Easy Ways to Calculate Girth
Calculating girth is important for mailing a package or measuring body dimensions for clothing. Packaging companies may have a maximum girth allowed for various shipping methods. The girth of an object is the measurement around it. Girth is similar to the word girdle, which is a woman's belt. Girth is typically measured at the object's fullest part.
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Standard Ruler
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Use a standard ruler to measure the height and width of boxes or packages that are rectangular in shape. The girth of a box is calculated as the quantity of width times two plus the quantity of height times two. For example, if your package has a width of 5 inches and a height of 4 inches, the girth is the quantity of five times two, which equals 10, plus the quantity of four times two, or eight, for a sum of 18 inches.
Flexible Tape Measure
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Use a flexible tape measure to calculate girth for objects that have relatively straight surfaces. A tape measure typically has a spring that rewinds the tape into a case. Measure the length of each surface going around the object's widest area and then add the numbers together.
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Fabric Tape
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Fabric tape is a soft and flexible ruler, designed to wrap around body parts to determine clothing measurements. Unwind the fabric tape and wrap it around the object you're measuring girth for. Read the measurement off the fabric tape.
String
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Take a sufficiently long piece of string and wrap it firmly around the object you want to measure. Use your finger to track the spot on the string where the measurement ends. Use a standard ruler to measure how long the piece of string is.
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