How to Measure Leg Length at Home

Plus, a step-by-step guide to measuring your true leg length

Whether you’re finding your pants size, looking for a new bicycle, or checking for a leg length discrepancy, it’s useful to know how to measure your leg length accurately. Measuring your inseam for a pair of pants or a bicycle is different than finding your true leg length, which is used to find discrepancies between the lengths of your legs. This article covers both methods, along with a quick and easy way to measure your inseam using your favorite pants. Plus, we spoke with professional tailors David Pew and Andrea Beaulieu to get their expert tips on accurately measuring your body for clothing.

How to Measure Your Legs for Pants

While wearing tight pants and no shoes, place a book between your legs at crotch height. Use a measuring tape to find the distance from the floor to the top edge of the book to get an inseam measurement for finding your pants length or bike size.

Section 1 of 4:

Measuring Your Inseam Leg Length

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  1. This ensures a more accurate height measurement. You can take your inseam measurement in socks or bare feet. Bicycle shorts, leggings, or close-fitting athletic pants are best for an accurate measurement.
    • If you don’t have tighter pants, loose pants are okay if they don’t have extra material in the crotch area.
    • Use this method to measure your inseam for a bike or a pair of pants.
  2. Slouching affects the accuracy of your measurement. [1] Try to stand as tall as you can without arching your back. It may help to standing against a wall if you have trouble keeping your back and shoulders straight.
    • If you usually wear high heels, measure your inseam with your heels on to get the perfect length.
    • Just remember, if you wear the pants with lower shoes, the inseam may be longer than you like.
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  3. Hold it firmly between your legs at crotch height without clenching it tightly. Clenching your reference item too tightly will affect your posture and give you a bad measurement. [2]
    • A tall, thin book, a level, a ruler, or a large filing folder would all work well to help you get the measurement.
    • In addition to providing a reference point, this object also mimics the position and height of your bike seat. [3]
  4. To find your pants inseam, measure from the point where the crotch of your pants sits comfortably down to the sole of your shoe, says Pew. [4] Retake the same measurement 2-3 times and find the average to double (or triple) check you are getting the right length. [5]
    • Remember to measure in inches for American sizing and centimeters for European clothing sizes.
    • Use centimeters for a more precise measurement for bikes. [6]
    • A rigid measuring tape is best for measuring your inseam. Try to get one with an outer casing. The weight and stiffness help you get a more accurate measurement.
    • Write down your measurement. Then, reference it when looking at pants sizes or bicycle size charts.
    • Bicycle inseam measurements differ based on the style of bike you want. Your base measurement will help you find the bike that is the correct size for you. [7]
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Section 2 of 4:

Using Pants to Measure the Inseam

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  1. If you have a pair of pants that fits you well, it’s easy to find your inseam. Just smooth them out on a flat table so there are no bumps or wrinkles in the fabric, says Beaulieu. [8]
    • Choose a type of pants similar to the ones you want to buy for the best results. For example, if you’re shopping for jeans, measure the inseam on a pair of jeans .
    • Only use this method to measure pants size. It’s not accurate for choosing a bicycle.
  2. Place the end of a flexible measuring tape where the crotch seam meets the inseam. Run the tape along the inseam of the pants to the hem at the bottom of the leg, Beaulieu suggests. [9]
    • The inseam of a pair of pants is the seam that runs down the inside of your leg when you're standing.
    • Don’t forget to write the measurement down so you have it handy for comparing with size charts.
    EXPERT TIP

    Mia Danilowicz

    Master Tailor
    Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor

    Use a piece of string or ribbon if you don't have a flexible measuring tape. A rigid measuring tape from a toolbox doesn't work well for measuring around the human body. Just wrap a string or ribbon around the body part you want to measure. Mark it and then measure it with the rigid measuring tape.

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Section 3 of 4:

Taking Additional Pants Measurements

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  1. To get your outseam, measure from the top of your waistband along the side of your pants. Go all the way down to the sole of your shoe. If you're not wearing shoes, measure to the bottom of your foot, Pew recommends. [10]
  2. Your natural waist is usually where your body creases when you bend to the side like a teapot. [12] As you wrap the tape around your waist, make sure to keep it parallel to the floor and comfortably loose. Breathe normally, and don’t suck in your stomach.
    • If you hold your breath or suck in your stomach, it throws your measurements off, and your clothing won’t be comfortable.
    • When measuring your waist , check the tape isn’t pulled too tight by slipping 2 fingers under it.
    • Pinch the tape where it overlaps without slouching or looking down. Record this number as your waist measurement.
  3. The hip measurement measures the widest part of your lower torso, usually located about 7 to 9 in (18 to 23 cm) below your natural waist. Wrap the measuring tape all the way around your hips in this spot for an accurate measurement. Beaulieu says, “This is different for every person, and it may take a couple of tries to find the right placement for the measuring tape.” [13]
    • Don’t measure in line with where you can feel your hip bones at the front of your body. This part of your body is typically narrower than your buttocks.
  4. To measure your thigh , stand with your legs straight. Find the thickest part of your upper thigh, right under the buttocks. Place the end of the measuring tape at the front of your thigh and wrap it around your leg, staying parallel to the floor. Mark the number at the point where the tape measure crosses over itself. [14]
    • The thickest part of your thigh is usually about 1½ - 2 in (4 - 5 cm) below your crotch.
  5. While wearing a pair of pants that fit you well, place the end of the measuring tape at the crotch seam. Then, run the tape straight up to the top of the front center hem of your waist. [15]
    • Make sure you measure to the top of your waistband, or the front rise measurement may end up lower than you like.
    • Remember to stand up as straight as possible when you take this measurement.
  6. Stand up straight. Place the end of the measuring tape at the crotch seam. Then, run the tape straight up over your buttocks to the top of the center back waistband. Pinch the place on the tape at the top of your waistband to make it easier to read the measurement . [16]
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Section 4 of 4:

Measuring True Leg Length

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  1. Lie flat on your back with your legs long and your feet spread hip-width apart. Keep your legs relaxed and straight.
    • Getting an accurate measurement for your true leg length is very difficult. Asking a friend to help gives you much better results.
    • This method doesn’t give you an accurate inseam measurement for pants or a bike.
  2. Find the bony joint where your hip meets your leg. This is called your anterior superior iliac spine or ASIS. Measure from this point to the bony joint of your ankle. Repeat on both sides and write down your results. [17]
  3. Some difference in leg length is normal. No one has perfectly symmetrical legs, but a difference of more than 10 mm (0.39 in) may cause lower back pain, hip pain, and other problems. [18]
    • Remember that measuring with a tape measure is not always accurate and doesn’t replace an official diagnosis.
    • If you find a significant difference in the lengths between your legs, follow up with a clinician for further diagnosis.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you measure your legs for pants?
    David Pew
    Professional Tailor
    David Pew is a Professional Tailor and the Owner of Sew Generously based in Seattle, Washington. With over a decade of experience, David specializes in bespoke tailoring and alterations. He uses his experiences, skills, and eye for detail to produce the highest quality of products.
    David Pew
    Professional Tailor
    Expert Answer
    You'll need to measure your inseam and outseam to make the garment properly. The inseam is measured right from the crotch where the pants will be comfortable—that's based on customer preference—down to the bottom of the foot. If you're wearing shoes, it would be down to the top of the sole of your shoe. To take the outseam, it should go from the top of the waistband down to the top of the sole of the shoe or the bottom of the foot.
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  • Question
    How do you measure leg length for trousers?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    For pants and trousers, you'll want to measure the inseam so you can choose a pair that fits you well. Take off your shoes and put on a pair of tight-fitting pants that fit you. Place a flat object between your legs at crotch height like a tall, thin book, a level, or a ruler to use as a reference. Then, use a tape measure to measure form the floor to the top of your reference object. You can use your inseam measurement to help you choose trousers with the right leg length for you.
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  • Question
    Are your legs half your height?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    The short answer is: not necessarily. For many people, your legs can make up half of your adult height. However, there are many differences between individuals. Lots of people have a higher leg-to-body ratio. For instance, women tend to have legs longer than half of their height. So you shouldn't assume your legs are half your height.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/s4wasEs0-m4?t=5
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZtk4ZRF92w&feature=youtu.be&t=57
      3. ↑ https://www.ebicycles.com/article/bicycle-frame-size-charts.html
      4. ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview. 5 January 2021.
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/tZtk4ZRF92w?t=137
      6. ↑ https://www.ebicycles.com/article/bicycle-frame-size-charts.html
      7. ↑ https://www.bicycle-guider.com/bike-articles/bike-size-chart/
      8. ↑ Andrea Beaulieu. Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer. Expert Interview. 8 May 2020.
      9. ↑ Andrea Beaulieu. Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer. Expert Interview. 8 May 2020.
      1. ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview. 5 January 2021.
      2. ↑ David Pew. Professional Tailor. Expert Interview. 5 January 2021.
      3. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/how-to-measure-waist-size-8677792
      4. ↑ Andrea Beaulieu. Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer. Expert Interview. 8 May 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.patternadventure.com/en/ask-tailor-birgit/how-to-take-your-measurements
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/dxIRirluipg?t=24
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/dxIRirluipg?t=32
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo87BX7QUhA&feature=youtu.be&t=55
      9. ↑ https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_leg-length-discrepancy.asp

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