How to Measure Pants Size (with Men’s & Women’s Size Charts) (2024)

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Learn to measure your waist and choose the right pant size online

Co-authored byChloée Ohayon-Crosbyand Bailey Cho

Last Updated: June 10, 2024Fact Checked

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  • Measuring Men's Pants Size
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  • Women's Pants Size
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  • Men’s Size Chart
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  • Women’s Size Chart
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There’s nothing better than finding pants that are flattering and comfortable, but choosing a well-fitting pair can be tricky. Sizes vary based on the brand and country, making it hard to decide what to buy. Luckily, we’re providing the ultimate guide to take your measurements and find the right size. We’ve also included a pants size conversion chart for both men and women so you can say goodbye to guesswork!

The Easiest Way to Find Your Pants Size

Wrap a soft measuring tape around the smallest part of your waist or where your pants are supposed to sit. Keep the tape flat against your skin and not overly tight. To find the inseam (or the length of your pants), measure from the base of your crotch to the bottom of your pant leg.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Measuring Men's Pants Size

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  1. 1

    Measure around your natural waist. Wrap a soft measuring tape around the smallest part of your waist, laying the tape flat against your skin and parallel to the floor. Make sure the tape is snug but not too tight, and avoid sucking in your stomach. If you’re buying low-cut or high-waisted pants, measure your waist where the pants are supposed to sit.[1]

    • For a more comfortable fit, put a finger between your body and the measuring tape.
    • You can buy measuring tape at fabric stores, convenience stores, or department stores.
    • If your measurement is in between two sizes, round up. For example, if you measure 34.5 inches, round up to 35 inches.[2]
    • For sizes measured in centimeters, round up to the nearest even number. For example, if you measure 51 cm, round up to 52 cm.
  2. 2

    Measure from your groin to your lower ankle to get your inseam. According to costume designer and wardrobe specialist Chloée Ohayon-Crosby, “the inseam is extremely important because it’s the length of your pants.”[3] To measure the inseam, place the measuring tape at the very top of your inner thigh, then measure down the inner leg seam until you reach the bottom of your ankle.[4]

    • Be sure to take your shoes off and keep the measuring tape flat against your leg.
    • If you’re having trouble, ask someone to help you, or lay a well-fitting pair of pants on a flat surface and measure from the crotch seam to the hemline.

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  3. 3

    Convert your measurements to find your size. Generally, your pants size will be your waist size followed by your inseam.[5] It will look something like “32 x 34,” which represents a waist measurement of 32” and an inseam measurement of 34”.

    • Keep in mind that fabric can shrink after washing, especially with jeans and khakis. It's okay for pants to feel a little loose or look a little long when you first buy them.
  4. 4

    Try your pants on before you buy them. Even if you think you have the right size, try your pants on in-store (if possible). They should feel snug, but not tight, around the waist and hit at the bottom of your ankle.[6]

    • Reading the size on the label will usually get you close to the right pair, but sizes can vary slightly between brands and individual pairs. Trying them on is the most accurate way to determine if they fit.
    • Finding the right size can take some trial and error. If the fit doesn't feel right, try sizing up or down.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Measuring Women's Pants Size

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  1. 1

    Measure your natural waist. Figure out the rise of your pants and where you want them to sit on your body. If you’re purchasing high-waisted pants, measure the narrowest part of your waist, underneath your rib cage and above your belly button. For low-rise pants, measure closer to your hips, right above your butt.[7]

    • How tight the measuring tape corresponds to how your pants will fit. If you pull the tape tight, your pants will fit tight. For a more relaxed fit, put a finger between your body and the measuring tape.
  2. 2

    Take your inseam by measuring between your groin and ankle. The inseam refers to the length of the pants, and can change based on what kind of shoes you will wear. If you plan to wear flats, measure from the top of your inner thigh to just above where the shoe meets the ankle. If you’re wearing heels, put them on and measure from the top of your inner thigh to the middle of the heel shaft.[8]

    • If you’re having trouble taking this measurement on yourself, lay a well-fitting pair of pants on a flat surface and measure from the crotch seam to the hemline.
  3. 3

    Convert your measurements into your size. Your size will vary depending on what country's size system you are shopping in and the clothing manufacturer. For example, a 26 inches (66cm) waist is a standard US size 6, a UK size 10, or a French size 38. The best way to find your size in a particular brand is to compare your measurements to their size guide.[9]

    • Keep your measurements on hand in inches and centimeters, if you're not sure which system you'll need when shopping.
  4. 4

    Try on pants before you buy them. Sizes can vary, even when you're buying 2 pairs of pants from the same brand. It can take some trial and error to find the right fit. Don't be afraid to try a size up or down from your "true" size, and always refer to the brand’s specific measurement chart before buying pants online.[10]

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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Men’s Pants Size Chart

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WaistInseamInternational Size
26” (66 cm)32” (81 cm)34
28” (71 cm)32” (81 cm)36
30” (76 cm)32” (81 cm)38
32” (81 cm)32” (81 cm)40
33” (84 cm)32” (81 cm)42
34” (86.5 cm)32” (81 cm)44
36” (91.5 cm)32” (81 cm)46
38” (96.5 cm)32” (81 cm)48
40” (101.5 cm)32” (81 cm)50
42” (106.5 cm)32” (81 cm)52
44” (111.5 cm)32” (81 cm)54
46” (117 cm)32” (81 cm)56
48” (122 cm)32” (81 cm)58
50” (127 cm)32” (81 cm)60[11]

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Women’s Pants Size Chart

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WaistHipInseamInternational Size
23” (58 cm)33” (84 cm)31” (79 cm)34
25” (63 cm)35” (89 cm)31” (79 cm)36
27” (68 cm)37” (94 cm)31” (79 cm)38
29” (74 cm)39” (99 cm)31” (79 cm)40
31” (79 cm)41” (104 cm)31” (79 cm)42
33” (84 cm)43” (109 cm)31” (79 cm)44
36” (91 cm)45” (114 cm)31” (79 cm)46
38” (96 cm)47” (119 cm)31” (79 cm)48
41” (104 cm)50” (127 cm)31” (79 cm)50
43” (109 cm)52” (132 cm)31” (79 cm)52
45” (114 cm)54” (137 cm)31” (79 cm)54
47” (119 cm)57” (145 cm)31” (79 cm)56
49” (124 cm)59” (150 cm)31” (79 cm)58
51” (129 cm)61” (155 cm)31” (79 cm)60[12]

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      Tips

      • Take measurements over bare skin to get an accurate measurement. If you’re wearing clothes, subtract 1” from your measurements.[13]

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      • Try different styles to see what looks best. For example, a slim cut works best on some figures, while a curvy cut works best on others. Things like the cut, fabric, and brand will all contribute to the fit of your pants.[14]

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      • If your pants fit well in the waist but are too long, take them to a tailor to be hemmed.

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      About This Article

      How to Measure Pants Size (with Men’s & Women’s Size Charts) (29)

      Co-authored by:

      Chloée Ohayon-Crosby

      Costume Designer & Wardrobe Specialist

      This article was co-authored by Chloée Ohayon-Crosby and by wikiHow staff writer, Bailey Cho. Chloée Ohayon-Crosby is a Costume Designer and Wardrobe Specialist 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 has worked as an assistant designer for the distinguished fashion house Chloée and as a freelance stylist with Glamour Italia. Chloée studied Fine/Studio Arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts and Fashion Design and Merchandising at the world renowned ESMOD École Supérieure des Arts in Paris, France. This article has been viewed 557,455 times.

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      Co-authors: 8

      Updated: June 10, 2024

      Views:557,455

      Categories: Pants and Shorts | Clothing Sizes

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      How to Measure Pants Size (with Men’s & Women’s Size Charts) (2024)

      FAQs

      What is the conversion between men's and women's pant sizes? ›

      Mens To Womens Pants Conversion Chart
      Your Waist in InchesMen's Pant Size (W/L)Misses Size
      31-32"318
      32-33"3210
      33-34"3312
      34-35"3414
      8 more rows

      What size is a men's 32 waist in women's? ›

      If you're a women's 8, your waist size is around 31 and you would wear a 32 in men's jeans.

      How to convert male to female size? ›

      There is an approximate 1.5 size difference between Men's and Women's sizing.
      1. A men's size 7 is roughly equivalent to a women's size 8.5.
      2. Widths remain the same during conversion: if you wear a Women's D width, you will also wear a Men's D width.

      What is a 34 inch waist in women's size? ›

      Women's Jeans Size Chart
      Waist (Inch)US Jeans SizeEuro
      30.51240
      31.51442
      331642
      341844
      6 more rows

      Is a men's large the same as a women's XL? ›

      If you're looking to convert a women's size XL to a men's size, you might need to consider the specific garment and brand. Some general guidelines might help, but they are approximate: A women's XL is typically equivalent to a men's medium or large in tops.

      How to buy men's pants as a woman? ›

      Number one is to get the waist sizing right, which will be a bit bigger than women's jeans, of course, but will ensure that your pants aren't going to fall down once you step outside. Wrap the waist around your neck, and if the pants meet equally on the other side, they'll fit perfectly.

      Is a 32 inch waist a size 14? ›

      Jeans sizing can vary between brands and styles, but a general guideline is that a size 14 typically corresponds to a waist size of around 32 to 34 inches. It's advisable to check the specific brand's sizing chart for accurate measurements.

      Are men's and women's jeans sizes the same? ›

      The method of measurement is the same for men and women. However, conversion to sizes is often different. For example, a waist that measures 30” will convert to sizes 29-31 in women's jeans and a size 28 in men's jeans. This is because men's jeans are cut differently from women's jeans.

      What is the women's size to men's size? ›

      Generally speaking, there's a 1.5-size difference in length between women and men shoes (ladies, if you're a size 8.5, you'd be a size 7 in men's shoes) but the width size remains the same (so if you're a women's D, you're also a men's D).

      How do you convert men's jeans to women's? ›

      Mens to Womens Jeans Sizes Conversion Chart
      Men's Jeans SizeWaist Size (inches)Women's Jeans Size
      2727” - 27.5”6
      2928” - 28.5”8
      3129” - 29.5”10
      3330” - 30.5”12
      6 more rows

      How does a men's medium fit on a woman? ›

      A: Hi, Most men's medium is womens size small. It also depends on the tshirt material. Hope it helps.

      Are mens and womens sizes the same? ›

      In general, if you're a woman buying men's shoes, you should go down 1.5 sizes. So, if you're a women's size 8, you'll be a men's size 6.5. Similarly, if you're a man shopping for women's shoes, you'll want to go up 1.5 sizes, for example from a men's size 8 to a women's size 9.5.

      What is a men's 32 waist in women's size? ›

      The 32 refers to your waist in inches. Just a rule of thumb, divide that number in half and you have a woman's size. So that would be a 16.

      How much does size 14 woman weigh? ›

      A size 14 Weight lifter would weigh very differently to a size 14 sedentary worker - as would a 5ft woman to one who stood at 6ft. There are several different size 14 measurements, so it is hard to pinpoint an accurate weight. On average, a size 14 can weigh anywhere from 140-200 pounds.

      What size is a 32 waist in women's jeans? ›

      For example: If you have a 32 inch waist, your size is a US-Size M or Euro-Size 42.
      Waist (Inch)Hips (Inch)US Size / Internat.
      31 - 3240 - 41M
      33 - 3441 - 42L
      35 - 3743 - 44L
      38 - 3944 - 45XL
      12 more rows

      What is a 34 in mens to womens? ›

      A 34 inch men's waist converts to around a women's size 13 jeans. Always measure for the best fit.

      What is a size 14 in women's to men's? ›

      A size 14 in women's pants is approximately equal to size 36 in men's. Depending upon the designer, a man with a size 34, 36 or even size 38 can fit into a size 14 in women's.

      What is a men's size 8 in women's? ›

      Womens To Mens Shoes Size Conversion Chart
      Women'sMen's/YouthEuro
      9.57.541
      10841.5
      10.58.542
      11943
      17 more rows

      What size is 36 in men's pants? ›

      Measurements
      SizeInseam (length 32/34)
      L3381/86
      3481/86
      XL3681/86
      XXL3881/86
      6 more rows

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