How to Size Pants

Standard sized pants can be modified to fit any body shape.

Clothing manufacturers vary sizes according to brand and style. Take your own measurements to get a customized fit for pants, tailor your trousers or customize a pattern to sew your own pants. Many brands have general, regular sizes for women between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-10, with adjustments for the "petite" and "tall" builds. Children's pants sizes can vary according to body proportions as they grow. You can save money and widen your options by purchasing standard-sized pants and tailoring them to fit your body measurements.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Men

1. Measure the following dimensions with a loose hold on your tape measure:

   Natural waist

   Top of foot to crotch (for your inseam measurement)

   Natural waist to top of foot (for the overall length)

2. Write down the following measurements:

   Height

   Waist

   Inseam

   Length

3. Check whether your height measurement puts you in the "regular" build category by comparing your height and waist measurements against your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's men's size chart for a regular build (of height 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-11) is:

   Regular small: Waist = 28 to 30 inches

   Regular medium: Waist = 32 to 34 inches

   Regular large: Waist = 36 to 38 inches

   Regular extra large: Waist = 40 to 42 inches

   Regular extra extra large: Waist = 44 to 46 inches

4. Check whether your height measurement puts you in the "tall" build category by comparing your height and waist measurements against your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's men's size chart for a tall build (of height 6 feet to 6-foot-3) is:

   Tall medium: Waist = 32 to 34 inches

   Tall large: Waist = 36 to 38 inches

   Tall extra large: Waist = 40 to 42 inches

   Tall extra extra large: Waist = 44 to 46 inches

5. Measure your pant leg according to your inseam and length. Fold and hem accordingly.

Women

1. Measure the following dimensions with a loose hold on your tape measure:

   Natural waist

   Hips

   Top of foot to crotch (for your inseam measurement)

   Natural waist to top of foot (for the overall length)

2. Write down the following measurements:

   Height

   Waist

   Hips

   Inseam

   Length

3. Compare your height measurement against the "build" category in your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's misses size chart has the following build categories:

   Petite: Height = 4-foot-11 to 5-foot-3

   Regular: Height = 5-foot-3 1/2 to 5-foot-7 1/2

   Tall: Height = 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-11

   Ultra tall: Height = 5-foot-11 1/2 to 6-foot-2

4. Compare your waist and hip measurements against your brand's size chart according to your build category. For example, JC Penney's misses size chart for regular, tall and ultra tall builds uses the same size chart:

   Size 0 (extra small): Waist = 24 inches and hips = 34.5 inches

   Size 2 (extra small):: Waist = 25 inches and hips = 35.5 inches

   Size 4 (small): Waist = 26 inches and hips = 36.5 inches

   Size 6 (small): Waist = 27 inches and hips = 37.5 inches

   Size 8 (medium): Waist = 28 inches and hips = 38.5 inches

   Size 10 (medium): Waist = 29 inches and hips = 39.5 inches

   Size 12 (large): Waist = 30.5 inches and hips = 41 inches

   Size 14 (large): Waist = 31 to 32 inches and hips = 42.5 inches

   Size 16 (extra large): Waist = 33.5 inches and hips = 44 inches

   Size 18 (extra large): Waist = 35.5 inches and hips = 46 inches

   Size 20 (extra extra large): Waist = 37.5 inches and hips = 48 inches

5. Measure your pant leg according to your inseam and length. Fold and hem accordingly, if needed.

Children

1. Measure the following dimensions with a loose hold on your tape measure:

   Natural waist

   Hips (for your seat)

   Top of foot to crotch (for your inseam measurement)

   Natural waist to top of foot (for the overall length)

2. Write down the following measurements:

   Height

   Waist

   Seat

   Inseam

   Length

3. Compare your child's height, waist and seat measurements to identify the "build" category in your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's kid's size chart has the following guidelines for build categories according to frame and body proportions for boys and girls (note: the difference between the waist and seat can be greater for girls):

   Slim: Small frame and thin body where the waist is about 5 to 6 inches less than the seat

   Regular: Average frame and proportions where the waist is about 4 to 5 inches less than the seat

   Plus or husky: Fuller body in proportion to height where the waist measurement is greater than 27 inches and is about 4 to 6 inches less than the seat.

4. Compare your child's waist and seat measurements against your brand's size chart. For example, JC Penney's kid's regular (build) size chart is:

   Girls size 7 (small): Waist = 23 inches and seat = 27 inches

   Girls size 8 (small): Waist = 23 inches and seat = 29 inches

   Boys size 8 (small): Waist = 23 inches and seat = 27 inches

   Girls size 10 (medium): Waist = 24 inches and seat = 29 inches

   Boys size 10 (medium): Waist = 24 inches and seat = 28 inches

   Girls size 12 (medium): Waist = 25 inches and seat = 31 inches

   Boys size 12 (medium): Waist = 26 inches and seat = 30 inches

   Girls size 14 (large): Waist = 26 inches and seat = 34 inches

   Boys size 14 (large): Waist = 27 inches and seat = 32 inches

   Girls size 16 (large): Waist = 27 inches and seat = 36 inches

   Boys size 16 (large): Waist = 28 inches and seat = 34 inches

5. Measure your pant leg according to your inseam and length. Fold and hem accordingly.

Tips & Warnings

• All brands vary slightly in sizing. Check the sizing chart for your specific brand or store (such as Gap or Old Navy).

• Buy pants that fit in the waist and rise and take them in (i.e., tailor them) along the leg seams and bottom hem, if needed.

References

• American Apparel: Size Chart

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Eddie Bauer: Sizing Chart for a Custom Fit
• How Do I Find the Right Size Pants?