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Clothing Size Chart
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Step-by-step guide

How to measure

Every measurement you need for clothes, shoes and bras – each with an illustration, steps for measuring alone and with a helper, the most common mistakes and a pro tip.

Who are you measuring?
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Before you start: six ground rules

This takes one minute and decides whether your numbers are accurate to the centimeter.

  • A flexible tape measureA soft dressmaker's tape measure made of plastic or cloth - not a steel retractable tape and not a folding ruler for circumferences.
  • As little clothing as possibleMeasure in underwear or thin, close-fitting clothes. Every sweater adds several centimeters (an inch or more) to a circumference.
  • A mirror nearbyWhen you measure on your own, use a mirror to check that the tape runs level across your back.
  • Stand relaxedStand upright, feet hip-width apart, arms hanging loosely. Do not suck in your stomach and do not push your chest out.
  • Breathe out normallyRead circumferences at the end of a normal breath out - never while holding your breath.
  • Measure twiceTake every measurement twice. If the two values differ, measure a third time and write down the middle value.

Height

For: Kids' sizes, short and tall sizes, jeans length

For children, height determines the clothing size directly. For adults it decides whether regular, short or tall sizes fit best.

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. Take off your shoes and thick socks, and undo any ponytail or bun.
  2. Stand with your back against a smooth wall with no baseboard. Heels, bottom, shoulder blades and the back of your head touch the wall.
  3. Look straight ahead so your chin is level - not tilted up or down.
  4. Lay a book or cutting board flat on your head and press it against the wall at a right angle.
  5. Mark the lower edge with a pencil or a sticky note, step away, and measure from the floor to the mark.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. The person stands barefoot against the wall with heels together: heels, bottom, shoulder blades and the back of the head touch the wall.
  2. Stand to one side and check at eye level that they are looking straight ahead and are not lifting their chin.
  3. Place a book or a square level on the crown of the head and press the hair down gently.
  4. Mark the lower edge on the wall, ask them to step away, and measure from the floor to the mark.
  5. Write the value down to the nearest half centimeter (about ¼ in).

Common mistakes

  • Measuring with shoes, thick socks or a hairdo in the way
  • Chin lifted - that adds up to 2 cm (¾ in)
  • Tape sagging instead of running straight along the wall

Pro tip: In the morning you are up to 2 cm (¾ in) taller than in the evening, because your spinal discs compress during the day. That does not matter for clothing sizes - but it does when you compare with earlier measurements.

Neck circumference

For: Collar size of shirts and blouses

Your collar size comes from your neck circumference. The calculator automatically adds the usual ease of about 1 cm (⅜ in).

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. Stand upright in front of a mirror, shoulders relaxed, looking straight ahead.
  2. Put the tape around your neck - just below the Adam's apple, where a shirt collar will sit.
  3. The tape touches all the way around but does not dig in. At the back it runs slightly higher than at the front, along the collar line.
  4. Read the value in the mirror without tilting your head down.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. Stand in front of the person. Ask them to hold their head straight and look ahead.
  2. Run the tape around the neck just below the Adam's apple, following the collar line at the back.
  3. Slide one finger under the tape to make sure it does not dig in - then pull it out again before you read the value.
  4. Read the value at the front and write it down to the nearest half centimeter (about ¼ in).

Common mistakes

  • Head tilted down while reading - the value comes out too small
  • Measuring above the Adam's apple instead of below it
  • Tape too loose, so a finger's width gets measured along with the neck

Pro tip: No tape measure? Lay a well-fitting shirt down flat and measure the open collar from the center of the button to the far end of the buttonhole. That is your collar size.

Shoulder width

For: Suit jackets, blazers, coats and shirts

Shoulder width decides whether a jacket or blazer fits - and it is the one thing a tailor can barely change afterwards.

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. On your own, shoulder width is almost impossible to measure accurately on the body. Use a well-fitting shirt or jacket instead.
  2. Lay the garment face down on a table and smooth it out flat.
  3. Measure straight across from one shoulder seam (where the sleeve is sewn on) to the other.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. Stand behind the person. They stand upright with their arms hanging loosely.
  2. Feel for the outer shoulder bone on both sides - the point where the shoulder meets the upper arm.
  3. Run the tape from one shoulder bone across the back, just below the nape, to the other.
  4. The tape rests on the body but does not follow every curve - measure the straight distance.

Common mistakes

  • Measuring to the upper arm instead of to the shoulder bone
  • Shoulders hunched up or rolled forward
  • Measuring across the front instead of across the back

Pro tip: Sloping and broad shoulders show up clearly from the side: if a jacket's shoulder seam sits right over the bone, the size is correct.

Bust / chest

For: Tops, dresses, jackets, suit jackets and bra cup

The bust or chest measurement is the most important one for every top. For women, measure at the fullest part of the bust; for men, at the widest part of the torso under the arms.

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. Measure in an unpadded bra or a thin shirt. Stand sideways to the mirror.
  2. Raise your arms slightly and put the tape around your torso - for women over the fullest part of the bust, for men directly under the arms and across the shoulder blades.
  3. Let your arms drop and relax. Check in the mirror that the tape runs level across your back and does not slip down.
  4. The tape rests loosely without digging in. Breathe out normally and read the value at the front.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. Ask them to raise their arms out to the side for a moment, and run the tape around the torso.
  2. Position the tape at the fullest part of the bust (for men directly under the arms) and ask them to lower their arms.
  3. Walk around them once, or check from the side: the tape has to sit at the same height in back as in front.
  4. Ask them to breathe out normally - no deep breath, no chest pushed out. Read the value at the front.

Common mistakes

  • Tape slipping down at the back - the value comes out too small
  • Breathing in deeply or pushing the chest out
  • Measuring over a padded bra or a thick sweater

Pro tip: For suit jackets and suits, men convert the chest measurement into inches: 100 cm / 2.54 is about 39.4 - which matches UK/US size 40 and German size 50.

Underbust

For: Band size of your bra size

The underbust measurement gives you the number in your bra size (for example 75, or 34 in US sizing). Together with the bust measurement, the calculator works out the cup from it.

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. Measure without a bra, or in an unpadded one, in front of the mirror.
  2. Put the tape around your torso directly below the bust - exactly where the band of a bra sits.
  3. Pull the tape tight so it sits firmly, but not so tight that it hurts.
  4. Check in the mirror that it runs level. Breathe out normally and read the value.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. The person stands upright with their arms hanging loosely.
  2. Run the tape around the ribcage directly under the bust - ask them to lift the bust briefly if that helps.
  3. Pull the tape tight and check from the side that it sits at the same height all the way around.
  4. Read the value as they breathe out normally. Ask whether the tape feels comfortably firm.

Common mistakes

  • Tape too loose - the band will end up too wide
  • Tape sitting higher in back than in front
  • Measuring with your breath held

Pro tip: If your value falls right between two band sizes, try both sister sizes - for example 75C and 80B. The band should sit firmly on the middle hook.

Waist

For: Pants, skirts, dresses, suits and jeans waist

The waist is the narrowest part of your torso - usually two or three finger widths above the navel.

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. Stand in front of the mirror in your underwear.
  2. Find your waist: bend your upper body slightly to one side. The crease that forms marks your natural waist.
  3. Put the tape level around that spot. It touches the body but does not dig in.
  4. Do not suck in your stomach! Breathe out normally and read the value.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. The person stands relaxed with their feet together, with their top pulled up or taken off.
  2. Look for the narrowest point between the ribcage and the hip bone - usually a little above the navel.
  3. Run the tape around level and check the height at the back.
  4. Ask them to breathe normally and not to suck in their stomach. Read the value after they breathe out.

Common mistakes

  • Stomach sucked in - the pants will pinch later
  • Measuring over the waistband or belt
  • Mistaking the waist for the hips

Pro tip: For jeans, what counts is where the waistband actually sits. If you like to wear pants lower, take a second measurement at that spot - the circumference there is usually larger.

Hips

For: Pants, skirts, dresses and swimsuits

The hip measurement is taken at the fullest part of the seat and hips, roughly 20 cm (8 in) below the waist.

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. Stand sideways in front of the mirror with your feet together.
  2. Put the tape around the widest part of your seat. Slide it up and down a little until you get the largest value.
  3. Check in the mirror: the tape runs level and rests loosely.
  4. Read the value at the front.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. The person stands upright with their feet together, weight on both legs.
  2. Kneel or crouch beside them so the tape is at your eye level.
  3. Run the tape around the fullest part of the seat and hips and shift it slightly until you reach the largest circumference.
  4. Check that it sits at the same height front and back, then read the value.

Common mistakes

  • Feet shoulder-width apart instead of together - the value comes out too large
  • Tape too low at the back, over the thighs
  • Measuring with a wallet or phone in the pocket

Pro tip: If your hip and waist sizes are far apart, look for brands with curvy fits - they are cut more generously through the hips.

Arm length

For: Sleeve length of shirts, jackets and coats

Arm length tells you whether regular sizes will do, or whether extra-long or extra-short sleeves fit you better.

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. On your own the result will be inaccurate. Measure a well-fitting shirt instead: lay the sleeve out flat.
  2. Measure from the shoulder seam along the top of the sleeve to the end of the cuff.
  3. Compare the value with the sleeve length in the manufacturer's size chart.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. The person stands upright and bends the arm slightly, with the hand resting loosely on the hip.
  2. Start the tape at the outer shoulder bone.
  3. Run it over the elbow to the wrist bone - that is where a shirt cuff ends.
  4. Measure both arms and use the longer value.

Common mistakes

  • Arm held straight instead of slightly bent - the sleeve ends up too short when you move
  • Measuring to the thumb instead of to the wrist

Pro tip: US shirts often list a "sleeve length": it is measured from the center of the back neck across the shoulder to the wrist, so it is considerably longer than the European arm length.

Inseam

For: Pants length and jeans length (L)

The inseam runs from the crotch to the floor and sets the length L on a pair of jeans.

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. Stand barefoot with your back against a wall, feet about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
  2. Hold a book spine-up between your legs and slide it up level until it reaches your crotch.
  3. Mark the top edge of the book on the wall.
  4. Measure from the floor to the mark - that is your inseam.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. The person stands barefoot and upright, feet about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
  2. Ask them to hold the end of the tape at the crotch themselves - that is more comfortable for both of you.
  3. Run the tape straight down the inside of the leg to the floor.
  4. Read the value at the floor. Make sure the tape does not follow the knee but runs straight.

Common mistakes

  • Measuring with shoes on
  • Tape not started right up in the crotch - the pants end up too short

Pro tip: Alternatively, measure a pair of pants with the perfect length: the inside seam from the crotch point to the hem. That way your preferred length is already built in.

Foot length

For: Shoe sizes in EU, UK and US

Foot length in centimeters is the most reliable route to the right shoe size - whatever the brand or the country.

🙋 Measuring yourself

  1. Measure in the evening, wearing the socks you will wear in the shoe.
  2. Put a sheet of paper on a hard floor with the short edge right against a wall.
  3. Stand with your heel against the wall, weight spread evenly on both legs.
  4. Hold a pen upright and mark the tip of your longest toe. Sitting down makes this easier - but still put weight on the foot.
  5. Measure from the edge of the paper to the mark. Repeat with the other foot and use the larger value.

🤝 Measuring someone else

  1. The person stands with their heel against the wall on a sheet of paper, weight on both feet.
  2. Kneel in front of them and hold the pen exactly upright in front of the longest toe.
  3. Make sure the toes are not curled under and the heel is touching the wall.
  4. Measure the distance from the wall to the mark, then do the second foot.

Common mistakes

  • Measuring in the morning - feet are larger in the evening
  • Pen held at an angle, so the mark lands too far forward
  • Measuring only one foot

Pro tip: Trace around the whole foot with the pen as well. At the widest point (the ball) you can see whether you need a narrow or a wide shoe width.

Measuring babies and children

Children rarely stand still – these tricks help. For kids' clothes, height is usually all you need: it is the size itself in European sizing.

Measure babies lying down

Lay the baby on a firm surface with the head against a wall or a board. Have a second person hold the head gently while you carefully straighten the legs and measure to the sole of the foot, held upright.

Make it a game for toddlers

Turn it into a game: "Who can stand straightest against the wall?" A sticker on the wall to look at helps them keep their head straight.

Circumferences only when needed

For kids' clothing, height is usually enough. You only need chest and waist measurements for very slim or sturdy children.

Repeat regularly

Measure babies about every four to six weeks and toddlers about every three months - and mark the values on the door frame as a keepsake.

No tape measure at hand?

Here is how to measure with things you already have at home.

String or a charging cable

Wrap a piece of string, a cable or a strip of paper around the spot you want to measure, mark the point with your fingers, and then measure the length against a ruler or folding ruler.

A sheet of paper

A DIN A4 sheet is exactly 29.7 cm (11.7 in) long and 21 cm (8.3 in) wide - handy as a reference when there is no ruler around. US Letter paper is 11 in (27.9 cm) long and 8.5 in (21.6 cm) wide.

A bank card

Bank cards and ID cards are 8.56 cm (3.37 in) wide. Lined up end to end, they make a usable measuring scale.

Measure a garment

Lay a well-fitting garment out flat, measure from seam to seam, and double the value to get the circumference.

Your measurement log

Enter your numbers and your sizes appear right away. The measurements stay in your browser on this device only. Print the page to take them with you.

Measurement log – Clothing Size Chart – measured on: ____________

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Your sizes at a glance

The overview shows women's and men's sizes side by side – use whichever applies to you. Leave out measurements that do not apply (for example underbust for men).

Frequently asked questions about measuring

Which measurements do I need for my clothing size?

For most garments, bust/chest, waist and hips are enough. Add the neck for shirts, the inseam for jeans, the foot length for shoes, and height for children.

Do I measure the body or the clothes?

Size charts almost always refer to body measurements. Measurements taken on a garment are larger, because they include room to move. The exception: some shops explicitly list garment measurements - in that case, compare them with a well-fitting item of your own.

How tight should the tape measure be?

For circumferences the tape should touch the body but not dig in. Only the underbust measurement for bras is deliberately taken tight.

Can I measure myself accurately on my own?

Yes - with a mirror, the bust, waist, hip and neck measurements work well on your own. Shoulder width, arm length and height come out far more accurately with a second person.

Where exactly is the waist?

The natural waist is the narrowest part of your torso, usually two or three finger widths above the navel. Bend to one side - the crease that forms shows you where it is.

When should I measure my feet?

Ideally in the evening, because feet get slightly larger over the course of the day. Measure both feet and go by the longer one.

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