The best experience to shop for clothes is, of course, in-store.
But there are many situations when you need to shop online, so how can you make it work?
Just follow 4 steps:
- Check the size chart.
- Compare it with pieces in your wardrobe.
- Consult the store’s customer service if needed.
- Checkout.
We’ve created the simplest tutorial to help first-timers get started with the best accuracy.
This will help you maximize your chance in picking the perfect size to start enjoying the journey a well made piece of clothes brings you.
It has been tested for the last 9 years in business and proves to be working just fine.
Before choosing the right fit, it’s important to learn how to measure jeans properly. Picking a fit is more about personal preference, so we won’t go into detail here
Check out our fit guide for more detail. (hyperlinked)
7 Key steps in getting the right jeans size.
When it comes to measuring your jeans, there are 7 key parts you need to understand:
- Waist size, flat waist or waist circumference
- Rise Length
- Hip width
- Thigh width
- Knee width
- Hem width
- Inseam Length
To summarize these steps, you can see it as 2 parts:
- Measuring your waist size — this is where most people get confused.
- Measuring the rest of the leg — which is actually quite simple.
Once you learn these steps, it’ll take you just one minute to measure any pair of jeans accurately.
Let’s dive in.
How to measure jeans waist?
The first and most important step is getting the waist size right. Usually, once the waist fits, everything else will fall into place.
The two most common waist metrics you’ll see on size charts are:
- Waist circumference – the total length around the waistband of the jeans.
- Flat waist – the width of the waistband measured straight across from left to right when the jeans are laid flat.
You’ll find many methods online for measuring “waist circumference” or “flat waist.”
These different ways can be confusing, especially if you’re new to a brand.
That’s why we recommend focusing on just one method: the flat waist measurement.
How to measure flat waist size?
- Lay your jeans flat.
- Measure straight across the waistband from left to right.
- And it’s done.
If a pair of jeans you’re trying to buy has the same measurements as a pair that fit you well now.
There’s a 80% chance that it will fit you just fine.
Converting Flat Waist to Waist Circumference
The simple answer is: Flat Waist x 2
Let’s say your W29 GAP jeans measure 40cm (15.7”) across the flat waist.
The waist circumference is:
40cm x 2 = 80cm
15.7” x 2 = 31.4”
After knowing your own flat waist size, you can easily compare size charts across the internet using both flat waist and waist circumference.
How to measure waist circumference exactly?
- Lay your jeans flat.
- Line up the front and the back of the waistband.
- Measure straight across the waistband from left to right.
- Multiply by 2.
- And it’s done.
Some may already point out that our earlier equation — flat waist × 2 = waist circumference — isn’t perfectly accurate. And that’s true. The result can include a small margin of error, but it’s still the method almost everyone uses.
Here’s why the error occurs:
The true equation for waist circumference is:
In short, the real equation for waist circumference is to mutiply “flat waist” by 2 and plus 2cm (or 0.8 inch)
Flat Waist × 2 + 2cm (or +0.8")
For example, if your GAP W29 jeans measure 40cm (15.7”) across the flat waist.
The true waist circumference is
40cm x 2 + 2cm = 82cm
15.7 inch x 2 + 0.8inch = 32.2 inch
This difference exists because a jean’s waistband isn’t a perfect straight line, it’s curved.
The curve can only be calculated when you line up the front and back of the waistband.
That explains why the result differs slightly from the “flat waist” method.
So if you do it the second way - the lined-up-waistband way.
The number will look like this:
Your W29 GAP jeans measure 41cm (16.1”) across the flat waist when you lined up.
41cm x 2 = 82cm
16.1 inch x 2 = 32.2 inch
Of course, lining up the waistband can be tricky. Especially with thick denim that tends to bounce back itself.
It’s the most precise way to measure waist circumference, but it takes some practice to do smoothly.
And yes — I know you’re good at math.
It’s not a bad idea to do a little brain exercise sometimes.
Still, to avoid confusion or miscalculation, we always recommend checking the flat waist measurement when possible.
It’s the simplest and clearest way in most cases.
Mistakes to Avoid When Comparing Flat Waist Sizes
Compare by rise height.
Different waist heights will give different measurements. Always compare jeans with a similar rise length. For example, when shopping for mid-rise jeans, use your own mid-rise jeans as a reference. The same applies to high-rise or low-rise styles.
Use your own jeans, not your body.
Your own jeans are the best reference point. Always measure your jeans when comparing them to an online size chart. Using body waist measurement can be biased depending on where you measure your waistline.
Match fabric composition.
Always compare jeans with a similar fabric composition. If you’re buying 100% cotton jeans, measure your own 100% cotton pair of jeans. The same goes for stretch denim. Comparing stretch to rigid cotton jeans is going to be less accurate.
Measuring the rest of the jeans
The 2nd part is to check on the leg measurements to make sure the jeans are not going to fit too tight on you.
Basically it’s just measuring the width of each part of the jeans.
Be sure to lay the jeans flat before you start.
How to measure jeans thigh width?
Measure across the thigh from the crotch point to the outer seam edge.
Make sure the tape is vertical to the outer seam.
How to measure jeans rise?
Front Rise:
Button up the jeans.
Measure from top of the front waistband to the crotch point.
Back Rise:
Measure from top of the back waistband to the crotch point.
How to measure jeans hip width?
Go up 7.5cm (3 inch) from the crotch point.
Measure from one side seam to other across the jeans.
How to measure jeans knee width?
Begin from the crotch seam, go 35cm (13.75 inch) down to the knee point.
Measure flat across the knee.
How to measure jeans hem / leg opening width?
Measure the width of the hem from one side to the other straight across.
How to measure inseam of jeans?
Measure straight down the inside of the leg from the crotch point to the bottom hem.
A quick note from us – unless you are particular about your leg.
For most body types you only need to compare these 4 measurements to get the right size of the jeans.
- Waist size
- Rise
- Thigh
- Hem (Leg opening)
Other measurements like “hip width” or “knee width” are just ways to be really precise when you need to make sure it fits a certain part of your body.
Yup! You’re done here.
It’s all that simple and easy.
When it comes to premium brands, every brand has their own philosophy and ways of making things.
So size naturally differs from brand to brand.
Ask the retailer for some fit recommendations when you have trouble finding a suitable fit with a new or less familiar brand.
To get the right size, 80% of the responsibility is on you.
By using the tips provided above, you should be more than capable of finding a size that works.
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Now you know how to measure your jeans to use the size chart properly.
To get to the bottom of things.
Follow our 2nd grade lesson to learn more:
- Vanity Sizing / Universal Sizes in major brand jeans.
- Japanese brands and their own realm of jeans sizing.
- Sanforized vs Unsanforized jeans size.
- One Wash vs Unwashed jeans size.