes the smoke

Wrapper versus fillerIn a slim cigar the wrapper makes up a bigger share of the tobacco, so its flavor shows more. Thick cigars lean more on the filler blend.

TemperatureThicker cigars usually smoke cooler and slower. Slim cigars can heat up faster if you puff quickly.

DevelopmentLonger cigars give the blend more room to change, so thirds feel more distinct.

DrawSlim formats draw with more resistance; large ring gauges feel open and airy.

Which size for the moment

You have…	Choose
20–30 minutes	Petit Corona or Petit Robusto
About 45 minutes	Robusto or Corona
An hour or more	Toro, Torpedo or Lonsdale
A long evening	Churchill or Double Corona

Browse cigars by formatFilter 500+ cigars in the Cigario catalog by vitola, origin and community rating.Open the catalog ›

Frequently asked questions

What does ring gauge mean?

The diameter of the cigar in 64ths of an inch. A 50 ring gauge is 50/64 inch, about 19.8 mm.

What is the most popular cigar size?

The Robusto, usually around 5 × 50. It is short enough for an evening and thick enough for a cool, full smoke.

Are bigger cigars stronger?

Not necessarily. Strength comes mostly from the blend. Bigger cigars simply last longer and often smoke cooler.

Is a Torpedo harder to smoke?

Only the cut needs more care. Cut the tip a little at a time until the draw feels right.

In shortLength tells you how long, ring gauge tells you how cool and how much filler. Start with a Robusto or Corona, then explore by the time you have.

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