Waist measurement and where the tape should sit

Short answer: The waist is the narrowest part of the upper body, usually just above the navel. Measure with a relaxed stomach and the tape level.

Find the right place

Bend gently to one side. Where the body folds is the waist. That is usually a couple of centimetres above the navel and not where your trouser waistband sits. Many people measure at the waistband and get a hip measurement instead.

How to hold the tape

The tape should lie level and touch the skin without pressing. Keep your stomach relaxed and breathe out normally. Pulling your stomach in gives a figure that does not match everyday life.

What the number is used for

Waist is used for trousers, skirts and dresses with a defined waist. For low rise trousers the hip measurement matters more. See bamboo trousers for women.

When waist and hip are far apart

If there are more than twenty centimetres between waist and hip, most trousers will gape at the back. Choose by the hip and have the waistband taken in. See bamboo clothing for women and bamboo briefs for women.

Frequently asked questions

Should I measure over clothes or on the body

On the body over a thin layer. Measured over trousers, the figure comes out too large.

What time of day should I measure

In the morning. The waist can vary by several centimetres across a day.

How much difference is there between waist and waistband

Trouser waistband figures are often measured at the hip rather than the waist. Always read what the chart states.