How to Measure Pants Size

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This article was co-written by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby. Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a fashion designer & costume consultant based in Los Angeles, California. With over eight years of experience in fashion consulting, Chloée specializes in personal, film, theater and commercial styling, as well as image consulting and costume design. Chloée works as a design assistant for the famous fashion company Chloe and is a fashion stylist for Glamor Italia. Chloée studied fine art and studio art at the Ecpe Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and studied fashion design at the ESMOD Écpe Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France.

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Measuring pants size includes measuring the waist, inner seams, hips and a few other less used measurements . When measuring pants, you should use your favorite pants to get the most accurate measurements. Determining your pants size makes it easy to choose the right pants for you because you no longer have to rely on sizing or sizing estimates between different brands. Once you know your pants size and fit, buying your jeans and pants will be as easy as candy!

Table of Contents

Measure basic parameters

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Use a tape measure. Tailors, dressmakers, weavers, and other garment manufacturers all use measuring tapes to accurately take customer measurements when sewing or fixing garments. This versatile and compact tool will help you measure your pants size in the most convenient way.

When using a tape measure, you need to stretch it but not over-stretching it. Tapes used to measure clothing are often made from soft man-made materials, which can deform if stretched and lead to errors.
You can also use the plastic tape measure found in the kits. This type of ruler is not as easy to use as a tape measure, but it can still be folded and measures curves.

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Use a well-fitting pair of pants. If you’re measuring pants to determine what type and size is right for you, it’s best to use a pair of pants that fit. Ideally, use pants that are not too old and have not been stretched. Pants should also be ankle-length or slightly longer, depending on preference.

Not all pants have the same measurements. Prepare some pants that fit you well. Casual pants will be slightly different from chinos or jeans.

Measure pants

Measure waist size. Lay your pants flat on the floor to get the most accurate waist measurement. Flatten the pants to remove wrinkles, but be careful not to stretch the pants. You’ll measure the back of the waist from side to side, then double the measurements to get the waist size. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Remember to spread the front of the pants up, the front pocket facing the ceiling.
When you spread the pants properly, you should see that the front waist is slightly below the back waist.

Measure the actual waist circumference of the body. You can measure your waist, but you still need to measure the waist size of the pants to determine the correct size. To measure your waist, you should wear underwear or other tight clothing. Measure your natural waist circumference. The natural waistline is usually the slimmest part of the body, located between the rib cage and navel. You can locate your waist by leaning to the side and looking for creases in your body. Wrap the ruler around your waist and record the measurement. Take measurements while standing upright, you can use a mirror to do this. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Insert a finger between the ruler and the body when measuring, this will help you not to pull the ruler too tightly.
Try not to squeeze your stomach. Stand up straight and keep your stomach as normal.
Hold the ruler parallel to the floor for accurate measurements.
If you can’t locate your waist, you can wrap your hands around your belly and squeeze, then slowly move your hands down until you feel the top of your hip bones.
By measuring your body waist and the waistband separately, you will get an idea of your waist size and the actual waist size as the two sizes may differ slightly.

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Measure hip size. You’ll measure the pant at the bottom of the zipper, from one outer rib seam to the other, then duplicate the result to get your hip measurement.

When measuring pants that are flat on the floor, be sure to measure from the outside seam of each side.

Measure the inside seam size. Place the tape measure from the crotch or where the pieces of fabric on the pants intersect, drag the ruler along the inside seam of the trouser leg to the hem. You can also wear your pants, stand up straight with your back against the wall and take this measurement to ensure accuracy. However, if you’re measuring this way, it’s best to have someone measure it for you. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Note that the inner side seam is usually measured up to the hem.
Use a well-fitting pair of pants to get the most accurate inside seam measurements.
If you are measuring by yourself, you can clip the tip of the ruler to the heel or the hem of your pants (your choice) and measure it upside down.
If the leg isn’t as long as you want it to be (or you’ve folded it up), measure to where you want it to be.

Measure the bottom seam of the front. To measure this size, you will measure from the crotch seam to the top edge of the waist on the front. The front bottom seam is usually 18 to 30 cm long. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Long pants are usually divided into regular, low-waist and high-waisted pants. The waistband is below the waist for low-rise pants, at the waist for regular pants, and above the waist for high-waisted pants.
Note that there are some differing opinions on how to measure the crotch seam. Many people believe that the “crotch seam” should be measured from the back waist, around the crotch, and up to the front waist.

Advice

If determining your pants size makes it easier to shop later, use the pants you like best to measure.
When measuring pants, it is best to choose one or several pairs of pants that fit you like and measure them when not wearing them.
If you’re sewing, the tailor will take your measurements while you’re wearing the pants. However, they also do this to measure exact body measurements, not just pants size.
Although looking at the size of the pants on the label will help you get an estimate of the pants that will fit you, measuring the pants size will give you a more accurate estimate, and keep in mind that trying on is always the best way to know. Does the pants fit you?

Steps

Measure basic parameters

Measure pants

Advice

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