# How much does a wedding band cost?

Updated 2026-10-22. Canonical: https://howmuchtospendonaring.com/wedding-band-cost/

**Short answer:** About $1,200 for a women's band and $600 for a men's band on average, from The Knot's 2023 study [1]. Alternative metals start under $200 [1]. In the UK, couples spend about £1,057 on rings for both [2].

## Average band prices

| Band | Average | Year | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Women's wedding band, US | $1,200 | 2023 | The Knot [1] |
| Men's wedding band, US | $600 | 2023 | The Knot [1] |
| Men's wedding band, US | $510 | 2019 | The Knot [1] |
| Both rings, UK, per couple | £1,057 | 2026 report | Bridebook [2] |

We could not find a newer per-band average from The Knot, so treat the US figures as 2023 prices.

## What changes the price

**Diamonds.** A plain band is the cheapest option. Bands set with diamonds in gold or platinum start around $1,000 for men's styles, according to a Michael Hill executive quoted by The Knot [1]. Women's bands at jewellers commonly range from about $1,000 to over $5,000 [1].

**Metal.** In the UK, Bridebook lists typical starting points for each metal [2]:

| Metal | Typical UK price |
| --- | --- |
| Titanium | from £50 |
| Silver | from £70 |
| 9ct gold | £150 to £400 |
| 18ct gold | £300 to £700 and up |
| Platinum | £350 to £1,000 and up |

**Alternative metals.** Black titanium from about $185, tungsten from about $200 and silver from about $85 in the US [1]. The catch: titanium and tungsten cannot be resized [1].

**Buying second hand.** A GIA graduate quoted by The Knot points to consignment women's bands at around $400 to $500 [1].

## Matching the engagement ring

If the band will sit next to the engagement ring every day, match the metal. White gold and platinum look almost the same when new, but they wear differently, and yellow or rose gold next to platinum is a deliberate look rather than a match. Our [style gallery](/styles/) shows the four metals side by side.

## Who pays

The tradition is that each partner buys the other's band. Many couples now split the cost evenly, buy their own, or split it in proportion to income [3]. Whatever you choose, put the bands in the same budget as the engagement ring so the total stays honest.

## Questions people ask

### What is the average wedding ring cost?

About $1,200 for women's bands and $600 for men's bands in The Knot's 2023 Jewelry & Engagement Study [1]. The men's figure was up from $510 in 2019 [1].

### What is considered an affordable wedding ring?

Plain bands in alternative metals: The Knot quotes black titanium from about $185, tungsten from about $200 and silver from about $85 [1].

### Can titanium and tungsten bands be resized?

No. Titanium and tungsten bands cannot be resized, so get the size right before you buy [1].

### Who buys the wedding bands?

Traditionally each partner buys the other's band. Splitting the cost, buying your own, or splitting by income are all common now [3].

## Sources

1. The Knot, How to save money on a wedding ring (2023 Jewelry & Engagement Study figures): https://www.theknot.com/content/how-to-save-money-on-wedding-ring
2. Bridebook, wedding ring prices (UK, updated 28 July 2026): https://bridebook.com/uk/article/wedding-prices-rings
3. The Knot, Who pays for the groom's wedding ring (updated 2 December 2024): https://www.theknot.com/content/who-pays-for-grooms-wedding-ring