Cigar Size and Shape

By: Alan King

Cigars are categorized by size and shape. Together, these are known as the vitola of a cigar.

Cigar size is measured two ways: ring gauge (its diameter) and its length. For example, most non-Cuban robustos have a ring gauge of approximately 50 and a length of approximately 5 inches. Robustos of Cuban origin always have a ring gauge of 50 and a length of 4 inches.

The most common shape is the parejo. It has a cylindrical body, straight sides, one open end, and a round tobacco-leaf "cap" on the other end that must be sliced off in order to be smoked.

Parejos are designated by the following terms:

• Coronas
• Rothschilds (4 ½" x 50), after the Rothschild family
• Robusto (4 ?" x 50) 
• Hermosos No. 4 (5" x 48) 
• Mareva/Petit Corona (5 ?" x 42) 
• Corona (5 ½" x 42)
• Corona Gorda (5 ?" x 46) 
• Toro (6" x 50) 
• Corona Grande (6 ?" x 42) 
• Cervantes/Lonsdale (6 ½" x 42), named for Hugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale 
• Dalia (6 ¾" x 43) 
• Julieta, also known as Churchill (7" x 47), named for Sir Winston Churchill Prominente/Double Corona (7 ?" x 49) 
• Presidente (8" x 50) 
• Gran Corona ("A") (9 ¼" x 47) 
• Panatelas – longer and generally thinner than Coronas 
• Small Panatela (5" x 33) 
• Carlota (5 ?" x 35) 
• Short Panatela (5" x 38) 
• Slim Panatela (6" x 34.9) 
• Panatela (6" x 38) 
• Deliciados/Laguito No. 1 (7 ¼" x 38) 

These dimensions, of course, are estimated at best.

Irregularly shaped cigars are known as figurados and are more difficult to make, leading many to consider them higher quality cigars. During the 19th century, figurados were the most popular shapes; however, they have since fallen out of fashion and all but disappeared.

Figurados include the following:

• Torpedo – Like a parejo except that the cap is pointed. 
• Pyramid – Broad foot and evenly narrows to a pointed cap. 
• Perfecto – A caricature of a cigar, narrow at both ends and bulged in the middle. 
• Presidente/Diadema – Shaped like a parejo but considered a figurado because of its enormous size and occasional closed foot akin to a perfecto. 
• Culebras – An exotic of three long, pointed cigars braided together. 
• Tuscanian - Typical Italian cigar. This shape, known as a cheroot, is the largest selling cigar shape in the United States. 

Little Cigars differ greatly from regular cigars. They weigh less than cigars and cigarillos, and resemble cigarettes in size, shape, packaging and filters.

Whatever shape or size you prefer, a variety of cigars can be found online at fine purveyors’ websites.

About the Author

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