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Health
Musculoskeletal System Health
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Hip Health
How to Measure Hips Download Article Co-authored by Andrea Beaulieu
Last Updated: September 2, 2025 Fact Checked
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Getting an Accurate Hip Measurement
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Using the Cloth Tape
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This article was co-authored by Andrea Beaulieu. 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 11 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 1,556,701 times.
Accurate hip measurements are important for having clothing made or assessing weight loss. To measure your hips, remove your outer garments, put your feet together, and wrap a soft measuring tape straight and snug around the widest part of your hips. Your hip measurement is the point at which the end of the tape meets the remaining length.
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Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Getting an Accurate Hip Measurement
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1 Find a full-length body mirror. Although the hips are easier to measure by yourself than other areas of the body, a mirror will help you ensure the tape is not twisted or uneven. Therefore, stand in front of one to get your measurement.[1]XResearch source
2 Take off your clothes. Remove your outer garments, such as your pants and shirt. You can leave on thin underwear and still obtain an accurate measurement. Wearing jeans or anything else too bulky will change the measurement.[2]X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
If you always wear the same bulky clothes, you can leave them on if you're just measuring to judge how much weight you've lost.
However, if you're measuring for a pattern or clothes, it's important to be as accurate as possible.
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3 Place your feet together. Having your feet apart can create a measurement that's actually larger than your hip area. Put your feet together to take the measurement. At the very least, your feet shouldn't be wider than your shoulders, but together is better.[3]XResearch source
4 Know the difference between your waist and hips. Your natural waist is the smallest part of your torso, where your body dips in. Your hips are below that, and they are usually wider than your waist. Your hip measurement includes your butt and your hips.[4]XResearch source
5 Find the widest point. Your hip measurements should be taken at where your hips are the widest. That's because when you're taking measurements, you're trying to get an accurate representation of your body, and the hips represent the widest point on your bottom half. For clothes to fit accurately, you need to find the widest point.
Once you have your tape measure in place, you may need to move up or down an inch or two to find the widest spot.
Everyone's body is different, so it may take a few tries repositioning the tape measure to ensure you're measuring the widest spot.[5]X Expert Source Andrea BeaulieuProfessional Tailor & Fashion DesignerExpert Interview
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Using the Cloth Tape
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1 Hold a cloth tape measure on one hip. Hold one end on one hip. It doesn't matter which side you start with. You can also pull it more towards your middle if that's easier for you. Just make sure you hold on to that end as you bring the other end around.[6]XResearch source
Cloth measuring tapes are soft and flexible tools you can find in sewing kits and craft stores. Most measuring tapes go up to 5 five or so. Most big box stores and drug stores will also carry sewing kits.[7]XResearch source
You can also print a tape measure off the internet. You can find these with a simple search online. You simply cut them apart, align the edges, and then glue or tape them together.[8]XResearch source Of course, you need to be careful with this type of tape measure, as it can rip easily. However, don't try to use card stock, as that can be too stiff to get a good measurement.
Don't use metal measuring tapes. Metal measuring tapes, the kind you use for do-it-yourself improvement projects, are not good for taking measurements of your body. They aren't flexible enough, so they won't give you an accurate measurement.[9]XResearch source
2 Go around the back. Wrap it around your backside, being careful to make sure it doesn't twist. Pull the tape around to the other end from the other hip. Make sure you are getting it around your rear end at the same time.[10]XResearch source
You can also start out holding both ends and step over the tape so it's on your backside. This movement can help if you have trouble wrapping it around the back.
3 Check in the mirror. Now that you've got it wrapped around, check to make sure you've got it right in the mirror. The tape should be parallel to the floor all around, and it shouldn't be twisted at all. Make sure it looks even.
You'll need to shift around to check out the back side of the tape. Turn to the side so you can see.
If the tape measure doesn't look even, reposition it and try again.[11]X Expert Source Andrea BeaulieuProfessional Tailor & Fashion DesignerExpert Interview
4 Make it snug. When measuring, the tape should be snug around your hips. However, it shouldn't be cutting off circulation. It should be tight enough that you can only fit a finger underneath it, no more.
5 Read the measurement. You can look down to find out your measurement. You measurement is where the end of the tape meets a number as the tape measure comes around. You may need to look in the mirror to read the number more easily.
6 Write down your hip measurement. Now that you've figured out what your hip measurement is, write it down so you can save it for later. You'll also need other measurements to make clothing, such as your bust, hip, thighs, waist, and inseam, depending on what you're making.[12]XResearch source
Like your hips, you measure your thigh at the thickest part of your leg.
The inseam is the inside of your leg from your crotch to where you want your pants to fall. If you have a pair of pants that are the length, you can measure the inseam on them instead of your body.
7 Add a few inches when making clothing. When you make clothing, you don't make it to your exact measurements because then it would be skin-tight, which would mean it would be difficult to move. Therefore, you must add a few inches to make it more wearable.
You add inches for two reasons. One, as already stated, is to make the clothing more wearable. However, you might also add inches to create a design. For instance, if you want a really flowing, poofy skirt, you might add more inches at the hip than for an a-line skirt.
How much the cloth gives also affects how many inches you add. That is, if it is especially stretchy, you probably don't need to add as many inches.
Most patterns will help you determine how many inches to add. However, if you are doing it yourself, you should add 2 to 4 inches (5.1 to 10 cm), depending on how tight or loose you want your clothing.
Also, if you're a bit curvier, you may want to add more inches to allow for better movement.
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Question How do I know if I'm accurately measuring my hips? Andrea Beaulieu Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer 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 Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer Expert Answer Be sure you're measuring around the widest part of your hip. However, this is different for every person, so it may take a couple of tries to find the right placement for the measuring tape. 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 1 Helpful 27
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Some people may find that the area above their buttocks is wider than their hips. In this case, measure both the widest point at the upper hips and the widest point at the buttocks. Take the larger measurement for clothing to have a more comfortable fit. Thanks Helpful 12 Not Helpful 3
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↑ Andrea Beaulieu. Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer. Expert Interview
↑ https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_c/C209/
About This Article
Co-authored by: Andrea Beaulieu Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer This article was co-authored by Andrea Beaulieu. 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 1,556,701 times. 8 votes - 88% Co-authors: 17Updated: September 2, 2025 Views: 1,556,701 Categories: Body Measurements | Hip HealthArticle SummaryX
To measure your hips, stand in front of a full-length mirror and take off all your clothes except your underwear. Put your feet together and look at your hips to find the widest point across. Hold one end of a cloth tape measure against your hip on one side, then wrap the tape measure around your hips and backside until it overlaps the end. Make sure the tape is parallel to the floor and isn’t twisted anywhere. Keep it snug but not too tight. Read the measurement where the tape overlaps the end and write it down. For tips on taking other measurements, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Peggy Davis
Dec 9, 2016
"Accurate pictures or a real looking body helped. You didn't use an anorexic teenager and the body looked in normal proportions. That is very helpful because the name of a body part may not mean the same to everyone."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Andrea Beaulieu Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer Co-authors: 17Updated: September 2, 2025 Views: 1,556,70188% of readers found this article helpful. 8 votes - 88% Click a star to add your vote
Peggy Davis
Dec 9, 2016
"Accurate pictures or a real looking body helped. You didn't use an anorexic teenager and the body looked in normal proportions. That is very helpful because the name of a body part may not mean the same to everyone."..." more
Noriko D.
Jul 3, 2016
"This was very helpful to me, because I've been trying to find out my correct hip size to order my mermaid line wedding gown online. My hip measurement is narrower than the bottom area, and found it hard to judge."..." more
Lola
Nov 18, 2016
"I found this article very helpful. The verbal, written description as well as the visual pictures provided me with a clear vision as to how to measure my hips."..." more
Frank Dietz
May 7, 2018
"This is an excellent guide to obtain proper hip measurements. My wife wasn't completely sure and this guide really helped."..." more
J. S.
May 10, 2019
"I like to wear certain types of women's clothing, so the measurement tips help a lot with sizing." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Co-authored by: Andrea Beaulieu Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer This article was co-authored by Andrea Beaulieu. 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 1,556,701 times. 8 votes - 88% Co-authors: 17 Updated: September 2, 2025 Views: 1,556,701 Categories: Body Measurements | Hip Health Article SummaryX
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1 Find a full-length body mirror. Although the hips are easier to measure by yourself than other areas of the body, a mirror will help you ensure the tape is not twisted or uneven. Therefore, stand in front of one to get your measurement.[1] 
2 Take off your clothes. Remove your outer garments, such as your pants and shirt. You can leave on thin underwear and still obtain an accurate measurement. Wearing jeans or anything else too bulky will change the measurement.[2] 
3 Place your feet together. Having your feet apart can create a measurement that's actually larger than your hip area. Put your feet together to take the measurement. At the very least, your feet shouldn't be wider than your shoulders, but together is better.[3] 
4 Know the difference between your waist and hips. Your natural waist is the smallest part of your torso, where your body dips in. Your hips are below that, and they are usually wider than your waist. Your hip measurement includes your butt and your hips.[4] 
5 Find the widest point. Your hip measurements should be taken at where your hips are the widest. That's because when you're taking measurements, you're trying to get an accurate representation of your body, and the hips represent the widest point on your bottom half. For clothes to fit accurately, you need to find the widest point. 
1 Hold a cloth tape measure on one hip. Hold one end on one hip. It doesn't matter which side you start with. You can also pull it more towards your middle if that's easier for you. Just make sure you hold on to that end as you bring the other end around.[6] 
2 Go around the back. Wrap it around your backside, being careful to make sure it doesn't twist. Pull the tape around to the other end from the other hip. Make sure you are getting it around your rear end at the same time.[10] 
3 Check in the mirror. Now that you've got it wrapped around, check to make sure you've got it right in the mirror. The tape should be parallel to the floor all around, and it shouldn't be twisted at all. Make sure it looks even. 
4 Make it snug. When measuring, the tape should be snug around your hips. However, it shouldn't be cutting off circulation. It should be tight enough that you can only fit a finger underneath it, no more. 
5 Read the measurement. You can look down to find out your measurement. You measurement is where the end of the tape meets a number as the tape measure comes around. You may need to look in the mirror to read the number more easily. 
6 Write down your hip measurement. Now that you've figured out what your hip measurement is, write it down so you can save it for later. You'll also need other measurements to make clothing, such as your bust, hip, thighs, waist, and inseam, depending on what you're making.[12] 
7 Add a few inches when making clothing. When you make clothing, you don't make it to your exact measurements because then it would be skin-tight, which would mean it would be difficult to move. Therefore, you must add a few inches to make it more wearable. 
Andrea Beaulieu Professional Tailor & Fashion Designer 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. 
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