A perfect-fitting pair of pants will flatter your body and fit you very comfortably. But when shopping online, finding the right-sized pants can be difficult. Knowing how to measure pants and learning your inseam, hips, and waist measurements can be a great starting point in finding the right-fitting pants.
Quick steps to measure pants for men and women
- Waist – Start with measuring the waist width
- Hips – Then measure the hip width
- Thighs – Next, measure the fullest part of your thigh, generally right below your crotch
- Knees – Flex your knee and measure around it.
- Instep – Now measure the leg opening width
- Rise – Measure the front and back rise from the waist to the intersection of inseams
- Inseam – Measure the inseam length from the crotch to the hem of the pants
- Full length – Lastly, check the full length from the waist to the ankle
In-Depth Steps for How To Measure Pants
Pants have multiple measurements that need to be considered. We’ll go through the measurements step-by-step here. Use a pair of pants that already fit you well for these measurements. If you’re measuring your body instead of an existing pair of pants, please ensure that you take the measurements in your underwear for the best accuracy.
Step 1: Measure waist width
Lay your pants flat on a floor or table. Button up and zip the pants up. Now measure the waistband starting from one end, going around the pants, and back to the starting point. This will give you the waist measurement.
Step 2: Measure the hips
Now, spread the pants out flat and measure the widest part. Go from one corner of the pants to the other in a straight line.
Step 3: Measure the front and back rise
Spread the legs of the pants. For the front rise, measure from the waistband along the zipper up to where the inseam of both legs intersects.
For the back rise, turn the pants over, and measure from the waistband along the inseam up to where both the inseams intersect. Record both measurements separately, as some pant sizing charts may have these measurements for a better fit.
Step 4: Measure thigh width
Next, the thigh width is measured right below the crotch where the thighs are the widest. Measure around the widest part of your pant leg right below the crotch.
Step 5: Measure knee width
For this measurement, you may want to wear your pants. This is because some pants have stretchable fabrics, and measuring the knees without flexing them can lead to a tight and uncomfortable fit.
However, if your pair of pants are not stretchable, you can take this measurement without wearing them. If you’re wearing the pants, slightly bend your knee to ensure comfort when you’re walking or sitting.
Alternatively, lay the plant flat on the floor or table and spread the leg out completely. Measure the knee from one end, around the pants, and back to the starting point.
Step 6: Measure Leg opening
The leg opening varies, as it also determines the style of the pants. For example, a boot cut will have a wider leg opening, while slim cut ones have a smaller leg opening.
Spread the leg opening evenly and measure around to get the circumference of the opening.
Step 6: Measure Inseam length and outseam (full) length
Finally, measure the length of the pants. You’ll need both the inseam and outseam or the full length of the pants.
To measure your inseam, start measuring between the legs from the crotch to your ankles. The full length will be measured from the waistband to the ankle.
How to Use Pant Measurements to Find Your Size
Once you’ve taken accurate measurements of your waist, hips, thighs, inseam, and other key areas, the next step is translating these numbers into the right pant size. Here’s how to understand what pant sizes mean and how they align with measurements.
Check the Brand’s Size Chart
Every clothing brand may have slightly different sizing. Compare your measurements with the brand’s size chart, paying close attention to waist, hip, and inseam measurements. This is the most reliable way to match your body to their sizes.
Consider Fit Style
Pants come in various fits—slim, straight, relaxed, or curvy. A slim fit may require a slightly larger measurement for comfort in the hips or thighs, while a relaxed fit may have extra room. Use your measurements to decide which style will be comfortable.
Convert Measurements to Standard Sizes
Pants are typically labeled by waist × inseam (e.g., 32×34). Use your waist measurement for the first number and your inseam for the second. For example, if your waist measures 32 inches and your inseam is 34 inches, you would look for size 32×34.
Adjust for Material and Stretch
Consider the fabric. Stretchable materials like spandex blends may allow you to size down slightly, while non-stretch fabrics may require an exact fit or even one size up for comfort.
Use Your Full Set of Measurements
Some brands include additional measurements like thigh or knee width. If these are available, compare them to your own measurements to ensure a comfortable fit, especially if you have muscular or curvy legs.
More Tips for getting the perfect pair of pants
- If you’re measuring an existing pair of pants that fit you well, lay them flat on a table or the floor and stretch them out fully for accurate measurement.
- Some pants may fit right at the waist but could be too long or too short. In case the waist fits perfectly well but the length is shorter, go for a larger size and take your pants to the tailor for hemming.
- It’s preferable to take measurements when wearing only your undergarments or body-fitting pants like Yoga pants.
- Pants fit differently depending on the style of fit you choose. So it’s worth trying the different styles like slim cuts or curvy cuts. You may also need to look at the type of material used and if it’s stretchable enough to give you some room.
FAQs About Measuring Pants
What do 30×32 pants mean?
Pants are measured by waist x length. The first number 30 is the size around the waist in inches. The second number 32 is the length of the leg or the inseam.
How do I measure my pants size?
To measure your pants size, start by measuring the waist width. Then measure the hip width. Next, measure the fullest part of your thigh, generally right below your crotch. Now, flex your knee and measure around it for your knee width.
Now measure the leg opening width near your ankle. Measure the front and back rise from the waist to the intersection of the inseams. And finally, measure the inseam length from the crotch to the hem and the outseam (full length) from the waistband to the ankle.
Are 38 pants size 38 inches?
Yes, pant size 38 means the waistband is 38 inches in circumference.
Are pants sizes in cm or inches?
Pant sizes are generally measured in inches. So a size 36 pair of pants will have a waist circumference of 36 inches.
Ensure Accurate Pants Measurements With the Kiwi Sizing App
If you sell pants online, you can reduce your size-related returns using a size chart with unit conversion. It will help your customers pick the perfect-fitting pants using the measurement units they’re most comfortable with.
You can also use Kiwi Sizing AI Size Recommender as a size chart tool. It asks your customers a few questions about their body type and style preferences and suggests the perfect size for their choice of clothing. Try it today!
