What an inside leg measurement does not tell you

Short answer: The inside leg measurement runs from the crotch seam to the hem of the trousers. It says nothing about how high the trousers sit at the waist, and therefore nothing about how long they look on you. You need a second figure alongside it to get the full picture.

Two pairs of trousers, same inside leg

A pair with a high waist and a pair with a low one can have the same inside leg measurement and still end in two different places on the leg. The difference lies in the rise. That is why trousers that look right in the chart can still be too short or too long when you put them on.

The rise is the second figure

The rise is measured from the top of the waistband down to the crotch seam. Together with the inside leg, it gives the total length from waist to hem. A chart that gives only the inside leg therefore tells only half the story. If the rise is missing, you can measure it on a pair you know and use the figure for comparison.

How to measure yourself

Lay a pair of trousers that fit flat. Measure from the crotch seam down the inner leg to the hem, and measure separately from the waist down to the crotch seam. Write both figures down. Then compare them with the figures in the chart, so you can see whether the new pair ends in the same place as the one you know.

What a typical inside leg is

About eighty centimetres for an adult of average height, but it varies a great deal. Height, proportions and the cut of the trousers all play a part. Use the figure as a guide and not as a fact, and always compare with a pair that already fits you well.

Why sweatpants are often shorter

Sweatpants are often made to sit with a slight gather over the shoe. They can therefore have a shorter inside leg than ordinary trousers, even though they are meant for the same person. It is part of their relaxed look, and you should keep it in mind when you compare figures.

Can I use another pair's figures

Yes, if both figures are measured the same way and on the same type of trousers. Jeans and sweatpants have a different rise and a different drop, so the figures cannot be compared directly. Choose a pair of the same kind that you already own, and measure it by the same method as the chart.

With knit, the length can change

If the trousers are made of knit, the length can change a little after washing, and the fabric can give with wear. If you want to be sure the length still suits, choose a little too long rather than too short, and check the care label before you wash for the first time.

The same thinking for other garments

The same principle applies to other measurements. The sleeve length on a bamboo long sleeve t-shirt for men does not tell everything about where the sleeve ends on your arm either. And a set of bamboo envelope sheets fits by the mattress measurements, not by who sleeps in the bed.

In short

The inside leg is one figure, the rise is another, and together they show where the trousers end. Measure a pair that fits and compare. If you want to do the same for underwear, look at bamboo underwear for men and use the same method, so you know what you are getting before the parcel arrives.