In order to investigate the relationship between the ring gap ratio and oil consumption, the axial motion of piston ring was measured by capacitance technique. The pressures of each land and the motions of each ring were calculated by orifice-volume method in which it is assumed that the ring gaps are the only gas leakage paths. The calculated results were compared with the measured ones. Consequently, it is known that the increase of ring gap ratio has the effect of lifting the first ring. The calculated results were roughly in accordance with those measured. Therefore, it is possible to predict the effect of design variables on the pattern of ring motion. It is known that the lift off of first ring accompanied by the increase of ring gap ratio make rise of oil consumption.