How can the gauge of a needle be determined?

The gauge of a needle is determined by the thickness of the needle itself, which is most commonly indicated by its hub color. Each color on the hub corresponds to a specific gauge size, allowing for quick identification. This color-coding system is standardized across many manufacturers, making it a reliable way for practitioners to select the appropriate needle for different medical procedures.

While the length and flexibility of a needle are characteristics that can influence its usability for specific tasks, they do not provide information about the gauge. The manufacturer's label can also indicate the gauge, but the hub color is a more universally recognized and immediate method for identifying needle size in practice settings, which may account for the selection of hub colors being seen as the primary determinant of gauge in this case.