How to Take Body Measurements
Quick answer: you need three numbers for 90% of clothing decisions — chest (or bust), waist and hips. Measure the fullest part of the chest, the narrowest part of the waist, and the widest part of the hips, keeping the tape parallel to the floor and snug without compressing. Add inseam for trousers and shoulder width for jackets.
No tape measure? The clothing size calculator estimates chest, waist and hips from one photo, on your device. It is accurate to a few centimetres — enough to choose between two sizes.
Before you start
- Wear fitted clothing or underwear. Measuring over a jumper adds a size.
- Stand relaxed. Do not suck in or puff out — you want the body you will wear the clothes on.
- Use a soft tape, not a builder's tape. If you only have string, mark it and lay it against a ruler.
- Measure twice. If the two numbers differ by more than 1 cm, the tape was not level.
The five measurements that matter
1. Chest or bust
Around the fullest part of the chest, tape under the arms and parallel to the floor. For women, measure over the bust apex, not under it. Keep your arms down — raising them changes the number by a couple of centimetres.
2. Waist
The narrowest point of the torso, usually just above the belly button. Bend sideways: the crease is your natural waist. Keep one finger under the tape — a cinched waist reading is the single most common measuring mistake, and it is why people order a size too small.
3. Hips
Feet together, around the widest part of the hips and seat — usually 18–22 cm below the waist. Keep the tape level; it tends to slide down at the back.
4. Inseam
Easiest on a pair of trousers that already fit: measure from the crotch seam to the hem. On the body, measure from the crotch to the ankle bone. Do not measure to the floor unless you want the trousers to break on your shoe.
5. Shoulder width
From the bone at the tip of one shoulder, across the back, to the same point on the other side. It decides whether a jacket sits on your shoulders or slides off them, and it is the measurement a size chart is least likely to give you.
Which measurement decides which size
| Garment | Deciding measurement | Secondary check |
|---|---|---|
| T-shirts, shirts | Chest | Shoulder width |
| Jeans, trousers | Waist | Hips, inseam |
| Dresses | Bust | Waist, hips |
| Jackets, coats | Chest | Shoulder width |
| Skirts | Waist | Hips |
| Suits | Chest | Shoulder width |
The four mistakes that cause returns
- Pulling the tape tight. A tape pulled against the body reads 2–4 cm smaller than a relaxed one. Keep a finger under it.
- Measuring at the trouser waistband. Modern waistbands sit below the natural waist. Measure the body, not the garment.
- Comparing to the wrong chart. Many brands publish garment measurements (flat chest width) instead of body measurements. Double the flat chest width before comparing.
- Assuming the label travels. A US M is not an EU M. Convert the label with the size converter, or skip the label and compare measurements directly.
Measuring someone else
For children, measure height first and check the brand's height column before age — age labels are the least reliable number on a kids' chart. For a partner, have them stand naturally with arms slightly away from the body, and read the tape from the side rather than the front so you can see whether it is level.
Now use the numbers
Take the three numbers to the brand size chart of whatever you are buying and find the row that contains your chest (or waist). If your chest lands in one row and your waist in another, you are between sizes — the chart's garment cut decides which way to go, and that is the moment to read the brand's fit notes rather than the label.
Frequently asked questions
Where exactly is your waist?
The narrowest point of your torso, usually just above the belly button and below the bottom rib. Bend sideways — the crease that forms is your natural waist. Do not measure at the waistband of your trousers; that sits lower.
Should I measure over clothes?
Measure over fitted clothing or underwear, never over a jumper or jeans. A hoodie can add 3–5 cm to a chest measurement, which is a whole size on most charts.
How do I measure myself without help?
Use a mirror, keep the tape parallel to the floor, and measure twice. For the chest and bust, stand sideways to the mirror so you can see whether the tape is level at the back. If a tape measure is not available, the photo-based calculator estimates the same three numbers in about a minute.
What is the difference between body measurements and garment measurements?
Body measurements describe you; garment measurements describe the cloth laid flat (chest width, length, sleeve). A size chart uses body measurements, so you compare your numbers to the chart. If a brand publishes garment measurements instead, double the chest width and compare that to your chest plus the ease you want.
How often should I re-measure?
Once a year is enough for most adults, and again after a significant weight change. Children should be measured every three months — that is roughly how fast a child moves through a size.
Should I use inches or centimetres?
Use whichever your tape shows, but convert before comparing: 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Most European and Asian charts are in centimetres; US charts are usually in inches.