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Apr 22, 2023

How to Measure Yourself Accurately for the Perfect Fit

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Shop for clothes online with confidence.

Taking the time to measure yourself accurately can make it much easier to order the correct size while shopping online. You don't need to go to a tailor or try on clothes in person to find clothes that fit: The Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab pros are here with all the tips and tricks to measure yourself properly at home.

The most accurate tool for measuring yourself at home is a soft measuring tape or tailor's tape. GH pros love this one, and it's not expensive! If you don't have one, you can measure yourself without a soft measuring tape by using a piece of string or ribbon instead (make sure it's not stretchy) then measuring the string with a ruler or builder's tape measure.

Before getting started, wear lightweight, fitted clothing and intimates that aren't heavily padded. As you measure yourself, keep the tape level all around your body, parallel to the floor. For accurate measurements, the tape should be snug but not uncomfortably tight. Try taking a deep breath, sitting down and standing back up to check that the tape isn't constricting you as you move and breathe — this ensures that clothing of that size won't be too tight. Some pros opt to stick a finger or two inside the measuring tape to avoid buying garments that are too fitted for their preference.

The bust measurement refers to the widest part of your chest. It's best to keep your bra on for the measurement unless you are specifically shopping for a bra or a garment you’ll wear braless. To measure, lift your arms and wrap the tape under your armpits straight across both nipples. For men, it's the same concept: measure straight across the broadest part of your chest. Some size charts include an underbust measurement (also called band, chest or ribcage). To get this measurement, situate the tape directly underneath your breasts where the band of the bra would go.

Most size charts and sewing patterns say "waist" to refer to your natural waist, which is not at your belly button. To find your natural waist, stand straight up and bend side to side, finding where your body creases. At this point, wrap the measuring tape straight across. For many, it is the smallest point, but it may not be!

The hips are another tricky measurement to find, as many think your hip measurement is always at your hip bones, but that's not true: Your hip measurement is across your booty at your widest point. For an accurate measurement, make sure your feet are straight below your hips and not sprawled apart. Remember to sit down and stand up while taking your hip measurements to make sure you're not pulling the tape too tight. This will prevent that all too common issue where pants fit perfectly when standing up, but as soon as you sit down, they dig in and are uncomfortable.

Bust, hips and waist are the most common measurements you'll find when shopping for clothes, but if you're buying hats, jeans or other specialized types of clothing, a few more measurements may come in handy.

When shopping online, match your measurements to the brand's (not the retailer's) size chart, as every company bases its sizing on different measurements. Opt for online stores with free shipping and returns so it’ll be simple to send something back if the sizing is off. Read reviews online to see how other people rate the item's fit. Our pros love sites that allow customers to upload photos, so you can see how the pieces look on different body types. And try not to get discouraged — it may take trial and error to find the perfect fit.

Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.

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