Q&A for How to Measure Leg Length

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.

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.

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.

Having 1 leg that's shorter than the other can be caused by many different things, such as an injury or a bone malformation. Most commonly, a shorter leg is called a structural discrepancy and occurs because 1 femur (thigh bone) or 1 tibia (shin bone) is shorter in one leg than it is in the other. Usually, you're born with a structural discrepancy, but it can also occur during your childhood as you grow and develop. If you're concerned about having 1 leg that's shorter than the other, talk to your doctor about it. They may recommend shoe inserts or specialized shoes to help you feel more balanced.