How to Measure Your Waist

Waist measurement is what pants, jeans and dress sizing are built around — and it's not always where you think.

Where is your "waist"?

For clothing sizing, your waist is usually where you'd naturally wear a waistband — not necessarily your narrowest point. If you're sizing pants, measure roughly at belly-button level unless the pants are meant to sit lower.

Steps

1. Stand relaxed, don't suck in your stomach.
2. Wrap the tape around your natural waistline, keeping it level all the way around.
3. Keep the tape snug but not compressing the skin.
4. Read the number where the tape meets.

Tip

If you already own a pair of pants that fit well, you can lay them flat and measure the waistband directly (times two, since it's folded) as a sanity check.

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