How to Measure Jeans
Men's Jeans
With just a piece of chalk and a sewing tape, you can measure your old pair of jeans and make sure the new pair you are ordering fits perfectly. Measure your waist, both rises, thigh, knee, hem and inseam in under 4 minutes.
This is How to Measure Jeans: Your At-Home Guide.
In this article, I will show you how to measure your jeans so you can order your next pair online and not worry if they will fit.
Jeans are like any other piece of clothing. They vary in size from brand to brand and can even change in size from year to year within a brand.
Before any measurements occur be sure to wash your jeans and iron them after. This will allow for any denim shrinking to occur prior to measuring.
You can do this step-by-step guide to measuring your jeans all by yourself. There is no need for a partner, wife, husband or mother to lend a helping hand.
All you need is a little bit of patience and these:
- A pair of jeans (or pants) that fit you properly.
- A flat surface (desk, table, floor.)
- A sewing tape (your measuring tape from the shed will work if no sewing tape can be found.)
- Chalk.
How to Measure Jeans
While your measuring your jeans you may also want to bring out other pieces of your wardrobe to make sure your online order is perfect.
1. How to Measure Jeans Waist
1. Button up the jeans
Button up the jeans you are using.
2. Lay flat
Lay the jeans flat.
3. Smooth the waistband
Smooth the top waistband with your palm.
4. Start to measure
Measure from one side to the other.
5. Multiply the measurement
Take that measurement and multiply it by 2.
Learn more on How to Measure Waist for Pants.
2. How to Measure Jeans Hip Size
- Keep jeans in the same flat position.
- Start by measuring 2-3 inches up from the crotch stitch (keep in mind all brands differ on this number.)
- From that point above the crotch stitch, measure side-ways from hip to hip.
- This is your hip size measurement.
3. How to Measure Jeans Front Rise
- Keep jeans in the same flat position.
- Measure from the bottom of the crotch stitch, along the zipper, to the top of the waistband.
- This is your front rise measurement.
4. How to Measure Jeans Back Rise
- Flip jeans over into identical position, but reversed.
- Measure from the bottom of the crotch stitch to the top of the waistband.
- This is your back rise measurement.
5. How to Measure Jeans Thighs
- Flip the jeans back over and smooth them out.
- Measure from the inside of the crotch to the outside of the leg.
- This is your thigh measurement.
If your needing to take the thigh measurement from your body, use our How to Measure Thighs guide.
6. How to Measure Jeans Knee
- Keep the jeans in the same flat position, smoothing out one leg.
- Measure 13 inches down from the inside of the crotch on one side.
- Make a mark with chalk 13 inches down the pant leg.
- Measure the width of the knee at that mark.
- This is your knee measurement.
7. How to Measure Jeans Hem Width
- Keep the jeans pant leg flat.
- Go to the bottom of the pant leg, the “hem.”
- Measure from one side to the other.
- This is the hem measurement.
8. How to Measure Jeans Inseam
- Keep jeans in the same position
- Place tape inside the crotch.
- Measure all the down to the end of the leg.
- This is the inseam measurement.
Read our guide on How to Measure Your Inseam on Jeans and How to Measure Outseam for more insight.
How To Measure Jeans FAQ
32×32 means the jeans you are looking at are 32 inches round at the waist an have a 32 inch inseam (down the leg.)
A 34 inch waist on men is usually a size medium. However all jean brands vary their sizing chart, so you will want to double check with them before buying.
Jeans measurements are calculated in inches, for example 36×32. The first number indicates the waist size and the second indicates the inside leg length (inseam). To measure your waist size you want to hold your measuring tape just under your navel and go all the way around your body. To measure your jeans inseam start inside the crotch on one leg and go down to the pant cuff.
