Gosh such personal questions to ask! ( :P sorry couldn't resist)

The hoops I make are generally 40" - 42". I measure from the outside edge to the outside edge of the hoop.

Outside edges, is where I measure mine.

Mine range from 34" to 45-46", lighter or heavier tubing. Many people use smaller and lighter hoops as they get more experienced and swear by it, but I found that after a few months of trying to "force it" on myself, I don't enjoy the small, lighter hoops so much. I prefer the rythme of my 43" PSI 160 hoop. It has a nice weight to it that makes "corkscrews" and all lifts appear to be liquidy smooth... I find the planes are more even as well, and the movements more sensual. It's really a personal preference, though! Bigger hoops simply fit more with my own way of dancing :-)

Beginner hoops are usually either 40" or 42"
The smallest I've heard of using is 36"
The smaller the hoop, the harder and faster it is when you use it.

I'm with Martine. I think 45-46 inches is best for most beginners. I know that's what I started with and I'm glad. 42-inches was way too fast for me when I first took up hooping. The rotation of the 45-46 inch hoops (measured standing on end, outside to outside) is slower and gives you more time to learn new moves. I have never seen anyone who can't hoop with a larger hoop but I've seen lots of folks give up with the smaller ones. When I teach, I always start folks out with a big hoop. Plus, I just love grooving with them. I have a lot of different size hoops. My favorite now is 39 inches but that may be because I'm hooping indoors so much. I still love my big hoops though, especially for outdoor festival hooping. Plus the flow looks so pretty with them. They are definitely my favorite hoops to watch when someone else is hooping.

The trick, though, is to fit a hoop to YOU! Most folks will want a hoop that, when stood on its side, stands somewhere between the belly button and the nipples. The larger around the hooper is, the larger the inside of the hoop needs to be. Height matters too. If you're very tall, you're proabably going to want a bigger hoop just because it will give you more time to do lifts and step-outs and what not.

In the end, I think it's best to err on the side of caution. If you make or buy a large hoop, you can always cut it down and make it smaller if you want a smaller one later. It doesn't work the other way around though...

I started off with a 45-46 inch hoop. I still use a 45-46 for stall and slow hooping practice.

For everyday hoopin', I use a 42-43 inch hoop.

I'm starting to hoop with a 38-40 inch hoop. I like a smaller lighter hoop....but it's taking time to get use to it.

I started on a 42" hoop, measured from the outside edges.
Right now I'm working with a 39" one, and I'm having fun with it since it moves so much faster.

my first and only hoop (so far!) is 42" and i'm loving it :D and i measured from the outer edge.

Hopefully I measured them right! :D

I have a 40 and a 44 inch hoop. The larger hoop is made with lighter psi tubing. The smaller hoop I have is from Hoopgirl. Does anyone know what psi tubing they use for their hoops?