For bust, waist, and hips, wrap a level tape on bare skin at the fullest bust, natural waist, and widest hips, then note inches or cm.
Fit starts with clean numbers. This guide lays out clear steps, exact landmarks, and simple checks so your next pattern, dress, or jeans sit right. You only need a soft tape, a mirror, and five steady minutes.
How to Measure Bust, Waist, and Hips — Illustrated Steps
If you came to learn how to measure bust, waist, and hips for sewing or shopping, you’re in the right place. The steps below give repeatable results at home.
Tools And Setup
Use a flexible tape, a full-length mirror, a pencil, and a notepad. Wear thin underwear or a snug top. Stand tall with feet hip-width apart. Breathe out normally; don’t hold air or suck in the stomach.
Body Landmarks At A Glance
Check these exact points before you start. Keep the tape level to the floor all around the body.
| Area | Landmarks | Tape Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Bust | Across the fullest part over the nipples; tape passes under the shoulder blades | Lift arms, set the tape, lower arms, then check it stays level |
| High Bust | Above the bust, under the arms, across the upper chest | Useful for pattern sizing and full-bust adjustments |
| Underbust | Right under the breast fold | Handy for bra bands and fitted bodices |
| Waist | The narrowest spot; it lines up near the belly button on many bodies | Find it by side-bending; the crease is your guide |
| High Waist | Two fingers above the natural waist | Used by some brands for high-rise styles |
| Hips | The fullest point across seat and low belly | Slide the tape up and down to find the max number |
| Low Hips | About 7–9 inches below the waist, across the widest part of the seat | Helpful for low-rise bottoms and skirts |
Measuring Bust, Waist, And Hips At Home: Step-By-Step
Bust Measurement
Stand tall. Wrap the tape around the chest at nipple level and across the shoulder blades. Keep the tape snug, not tight. Look in the mirror to see if the tape rides up in back. Record to the nearest quarter inch or half centimeter.
Common Bust Pitfalls
- Padded bras add inches. Measure with the bra you plan to wear with the garment.
- Slipping tape lifts in back. Check level lines in the mirror.
- Arms overhead stretch the chest. Set the tape, lower arms, then read.
Waist Measurement
Find your natural waist by side-bending. Mark the crease. Wrap the tape around that level, crossing the navel line. Relax your belly and exhale. Pull the tape until it kisses the skin without pressing in.
Why Waist Location Matters
Brands place rises at different heights. Locking the true waist gives a fixed reference so mid-rise, high-rise, and vintage cuts can be compared. For health uses, many protocols define waist at the midpoint between the lowest rib and the top of the iliac crest. The CDC anthropometry guide details that method for consistent results in studies.
Hip Measurement
Stand with feet together. Wrap the tape around the fullest area that spans the seat and low belly. Slide the tape up and down to find the largest reading. Keep the tape level. Record the highest number you see.
Help For Curvy Or Athletic Shapes
Some bodies gain inches at low hips or upper hip shelves. If your seat or thighs add girth below the standard hip line, take a second pass 2 inches lower and save both numbers. Tailors and pattern makers use the larger value when ease is limited.
Fit Uses For Your Numbers
Once you have bust, waist, and hips, you can pick a base size, set ease, and plan tweaks. Sewists match the key spot that matters to the garment: bust for tops, hips for skirts and pants. Shoppers compare brand charts but trust body data first.
Choosing A Base Size
Match the primary body area to the chart. If your bust lands in one size and hips in another, start with the larger area, then tailor the other. Many patterns include finished garment measures; aim for the right ease for the fabric and cut.
Reading Brand Charts With Care
Charts vary. Some list body measures, others list finished garment measures. Read labels on each table. If a chart shows body measures, add the ease from the notes below. If it shows finished measures, compare them straight to your numbers.
When Sizes Don’t Agree
Between sizes is common. Pick the option that matches the spot that matters most, then plan a tweak. For pants, match hips and adjust the waist. For tops, match bust and shape the waist and hip seams.
Checkpoints Before You Cut Or Buy
- Review rise and inseam on pants against your body data.
- Confirm finished bust on tops, jackets, and dresses.
- Scan notes on stretch, shrinkage, and fabric weight.
Pro Tips For Reliable Measuring
Keep The Tape Level
Use a mirror or ask a friend. A tilted tape trims or adds inches. Sticky notes on the side seams make quick reference marks.
Measure Twice
Take a second pass and average the two reads. Jot both sets in your log. If they differ, take a third read and pick the most frequent number.
Record Waist And Hip Height
Add vertical data to your log: waist height above the floor, and hip height from the waist. A tailor’s ruler makes this quick. These numbers help place darts, rises, and pocket entries.
Note Posture And Habits
Flat feet, arch supports, or a purse on one shoulder can shift tape paths. Stand as you stand day to day. If you wear shaping layers with a garment, measure over that layer too.
When You Need Clinic-Level Consistency
Some readers track waist size for health. Research groups use fixed points so numbers match across visits. The WHO waist and hip protocol outlines landmark rules and repeat steps used in clinics. You can borrow the same spots at home to stay consistent month to month.
Make Your Log Work For You
Keep a simple sheet with dates, bust, waist, hips, and notes on the bra or layers used. Store key brand sizes that fit and the ease that felt best. Snap a phone photo of your log so it’s always handy while shopping.
Quick Math: Inches And Centimeters
Multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters. Divide centimeters by 2.54 to get inches. Round to one decimal for charts, and keep the raw reads in your notebook.
Try A Fit Dress Rehearsal
Before cutting fine fabric, pin or baste a test piece. Check bust strain lines, waist placement, and hip glide when you sit and walk. Update your log with any tweaks that solved trouble spots.
Ease Targets For Common Garments
Ease is the space between the body and the garment. Wovens need more ease than knits. The table below lists ranges that feel balanced for many bodies and styles.
| Garment Type | Bust Ease | Hip Ease |
|---|---|---|
| Close Knit Tee | 0 to 2 in (0–5 cm) | 0 to 2 in (0–5 cm) |
| Fitted Woven Top | 1 to 3 in (2.5–7.5 cm) | — |
| Button Shirt | 2 to 4 in (5–10 cm) | — |
| Pencil Skirt | — | 1 to 3 in (2.5–7.5 cm) |
| A-Line Skirt | — | 2 to 4 in (5–10 cm) |
| Slim Pants | — | 1 to 2 in (2.5–5 cm) |
| Relaxed Pants | — | 2 to 4 in (5–10 cm) |
| Coat/Jacket | 3 to 6 in (7.5–15 cm) | 3 to 6 in (7.5–15 cm) |
Special Notes For Different Bodies
Full Bust Adjustments
If high bust and full bust differ by more than 2 inches, pick size by high bust to get the shoulder fit, then add bust shaping. This avoids gaping armholes and tight shoulder seams.
Straight Or Narrow Hips
When hips measure close to waist, skirts may twist or ride up. Add hip ease or pick cuts with darts and shaping through the seat.
Seat With Depth
Round seats need more back rise. If pants pull across the seat even when hip girth matches, add back rise or choose styles with back darts and yokes.
Care For Your Tape And Notes
Hang the tape rather than folding it into hard creases. Replace a stretched or nicked tape. Date each log entry and note the bra type or layers so future reads match the same setup.
Your Measurements, Your Fit
With a soft tape, a mirror, and a few minutes of focus, you can collect the numbers that steer size choices, pattern tweaks, and brand picks. The aim of how to measure bust, waist, and hips is simple: clear steps, clean reads, and clothes that feel like they were made for you.