How to Measure Clothing Size: Step-by-Step for Accurate Results

What You Need

• Soft dressmaker’s tape measure (not a rigid ruler)
• A mirror
• Underwear only (never measure over clothing)
• Someone to help is useful but not required

Step 1 — Measure Your Bust (Women) or Chest (Men)

1. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest
2. Keep the tape parallel to the floor on all sides
3. The tape should be snug — not compressing, not loose
4. Read the measurement where the tape overlaps at the front
5. Women: measure over a thin, non-padded bra

Position: around fullest part of chest, parallel to floor
Hold: snug but not tight

Step 2 — Measure Your Waist

1. Find the natural waist — the narrowest point of your torso
2. It is usually 1–2 inches above your belly button
3. Wrap the tape around this point
4. Breathe normally and exhale gently before reading
5. Do not suck in or hold breath

Position: narrowest point of torso, 1–2" above belly button
Hold: snug, natural exhale

Note: For trousers, some brands measure at the “trouser waist” (where you wear the waistband) rather than the natural waist — this is lower and usually larger. See Men’s Clothing Size Guide for trouser waist vs inseam details.

Step 3 — Measure Your Hips

1. Stand with feet together
2. Place the tape around the fullest part of your hips and seat
3. This is usually 7–9 inches below your natural waist
4. Keep the tape parallel to the floor all around

Position: fullest part of hips/seat, ~8" below natural waist
Hold: parallel to floor

Step 4 — Measure Inseam (For Trousers)

1. Stand barefoot
2. Measure from the crotch seam to the floor
3. This is your full inseam — trousers are cut shorter (based on your break preference)
4. Or have someone measure while you wear a pair of trousers that fit well: measure from the crotch seam to the bottom hem

Step 5 — For Kids

Height is the primary measurement:

1. Have the child stand barefoot, back against a flat wall
2. Place a book flat on the top of the head, touching the wall
3. Mark the wall at the bottom of the book
4. Measure from the floor to the mark

Also measure chest (around fullest part of chest, just below armpits) and waist (natural waist). Cross-check all three against the brand’s size chart.

Record Your Measurements

Write down all three measurements before using any size chart:

Now enter them in the Clothing Size Calculator to get your size in US, UK, EU, and AU.

Measurement Tips

Re-measure every 6 months. Body measurements change gradually — don’t rely on measurements from years ago.

Measure in the morning. Measurements can increase by 0.5–1 inch during the day from bloating or water retention.

Write both inches and cm. US brands typically use inches; European brands use cm. Having both saves conversion time.

For online shopping: Always find the brand’s own size chart and compare your measurements directly — don’t just order the same letter size you wear from another brand. Why brands size differently is explained in detail.

See also: International Clothing Size Chart and US vs UK vs EU Clothing Sizes.