Does a cushion look smaller than a round?

A square cushion is slightly smaller face-up per carat than a round; an elongated cushion is comparable in width but longer, so it often reads similar overall.

Square or elongated cushion?

Square feels antique and traditional; elongated feels modern and finger-flattering. Try both on your hand before you decide.

Best setting for cushion?

Solitaire, halo, and three-stone all sit beautifully on a cushion. A hidden halo adds a lot of sparkle without changing the outline.

Do cushions hide inclusions well?

Yes — the softer facet pattern is more forgiving than a round or emerald, so you can often go a color/clarity grade lower without seeing it.

Cushion cut, soft and romantic.

Does a cushion look bigger or smaller than a round?

Cushions read pillowy and vintage. Here's how they compare face-up to round and oval at every carat weight.

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What it actually looks like

A cushion cut is a soft square with rounded corners — pillow-shaped, hence the name. It's the shape that reads romantic and vintage without tipping into fussy.

There are two families: square cushion (roughly 1:1) and elongated cushion (roughly 1.2:1 to 1.4:1). The elongated version stretches the finger and often flatters more hands. The square version reads more traditional and more antique.

Cushions have chunkier facets than round brilliants, so they throw broader flashes of light — less pinprick sparkle, more slow shimmer. Beautiful in candlelight, distinctive in daylight.

In this guide

Cushion carat-to-mm at true scale
Elongated cushion vs. square cushion
Best settings: solitaire, halo, three-stone
Cushion vs. round: which reads larger?

Cushion size, at true scale

A 1ct square cushion is about 5.75 × 5.75mm — a touch smaller face-up than a 1ct round. A 1ct elongated cushion is closer to 6.5 × 5mm and stretches the finger. Size up ~10% if you want it to read as visually large as a comparable round.

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FAQ

Common questions

Does a cushion look smaller than a round?: A square cushion is slightly smaller face-up per carat than a round; an elongated cushion is comparable in width but longer, so it often reads similar overall.
Square or elongated cushion?: Square feels antique and traditional; elongated feels modern and finger-flattering. Try both on your hand before you decide.
Best setting for cushion?: Solitaire, halo, and three-stone all sit beautifully on a cushion. A hidden halo adds a lot of sparkle without changing the outline.
Do cushions hide inclusions well?: Yes — the softer facet pattern is more forgiving than a round or emerald, so you can often go a color/clarity grade lower without seeing it.

More shape

Keep exploring.

Oval engagement rings, at true scale.

Ovals stretch a stone's face and finger-flatter without shouting. Here's how each carat weight actually reads on a hand.

Read →

Round brilliant, the one everyone starts with.

The most brilliant cut and the easiest to size in your head. See what a 1ct, 1.5ct, and 2ct round actually look like at true scale.

Read →

Emerald cut, quiet and architectural.

Emerald cuts read long and lean. See how each carat weight covers the finger and pairs with wedding bands.

Read →

Pear cut, elegant and unmistakable.

Pears elongate the finger and photograph beautifully. Here's what to know about orientation, setting, and true scale.

Read →

Radiant cut, brilliant and bold.

Radiants combine emerald-shape geometry with brilliant-cut sparkle. See how they compare at every carat weight.

Read →

Princess cut, sharp and modern.

Square, sparkly, and unmistakably 2000s-classic. Here's how princess reads at true scale today.

Read →