Take Clothing Measurements
Many clothing catalogs or fitness programs ask you to take measurements on various parts of your body. Here is how to properly measure each area. The following tips will help you take basic clothing measurements.
Contents
Steps
Men
- Get a flexible measuring tape. These are often sold in craft stores.
- Neck:
- Measure around the base of the neck in inches.
- Round up to the nearest half inch.
- Chest:
- Wrap tape measure under armpits around fullest part of chest (usually right above nipples).
- Sleeve:
- Bend your elbow and rest your hand on your hip.
- Have someone measure from the middle of the back of your neck to your wrist by putting the tape measure over your shoulder, around your elbow and to your wrist.
- Waist:
- Wrap tape measure around where you normally wear your pants.
- Keep tape measure a little loose by keeping a finger between the tape measure and your waist.
- Hips:
- Stand with legs about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} apart and measure around the fullest part of your hips.
- Inseam:
- Put on a pair of shoes.
- Have someone measure from your crotch to back of the heel, where you want your pants to end.
Women
- Get a flexible measuring tape. These are often sold in craft stores.
- Bust:
- Wrap tape measure under the armpits, around the fullest part of the bust.
- Bra:
- Traditional method: Wrap tape measure just under the breasts, around the rib cage. Don't forget to add four (five if odd number) inches this is your band width. Then subtract your bust measurement from your band width. The result is your bra/cup size.
- Modern method: Wrap tape measure just under the breasts, around the rib cage. This is your underbust measurement. Round up to the nearest even number to get your band size. Then subtract your underbust measurement from your bust measurement .
- The result is your cup size according to the following:
- AA = 1/2"
- A = 1"
- B = 2"
- C = 3"
- D = 4"
- E/DD (US) or DD (UK) = 5"
- F/DDD (US) or E (UK) = 6"
- G (US) or F (UK) = 7"
- H (US) or FF (UK) = 8"
- I (US) or G (UK) = 9"
- J (US) or GG (UK) = 10"
- Waist:
- Wrap tape measure around where you normally wear your pants.
- Hips:
- Stand with legs about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} apart and measure around the fullest part of the hips (usually about 7-10 inches below the waist).
Tips
- Keep in mind that cotton shrinks.
- Have someone else do the measurements for you.
- Don't tuck in your tummy or push out. Just be the normal you.
- Take off any layers, such as layered tank tops. Keep your bra on.
- When measuring keep the tape measure snug, but not tight.
Related Articles
- Determine Your Body Shape
- Take Measurements (For Women)
- Convert Metric Lengths to Imperial
- Read a Measuring Tape
