Apple Watch Leather Strap Sizes: 38–42 mm or 44–49 mm, and Which Finish to Choose

Swapping the strap is the easiest way to give your Apple Watch a fresh look, and a leather strap is the classic choice for everyday wear or the office. The one thing that trips people up is the size: Apple has made cases in 38, 40, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46 and 49 mm, but straps are not sold by exact millimetre. They come in two connector families. In this guide we explain how to work out which one is yours in under a minute, what the deal is with 42 mm (the size that causes the most confusion) and how to pick the leather finish that suits you best.

The two strap families: 38–42 mm and 44–49 mm

Since the very first Apple Watch, straps have attached with a connector that slides into the slot on the case. Apple has kept to two connector widths, so a strap made for a small case fits every small case released since, and the same goes for the large ones. That is why Vivaldo's leather straps come in two sizes:

• 38–40–41–42 mm: the small connector family.
• 44–45–46–49 mm (Ultra): the large connector family.

This table shows the case sizes of each generation and which family they belong to:

How to check your Apple Watch size

If you can't remember which case you bought, there are three ways to check:

1. On the back of the watch. Turn it over: around the sensor there is very small engraved text that includes the case size (for example, "41MM" or "45MM").
2. On the original box or your receipt. The size is part of the product name ("Apple Watch Series 9 GPS 45mm…").
3. On your iPhone. In the Watch app, go to General > About: there you will find the model number, which you can use to look up the size on Apple's model identification page.

With that number, all you need to do is pick the matching option on the strap's product page: anything that is 38, 40, 41 or 42 mm (Series 10, 11 and 12) takes the small size, and anything that is 44, 45, 46 or 49 mm takes the large one.

The special case of 42 mm

Here is the one catch. Apple has used the 42 mm size in two different eras, with different connectors:

• The 42 mm of the Series 1, 2 and 3 (2015–2017) was the large case of its generation, so it uses the large connector family: it takes size 44–49.
• The 42 mm of the Series 10, 11 and 12 is the current small case and uses the small connector family: it takes size 38–42.

So if your watch is a 42 mm, check the generation before ordering. A 42 mm Series 3 needs the 44–49 mm strap, even though that number doesn't appear in the size name.

Which leather finish to choose

All our leather Apple Watch straps are made from top-grain cowhide leather, come as two pieces with the buckle and adapters already fitted, and adjust with several holes. What changes between collections is the surface finish and the width of the strap.

Smooth and glossy: the classic

A smooth surface with a soft sheen, tone-on-tone stitching and matching hardware. It is the strap that looks most like a dress-watch strap and the one that works best with a shirt or blazer. In black with a black buckle it is the most understated option; in cognac brown with gold-tone hardware, the warmest.

Glossy Genuine Leather Apple Watch Strap - Black — All black with a black buckle and adapters: goes with any case and any watch face.

Glossy Genuine Leather Apple Watch Strap - Cognac Brown — Warm brown with gold-tone hardware, ideal if your Apple Watch has a gold or starlight case.

Slim pebbled: light and understated

Pebbled leather has a texture of tiny raised bumps (lychee grain) that hides signs of wear and looks less formal than smooth leather. The slim version gives the strap a sleeker line and is very comfortable on smaller wrists.

Slim Pebbled Leather Apple Watch Strap - Taupe — A very neutral greyish brown with a rose-gold buckle and connectors: perfect for light-coloured aluminium cases.

Wide pebbled: more presence on the wrist

The same pebbled texture in a classic width that fills the wrist better and balances the large 45, 46 and 49 mm cases. If you are coming from the sport band and want leather that doesn't look too thin, this is the natural choice.

Wide Pebbled Leather Apple Watch Strap - Brown — Classic brown with a silver-tone steel buckle; the most versatile option for everyday wear.

Crocodile-embossed: to stand out

An embossed pattern of rounded, irregular scales with a subtle play of light. A finish with real personality that looks great with a steel case and understated watch faces.

Crocodile-Embossed Leather Apple Watch Strap - Black — Pronounced relief in black with silver-tone hardware: a watchmaking classic adapted to the Apple Watch.

Vintage matte: an aged look

A matte finish with slight variations in tone, like traditional leather watch straps: with wear they gain character rather than losing it.

Vintage Matte Leather Apple Watch Strap - Coffee Brown — Deep brown with dark stitching and a gold-tone buckle, for anyone after a classic-watch look.

You can see every colour and finish in our leather Apple Watch straps collection, or browse the rest of the range in Apple Watch straps.

A tip: match the hardware to the case

The buckle and adapters come in silver, gold, rose gold or black. Choose the same tone as your watch case (silver for silver aluminium or steel, black for graphite or black, gold and rose gold for gold, starlight or pink cases) and the strap will look like it came with the watch.

How to change the strap and look after it

1. Place the watch face down on a clean, soft surface.
2. Press and hold the strap release button on the back and slide each piece of the old strap out sideways.
3. Slide the connectors of the new strap into the slots until you feel them click into place; don't force them if they won't go in: check the orientation and the size.

Natural leather moulds to your wrist with wear and may pick up small marks or shifts in tone: they are part of its character. Take it off to shower or exercise, wipe it with a cloth if it gets wet and let it air-dry away from sunlight and heat, with no soap, alcohol or perfume.

Frequently asked questions

Does a 41 mm strap fit a 40 mm Apple Watch?

Yes. 38, 40, 41 and 42 mm (Series 10, 11 and 12) share the small connector family, so the same strap fits all of them.

Which strap do I need for an Apple Watch Ultra?

The Ultra, Ultra 2, Ultra 3 and Ultra 4 have a 49 mm case and take the 44–45–46–49 mm size, the same as the 44 and 45 mm Series 4 to 9 and the 46 mm Series 10, 11 and 12.

I have a 42 mm Series 3, which size should I order?

Size 44–49 mm. The 42 mm of the Series 1, 2 and 3 belongs to the large connector family; the 42 mm listed in the 38–42 size is that of the Series 10, 11 and 12.

Are Vivaldo's leather straps genuine leather?

Yes. They are made from top-grain cowhide leather, with a stainless steel buckle and metal adapters already fitted.

Can I get the leather strap wet?

Best avoided. A splash won't harm it if you dry it straight away, but leather should not be submerged or worn for swimming or showering.