How to Measure Yourself for Online Clothing
All you need is a soft tape measure and five minutes. Learn which measurements matter, how to take each one accurately and how to use them when shopping.
The short answer: use a soft tape measure, wear thin clothing, keep the tape level and snug but not tight, and write every number down in both centimetres and inches. With chest, waist, hips, shoulders, sleeve length and inseam, you can read almost any size chart.
What you need
- A soft, flexible tape measure (a piece of string and a ruler works in a pinch).
- A mirror, or better, someone to help with shoulders and sleeves.
- Thin, close-fitting clothing or underwear.
- Somewhere to note the results.
Which measurements are needed?
| Garment | Key measurements |
|---|---|
| T-shirts, shirts, jumpers | Chest, shoulders, sleeve length, body length |
| Dresses | Bust, waist, hips, length |
| Trousers and jeans | Waist, hips, inseam, rise |
| Skirts | Waist, hips, length |
| Jackets and coats | Chest, shoulders, sleeve length |
How to take each measurement
Chest or bust
Stand straight with your arms relaxed. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your armpits and across the shoulder blades. Check in the mirror that the tape hasn't dipped at the back.
Waist
Find your natural waist by bending slightly to one side — the crease that forms is where to measure. Keep one finger between the tape and your body so it isn't too tight.
Hips
With feet together, measure around the widest part of your hips and seat. It's often lower than people expect, so move the tape up and down to find the largest number.
Shoulders
Measure across your back from the edge of one shoulder to the other — the bony point where the shoulder meets the arm. This is much easier with help.
Sleeve length
Rest your hand on your hip so the elbow is slightly bent. Measure from the shoulder point, over the elbow, to the wrist bone. Some shirt charts measure from the centre back of the neck instead; the shirt measuring guide explains both.
Inseam
Measure from the crotch to the point on your ankle where you want trousers to end. Taking it from a well-fitting pair of trousers laid flat is usually more accurate than measuring your leg.
Tips for accurate results
- Measure twice and use the average if the numbers differ.
- Keep the tape parallel to the floor for chest, waist and hips.
- Stand naturally — don't breathe in or tense up.
- Re-measure every few months, or after any noticeable change.
Using your measurements when shopping online
Compare your numbers with the size chart shown on each product, paying attention to whether the chart shows body or garment measurements. Then read the fit description — slim, regular or relaxed — and check the fabric for stretch. Our guide on choosing the right clothing size online walks through this with an example.
Once you have your numbers, you're ready to browse with confidence, whether that's women's tops, dresses or men's shirts.