3 Ways To Measure Your Inseam - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Take an Inseam Measurement PDF download Download Article Simple steps to measure the length of your inseam at home Co-authored by Andrea Beaulieu and Aimee Payne, MFA

Last Updated: October 25, 2025 Fact Checked

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  • Measuring a Pair of Your Pants
    • |
  • Having Someone Measure Your Inseam
    • |
  • Measuring Your Own Inseam
    • |
  • Video
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  • Expert Q&A
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  • Tips
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This article was co-authored by Andrea Beaulieu and by wikiHow staff writer, Aimee Payne, MFA. Andrea Beaulieu is a Professional Tailor, Fashion Designer, and the Owner of MOORE, a Brooklyn, New York based storefront and apparel workshop for gender-neutral, contemporary streetwear as well as custom-tailored products. Andrea has over 20 years in the fashion design and marketing industries and specializes in pattern making, draping, and the construction of garments. She holds a BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 2,160,760 times.

A well-fitting pair of pants that are the perfect length for your height is a great way to upgrade your style. Taking an accurate inseam measurement is key to finding the best fit. Your inseam runs from the crotch of your pants down to the hem at the bottom of the pant leg. We spoke with Professional Tailor and Fashion Designer Andrea Beaulieu and Professional Stylist Joanne Gruber to understand how to take an exact inseam measurement. Read on to learn more about how to measure your inseam yourself or with help from a friend.

How do you measure inseam?

Lay a pair of well-fitting pants on a flat surface, smoothing out any wrinkles as you go. Use a measuring tape to measure along the inside of the leg. Hold one end of the measuring tape at the bottom of the crotch area and the other at the bottom hem of the pant leg.[1]

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Measuring a Pair of Your Pants

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  1. Step 1 Lay a pair of well-fitting pants out on a flat surface. 1 Lay a pair of well-fitting pants out on a flat surface. If you’re happy with how your pants fit, it’s easy to find your inseam based on pants you already own, says Beaulieu.[2] Smooth the pants out so they’re flat with no bumps or wrinkles.
    • Make sure you choose a type of pants similar to the ones you want to buy. For example, if you’re shopping for jeans, measure the inseam on a pair of jeans. This gives you a better idea of how the new pants will fit.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Measure Your Inseam 2 Run a measuring tape from the crotch seam to the hem of the pants. Place the end of your measuring tape where the crotch seam meets the inseam. Then measure along the inseam – the seam that runs down the inside of your leg when you're standing – to the hem at the bottom of the pant leg, Beaulieu suggests.[3] This is your inseam measurement.
    • The crotch seam is at the center of the crotch of your pants and meets the inseam in a cross shape.
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  3. Step 3 Write down your inseam measurement to use when shopping for pants. 3 Write down your inseam measurement to use when shopping for pants. Don’t round your inseam up or down. When you go shopping for clothes, use your exact inseam measurement to find new pants that are the perfect length for your body.[4]
    • If you plan on wearing your new pants with high heels, add .5–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) to your inseam measurement.
    • If you’re buying pants in fabrics that shrink, round your inseam measurement up to the nearest .5 inches (1.3 cm).
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Having Someone Measure Your Inseam

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  1. Step 1 Wear a pair of close-fitting pants to make measuring your inseam easier. 1 Wear a pair of close-fitting pants to make measuring your inseam easier. Wear athletic leggings or tight jeans when measuring your pants size. Bulky pants get in the way of taking an accurate inseam measurement.[5]
    • If you don’t have very form-fitting pants, looser pants are all right as long as they don’t have a lot of extra material in the crotch area.
  2. Step 2 Stand straight on bare feet with your back against a wall. 2 Stand straight on bare feet with your back against a wall. Shoes have different heel heights, so an inseam that works for one may be too long for another. Measuring with bare feet lets you get an inseam measurement for your actual height. Standing up straight against a wall helps you maintain good posture and avoid slouching, which throws your inseam measurement off.[6]
    • If you plan on wearing your new pants with high heels, measure your inseam while wearing your heels to get the right length. However, if you wear the pants with different shoes, the inseam may be a little longer or shorter depending on the heel height.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Measure Your Inseam 3 Ask your helper to measure from the crotch seam of your pants to your ankle. The crotch seam is the seam near the crotch of your pants that intersects with the inner leg seam. Place the end of the measuring tape right at the crotch seam and measure along your leg to your ankle bone.[7]
    • Keep your leg straight for the most accurate measurement.
  4. Step 4 Use your inseam measurement to shop for pants. 4 Use your inseam measurement to shop for pants. Write down your exact inseam measurement so you have it when you’re pants shopping. The length of your pants depends on how long or short you like to wear them. When in doubt, measure your inseam to your ankle. Gruber notes, “Most of the jeans we see right now are either ankle length or cropped…but the majority of brands are doing ankle jeans because it fits the majority of women.”[8]
    • Shorten your inseam measurement by about .5–1 inch (1.3–2.5 cm) if you like your pants to hit above the ankle.
    • Also, if the pants are made with a fabric that shrinks in the wash, round your inseam measurement up to the nearest .5 inches (1.3 cm).
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Measuring Your Own Inseam

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  1. Step 1 Stand up straight so your entire body is visible in a mirror. 1 Stand up straight so your entire body is visible in a mirror. Taking your inseam measurement while standing up is tricky because you have to bend over to read the measuring tape. This can throw off the inseam measurement. Use a mirror to help you read the measuring tape while maintaining good posture.[9]
    • Pick a floor-length mirror so you get the best view of your body. If you don’t have a floor-length mirror, use the biggest mirror you have and place it opposite your lower body.
  2. Step 2 Place your measuring tape where your thigh meets your groin. 2 Place your measuring tape where your thigh meets your groin. Put the hand that's holding the tape up against your upper thigh where it meets your crotch. Get as close to your body as possible.[10]
    • Make sure you hold the end of the tape that starts with “1” at your groin area to make it easier to read the measurement.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Measure Your Inseam 3 Run the measuring tape down to your ankle and read the measurement. Slowly unroll the measuring tape, keeping it close to your leg until you reach your desired pant length. Then, stand up straight and check the mirror to make sure you’re happy with where the tape hits your ankle.[11] Read the measurement in the mirror where the tape touches your ankle.
    • If you can’t read the numbers, bend down, keeping your legs as straight as possible, and pinch the tape between your thumb and finger to mark the number. Then lift the tape to read the measurement.
    • Be super careful while you’re doing this. If you accidentally move your fingers in either direction, your inseam measurement could be off.
  4. Step 4 Alternatively, place a book between your legs to take the measurement. 4 Alternatively, place a book between your legs to take the measurement. Gently push a book to between your legs to the top of your inner thigh. Then, hold the book in place and use a rigid measuring tape to measure from the top edge of the book to the floor.[12]
    • Make sure you choose a book long enough to touch the wall behind you.
    • This method is commonly used to measure your inseam for a bicycle, but it doesn’t require a mirror and gives you a general idea of what your pants inseam measurement is.
  5. Step 5 Write down your inseam to use it for shopping. 5 Write down your inseam to use it for shopping. Use the exact measurement rather than rounding up or down. Manufacturers use precise measurements for inseams, so you don’t need to add or subtract length to find the best-fitting pairs of pants.[13]
    • Add .5 to 1 inch (1.3 to 2.5 cm) to your inseam if you plan to wear heels or you’re buying pants that usually shrink. For instance, pants made of cotton, linen, or wool may shrink. Since jeans are often made from cotton, expect them to shrink slightly in the wash.[14]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question How can I measure my inseam if I don't have anyone to help me? Andrea Beaulieu Andrea Beaulieu Professional Tailor Andrea Beaulieu is a Professional Tailor, Fashion Designer, and the Owner of MOORE, a Brooklyn, New York based storefront and apparel workshop for gender-neutral, contemporary streetwear as well as custom-tailored products. Andrea has over 20 years in the fashion design and marketing industries and specializes in pattern making, draping, and the construction of garments. She holds a BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Andrea Beaulieu Andrea Beaulieu Professional Tailor Expert Answer Use a pair of pants that fit the way you'd like. Lay them flat, then measure from the center crotch down the pant leg, along the inseam. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 22
  • Question Is the inseam size the same as the length size? Fasehun Yetunde Olatofunmirera Fasehun Yetunde Olatofunmirera Community Answer No. Inseam is the measurement taken from the pubic bone to the ankle, while length size is from the waist to the ankle. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 56
  • Question Which units of measure should I use? Heather Kenyon-Haff Heather Kenyon-Haff Top Answerer Use whichever system is common to where you live. In the US, people generally use inches, but most of the rest of the world uses metric units. If you use the most prevalent units in your country, you stand a really good chance of finding a tailor who also uses those units. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 15 Helpful 32
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Tips

  • Sometimes, pants have the inseam measurement printed on the tag. If your pants do have it, use that measurement to shop for pants in similar styles.[15] Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Try measuring several pairs of your pants to make sure you're getting an accurate reading. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 2
  • If you're getting your pants tailored, ask the tailor if they'll take your measurements. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1
Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/family/parenting/parenting-tips/how-to-measure-man-for-suit.htm
  2. ↑ Andrea Beaulieu. Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ Andrea Beaulieu. Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psngRmJGlKw&feature=youtu.be&t=59
  5. ↑ https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/family/parenting/parenting-tips/how-to-measure-man-for-suit.htm
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4wasEs0-m4&feature=youtu.be&t=3
  7. ↑ https://www.themodestman.com/how-to-measure-inseam/
  8. ↑ Joanne Gruber. Professional Stylist. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/drJ5njTsj7c?t=603
More References (6)
  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/RnpOtJJ6D8Q?t=45
  2. ↑ https://www.irreverentgent.com/how-to-measure-inseam/
  3. ↑ https://youtu.be/4xG6MKepCkk?t=56
  4. ↑ https://www.irreverentgent.com/how-to-measure-inseam/
  5. ↑ https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/family/parenting/parenting-tips/how-to-measure-man-for-suit.htm
  6. ↑ https://lifestyle.howstuffworks.com/family/parenting/parenting-tips/how-to-measure-man-for-suit.htm

About This Article

Andrea Beaulieu Co-authored by: Andrea Beaulieu Professional Tailor This article was co-authored by Andrea Beaulieu and by wikiHow staff writer, Aimee Payne, MFA. Andrea Beaulieu is a Professional Tailor, Fashion Designer, and the Owner of MOORE, a Brooklyn, New York based storefront and apparel workshop for gender-neutral, contemporary streetwear as well as custom-tailored products. Andrea has over 20 years in the fashion design and marketing industries and specializes in pattern making, draping, and the construction of garments. She holds a BS in Fashion Design and Merchandising from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. This article has been viewed 2,160,760 times. 4 votes - 80% Co-authors: 21 Updated: October 25, 2025 Views: 2,160,760 Categories: Featured Articles | Sewing Pants Article SummaryX

To measure your inseam, start with a pair of pants that fit you well and are similar to the style of pants you’re shopping for. Fold the pants in half on a flat surface, then lift the top leg up over the waist. Use a measuring tape to measure from the crotch seam all the way to the bottom of the pant leg. This measurement is your inseam size. You can also measure your body to find your inseam. Stand up straight in front of a mirror. It’s best to do this in your underwear so you get an accurate measurement. Hold a rolled up tape measure in one hand, and place the end where your thigh meets your groin. Then, unroll the tape measure and slowly lower it down to your ankles, keeping it close to your leg. Stop once it reaches your ankle or whatever point you want your pants to fall at. Note the measurement on the tape measure—this is your inseam size. For advice on how to measure someone else's inseam, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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  • Shirley Harland

    Shirley Harland

    Apr 21, 2017

    "This was a life saver, I have two pair of white dress pants that are size 20 and 22. I wanted to use them, but did..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Andrea Beaulieu Co-authored by: Andrea Beaulieu Professional Tailor Co-authors: 21 Updated: October 25, 2025 Views: 2,160,760 80% of readers found this article helpful. 4 votes - 80% Click a star to add your vote 80% of people told us that this article helped them. Shirley Harland

Shirley Harland

Apr 21, 2017

"This was a life saver, I have two pair of white dress pants that are size 20 and 22. I wanted to use them, but did..." more Anonymous

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"Pictures are always helpful. Explanations are very comprehensive. I consult wikiHow regularly when I need to..." more Oopaydo Roinsin

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"Starting the measure from the crotch down to the hem of the pants really was a focal point. I thought the inseam..." more T. F.

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"Needed to measure inseam, and it was a question as to whether one measured from the ankle bone or the floor. Also,..." more Annick Devery-Duz

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