What you need
- A flexible tape measure (a fabric or plastic sewing tape, not a metal one).
- A mirror, so you can check the tape is level at the back.
- Light, close-fitting clothing or underwear. For the bust, a well-fitting non-padded bra.
- Optional: someone to help, which makes it easier to keep the tape level.
General technique
- Stand upright and relaxed with your feet together and your arms by your sides.
- Keep the tape parallel to the floor all the way around.
- The tape should be snug but not compress the skin — you should be able to slide one finger underneath.
- Breathe normally. Read the measurement at the end of a normal breath out.
- Take each measurement twice. If the readings differ by more than about ½ in (1 cm), measure a third time and use the middle value.
These steps follow the general principles used in clothing sizing standards such as ISO 8559-1, which defines body measurements for garment sizing, simplified for measuring yourself at home.
1. Bust
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest — usually across the nipples — and around your back at the same height. Check in the mirror that the tape hasn’t ridden up at the back, which is the most common bust measuring error.
Padded, push-up, minimizing and compression bras can all change this measurement. Use the same type of bra each time you measure.
2. Waist
Find your natural waist: the narrowest part of your torso, usually a little above the belly button. Bending to one side creates a crease at the natural waist, which can help you find it. If you don’t have an obvious narrowest point, measure roughly midway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bones.
Don’t pull in your stomach or hold your breath. The waist varies more through the day than the other measurements, so measuring at a similar time each time gives more consistent results.
3. Hips
With your feet together, measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat. This is typically several inches below the waist and lower than the hip bones. Turn sideways to the mirror and move the tape up and down to find the largest reading.
Measuring at the hip bones — where many people think of their “hips” — usually gives a smaller number and can change a pear result to rectangle or hourglass.
Common mistakes
- Tape not level. A tape that dips at the back or front adds length.
- Too tight or too loose. Both are common; aim for snug.
- Measuring over bulky clothes. Jeans, sweaters and belts add to the reading.
- Mixing units. Make sure the unit selected in the calculator matches your tape.
- Wrong landmark. Waist at the belly button or hips at the hip bones changes the result.
Using your measurements
Once you have all three numbers, enter them in the body shape calculator. If your result is close to a boundary, the calculator will tell you; that is a good moment to re-measure carefully. You can also compare your proportions with the five body shape types.