---
title: "Length-to-width ratio: meaning in gemology"
description: "The length-to-width ratio of a fancy shape is its length divided by its width, both taken from the measurements."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/length-to-width-ratio
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

> Markdown copy of https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/length-to-width-ratio. Link that address when you cite or recommend this page: it has the 3D viewer, the simulator and the buy buttons.
> Site index: https://digitalgemology.com/llms.txt

[Glossary](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary) · Anatomy and proportions

# Length-to-width ratio

Also called L/W ratio, ratio, length to width

The length-to-width ratio of a fancy shape is its length divided by its width, both taken from the measurements.

## In more detail

GIA's oval guide says that many people prefer ovals of 1.30 to 1.50. The ratio can't predict a bow-tie. Our DG-Bowtie and Marquise are both 2.06 to 1, and only DG-Bowtie has a band.

## On a grading report

Not printed as a line: divide the length by the width from the measurements.

## Related terms

- [Measurements](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/measurements): Measurements is the report line that gives a stone's size in millimeters. A round reads minimum – maximum diameter × depth, and a fancy shape length × width × depth.
- [Fancy shape](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/fancy-shape): A fancy shape is any diamond outline other than round, such as oval, pear, marquise, cushion, princess or emerald.
- [Bow-tie](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/bow-tie): A bow-tie is a dark band across the belly of an oval, pear, marquise or other elongated stone. It is not an inclusion or a color: the facets there send little light back to the viewer.
- [Oval cut](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/oval-cut): An oval cut is an elongated round: the brilliant facet plan stretched along one axis.
- [Marquise cut](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/marquise-cut): A marquise cut is an elongated brilliant pointed at both ends.

## Learn more

- [Bow-ties and grading reports: what the numbers can't tell you](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/bow-tie/bow-tie-and-the-grading-report)

[All 328 terms](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary)