How to Measure Waist for Pants (Women)

Instructions

It is a common misunderstanding to believe that all you need to do to select a pair of pants that will fit is to know your waist size. There are three places where pants must be measured, each impacting how well the pants fit. If you follow these instructions, you won't need to try on every pair of pants in the store and can locate the right size pants the first time.

To get the perfect measurement every time, you will need a flexible measuring tape that measures in inches and follow the correct measurement guidelines. Take the flexible measuring tape with you when shopping for pants; you will find shopping for pants something to look forward to and a lot easier.

Step 1: Measure the Rise of the Pants

If you want the pants to be comfy, you must get the rise length just right. If the rise is too long, the pants' waist portion will sit too high and appear odd and uncomfortable.

If the rise is too short, you will continually have to pull up your pants, which will be unpleasant. The length of the rise determines the length from your crotch to your waist, and if you buy hipster pants, they will be shorter than standard pants.

Measuring the rise portion of the pants is easy using only a tape measure. Take the measuring tape and place the start of the measuring tape on the waistband right above the zipper. Hold the measuring tape in one hand on the waistband and pull the measuring tape down to the crotch seam. The distance measured is the rise length and is a very important measurement.

Step 2: Determining Your Waistline Position

Before measuring your waistline, you first need to know where your waistline begins. If you measure the wrong portion of your waist, the pants will either be too big or too small and uncomfortable. The waste line holds the pants up and needs to be precise if you want your pants to fit correctly.

You will need an eye makeup pencil and measuring tape to get the perfect spot for your waistline. You can do this portion of the measuring, but it is much easier if you have someone to assist you.

It is important when you measure your waistline that you do not measure it over your clothes. You must measure tape-to-skin because the material will add to the length, and your pants will end up too big.

Take the measuring tape, place the zero mark on your belly button, and let the measuring tape hang to the ground. Measure four inches down, take the makeup pencil, and make a mark on your skin; don't worry, the makeup pencil washes off easily. This mark indicates where your pant's waistband needs to be, and you will use it to easily measure your waist.

Step 3: Measuring Your Waste With Measuring Tape

With the mark visible that you made on your tummy, take the measuring tape and place the zero mark of the tape on the pencil line you drew. Take the measuring tape and incircle it around your waist evenly in line with the pencil mark.

Please ensure that you wrap it evenly around your waist to avoid the wrong measurement, and if someone can assist you, it will be much easier and more accurate.

Your waist size is measured from the start of the measuring tape to where the measuring tape meets up again. Now memorize how many inches it is around your waist, and you will know what waist size your pants must be.

Step 4: Measuring the Length of Your Pants

With your pants' rise and waist measured, all you need is to ensure that the length of the pants is correct. Pants can fit beautifully around your waist, but if the pants are too long or too short, the pants will not fit comfortably.

To get the length of your pants, you need to measure the inseam. Take the measuring tape and place the zero mark of the tape on the crotch seam. Holding the tape on the crotch seam with one hand, pull the measuring tape down to the hem to get the length for your pants. 

When you see pants at the store you like, lay them on a table or hang them on a hanger. Take the measuring tape and measure the width of the pants. For the measurement from left to right on the waistband, you multiply by two, which is the pants' waist size; for example, if you measure 15 inches, you multiply it by two, making the waist size 30 inches.

Now that you have the waste measured, take the measuring tape to measure the rise and see if it is the right size. Lastly, measure the inseam to see if the pants are the right length, and you are done. With all the measurements going shopping for new pants are fun and hassle-free. Using this method to check the size of the pants before you buy it will make finding the best fit easy and fun.

No more going to the fitting room with lots of pants and fitting each one until you get one that fits perfectly. Measure the pants on the shelf and confidently take them home to enjoy wearing.