A comprehensive theoretical model for an SMF28–small-core SMF (SCSMF)–SMF28 structure based refractometer is developed based on the modal propagation analysis (MPA) method. The simulation result shows that the wavelength shift of this refractometer changes exponentially as the surrounding refractive index (SRI) varies. The core diameter of SCSMF does not have a significant influence on the sensitivity of the refractometer but cladding diameter does have. The simulation results are verified experimentally and it is also experimentally demonstrated that there is a maximum sensitivity of 1808 nm/RIU (refractive index unit) for an SRI range from 1.324 to 1.431 and that, as expected, the wavelength shift response is an exponential function of SRI.