Pick up a pair of compression socks and you'll see a number followed by "mmHg." 15-20. 20-30. Sometimes 30-40. It's a medical unit printed on something you're buying to wear to work, and it's enough to make a simple purchase feel like a doctor's appointment.
It doesn't need to. Here's what the numbers mean, which level suits everyday wear, and when it's worth talking to a doctor first.
What does mmHg mean?
mmHg stands for millimetres of mercury, the same unit used to measure blood pressure. On compression socks, it tells you how much pressure the sock applies to your leg, measured at the ankle, where the sock is firmest. The higher the number, the firmer the squeeze.
What graduated compression actually does
Graduated compression means the sock is tightest at the ankle and gradually looser towards the calf. That gradient works with your body.
Your leg veins push blood back up to the heart against gravity, helped by your calf muscles. When you stand or sit still for hours, that system slows down. Blood and fluid pool in your lower legs, which is why they feel heavy and your ankles swell by evening. There's more on this in why your feet and ankles swell by evening.
Firm pressure at the bottom and lighter pressure higher up gently nudges blood upward. It's why a good compression sock feels snug at the ankle rather than equally tight all the way up.
Think of it like squeezing a tube of toothpaste from the bottom. Pressure at the lowest point pushes everything upward. Pressure spread evenly along the tube doesn't move much at all. That's the difference between graduated compression and a sock that's simply tight.
Do you need a prescription for compression socks in India?
Not for everyday levels. Socks in the 15-20 mmHg range, including Wekynd's, are sold over the counter and can be worn by anyone.
Firmer levels are a different matter. From around 20 mmHg upward, compression stockings are treated as medical products, used for conditions like varicose veins, lymphoedema or recovery after surgery. Most pharmacies and specialist sellers will ask for a doctor's recommendation before dispensing them, and they're usually fitted after proper measurement rather than picked off a shelf.
If you have diabetes, a circulation condition or a skin problem on your legs, check with your doctor before using any compression, at any level.
The four levels, side by side
| Level | mmHg | How It Feels | Who It Suits | Bought over the counter? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 8-15 | Gentle, barely noticeable | Mild tiredness, shorter days | Yes |
| Moderate | 15-20 | Snug and supportive, comfortable all day | Long days on your feet or at a desk, travel, everyday swelling | Yes |
| Firm | 20-30 | Noticeably tight | Varicose veins, more significant swelling, after some procedures | Usually needs a doctor's recommendation |
| Extra firm | 30-40 | Very tight, clinical | Serious venous conditions, lymphoedema, post-surgery | No, fitted under medical guidance |
Which level suits everyday wear?
For most people, 15-20 mmHg. It's firm enough to make a real difference to heavy legs and evening swelling, and comfortable enough to wear for 8 to 10 hours without feeling like a medical device.
That's why Wekynd makes its compression socks at 15-20 mmHg. It suits the people we make them for: nurses on long shifts, teachers on their feet all morning, people at desks all day, and anyone on a long flight or train journey.
Light compression at 8-15 mmHg is fine if you just want a little extra comfort, though many people find it too gentle to notice much on a long day.
Does a higher number mean a better sock?
No, and this is the most common mistake people make. A higher number isn't a stronger version of the same thing. It's a different product for a different job. Wearing 20-30 or 30-40 mmHg without a medical reason can be uncomfortable and, for some people, unsafe. That's why those levels are usually sold under medical guidance.
Pick the level that matches your need, not the biggest number on the shelf.
Signs your compression is too firm
Even at the right level, pay attention to how your legs feel. Take the socks off and check your size or talk to a doctor if you notice:
- Numbness or tingling in your feet or toes
- Pain rather than a snug, supportive feeling
- Toes that look pale, blue or unusually cold
- Deep marks that are painful, or skin that looks irritated
A light mark where the top of the sock sat is normal and fades on its own. Pain isn't normal and shouldn't be ignored.
Who should talk to a doctor before wearing any compression
15-20 mmHg is an everyday level that most people can wear without seeing a doctor first. A few conditions mean you should check with a doctor before you start:
- Peripheral arterial disease, or poor circulation to the feet
- Diabetes with reduced feeling in your feet
- Heart failure
- Broken skin, wounds or an active skin infection on your legs
- Any recent surgery or a history of blood clots
What else to check besides the number
- Fit. The right level in the wrong size won't do its job. Our size guide makes this quick.
- Fabric. In Indian heat, a cotton-rich blend breathes better. Wekynd is 68% combed cotton, 20% rubber and 12% spandex. The rubber and spandex create the compression, and the cotton keeps it wearable. More in cotton or synthetic compression socks.
- Graduated or just tight. Some cheap socks are simply tight all the way up. Look for graduated compression.
- Length. Compression socks usually come up to just below the knee, because that's where the calf pump sits.
What compression socks cost in India
Prices vary a lot. Very cheap pairs are often just tight socks without a proper graduated fit, and the elastic tends to give up quickly. Firmer medical-grade stockings, from 20 mmHg upward, cost more and are usually fitted through a pharmacy or clinic.
Wekynd compression socks are ₹1,299 a pair. You can mix colours and sizes across packs: 2 pairs for ₹1,499, 4 for ₹2,399 and 6 for ₹3,299, applied automatically at checkout.
How long to wear 15-20 mmHg each day
Put them on in the morning, before your legs have had a chance to swell, and wear them through your working day. Wekynd socks are designed for 8 to 10 hours of wear. Take them off at night, since lying down takes gravity out of the equation. Our guide on how long to wear compression socks covers this in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What mmHg is best for everyday use?
15-20 mmHg, for most people.
Do I need a prescription for 15-20 mmHg compression socks?
No. 15-20 mmHg socks are sold over the counter and can be worn by anyone.
Is 20-30 mmHg better than 15-20?
It isn't better, it's firmer. It's meant for specific medical needs and is usually sold under medical guidance.
Can anyone wear 15-20 mmHg compression socks?
Yes. If you have diabetes or a circulation condition, check with your doctor first.
Where is the pressure measured?
At the ankle, where graduated compression is firmest.
How do I know if my compression socks are graduated?
The packaging or product page should say so. A graduated sock feels firmest around the ankle and noticeably lighter at the top. Wekynd socks are 15-20 mmHg graduated compression.