If you’ve ever ordered clothes online only to find they don’t fit quite right, you already know the importance of accurate sizing. Learning how to take your clothing measurements is the easiest way to ensure a perfect fit, whether you’re shopping online, sewing your own garments, or getting something tailored.
By using a simple measuring tape and a few easy techniques, you can measure your bust, waist, hips, and more with precision—helping you avoid guesswork and disappointment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions so you’ll always know your exact measurements before buying or making clothes.
Why is it important to know your body measurements?
Fitness tracking: Knowing your body measurements before and during a fitness journey is an easy and accurate way to monitor progress. Whether you’re seeking to lose weight or bulk up, taking your body measurements at incremental points throughout your fitness journey can be a great motivator as well as give you an indicator on any room for improvement. Compared to scales, tape measurements highlight where your body is changing.
Buying clothes online: In the UK there is no legally enforced standardised clothing sizes which, over decades of fashion globalisation and change in body shapes, has resulted in a disparity in the sizes used by different retailers. Download our free guide to body and clothing measurements here to find out more about why clothes from different retailers fit you differently. Knowing your clothing measurements allows you to compare this information to size guides and garment measurements provided by online retailers.
Clothing and garment measurements
How often should you take your clothing measurements?
When tracking your clothing measurements as part of a fitness journey, the particular plan you are on will determine how often you should take your measurements. If you are aiming to lose a lot of weight fast or gain weight for bulking, you may see changes in your clothing measurements faster than if you are taking a slower, longer term approach. It is important not to let the tape measure become your measure of success.
On the other hand, if you’re taking your clothing measurements to better buy clothes that fit, we would recommend taking updated measurements every 6 months. If during that time you have had faster than usual weight loss or weight gain, you may need to reduce this interval to 3 months.
Top Tips for taking accurate measurements
Use a fabric tape measure: metal tape measurements will provide inaccurate results when taking your waist, hip and bust measurements.
Wear loose clothing: thick and tight clothing may impact your measurements. Avoid wearing denim or a thick jacket when taking your clothing measurements
Record your measurements (TWICE): Record your measurements in your phone so you can refer to them time and again. Take each measurement twice and average them to get your final measurement.
Measure in the morning: Take your clothing measurements in the morning before your first meal to avoid any inaccuracies caused by bloating.
Stand relaxed: Keep your regular, relaxed posture when taking your measurements.
Ask for help: Certain clothing measurements are taken much easier with the help of a friend.
Upper Body Measurements
We’re going to walk you through how to take your upper body measurements for clothing for your bust/chest, shoulder width, arm length and waist
How to take your bust measurement
- Put on a well-fitting bra - one that you wear regularly and isn't too padded.
- Stand naturally with your arms relaxed
- Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your bust (usually across the nipples and the back), keeping the tape level all the way around. Stand in front of the mirror to check the tape is level.
- Make sure the tape is neither digging in nor loose, breathe normally. You should be able to fit your finger between you and the tape, any looser or tighter and the measurement will be inaccurate.
How to take your shoulder width measurement
- Bring in your friend to help you with this one
- Locate the bony points where your arm joins the shoulder on each side - they're the outermost tips of your shoulders
- Have your friend measure straight across the back from tip to top (not from front). Keep the tape across the highest point of the shoulder blades and parallel to the floor.
How to take your arm length (sleeve length) measurement
- Stand with your aem relaxed and slightly bent at the elbow
- Have your friend measure from the shoulder tip down the outside of your arm to the wrist bone (where you want the cuff to sit). If you prefer long sleeves that cover the wrist, measure to the base of the thumb.
How to take your waist measurement
- Bend to the side to find your natural waist — the small crease where your torso bends. This is usually above the belly button and below the rib cage.
- Stand back up straight, wrap the tape around this narrowest point, keeping it parallel to the floor.
- The tape should be snug but comfortable. Don't hold your stomach in.
Lower Body Measurements
Now you’ve got your measurements for your upper body, it’s time to take the measurements for your lower body; hips and inside leg.
How to take your hip measurement
- With your feet together, find the fullest point of your hips and bottom — this is usually 15–25 cm (6–10 in) below the natural waist but varies by body.
- Wrap the tape around the widest part, making sure it's level around the body and not riding up at the back.
How to take your inside leg (inseam) measurement
- Wear shoes you'll normally wear or barefoot.
- Measure from the top of the inner thigh at the crotch point straight down the inside of your leg to the point you want the hem to fall (ankle bone for full length, mid-calf for cropped).
- Keep the tape straight and tight against the leg.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Pulling the tape too tight or leaving it too loose.
- Measuring over thick clothing.
- Taking measurements at inconsistent points.
- Not keeping the tape level around the body.
Download the full guide FOR FREE
If you want to know more about how to take your clothing measurements, how to take garment measurements and how to compare the two to find clothes that better fit you, download our FREE guide to clothing measurements.
- Why the same size from different shops fit differently
- What is vanity sizing and how it has shaped clothes sizing forever
- How to take your garment measurements
- How to compare your body measurements to garment measurements and size guides online
- Your own personal clothes measurements tracker tool
Download for FREE
