Pants Size Calculator
Women’s pants size chart (US)
A typical US misses chart. If your waist and hips fall in different rows, the larger size usually fits better — the waist is easier to take in than the hips are to let out.
| US size | Letter | Waist | Hips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | XS | 24–25 in (61–64 cm) | 34–35 in (86–89 cm) |
| 2 | XS | 25–26 in (64–66 cm) | 35–36 in (89–91 cm) |
| 4 | S | 26–27 in (66–69 cm) | 36–37 in (91–94 cm) |
| 6 | S | 27–28 in (69–71 cm) | 37–38 in (94–97 cm) |
| 8 | M | 28–29 in (71–74 cm) | 38–39 in (97–99 cm) |
| 10 | M | 29–30.5 in (74–77 cm) | 39–40.5 in (99–103 cm) |
| 12 | L | 30.5–32 in (77–81 cm) | 40.5–42 in (103–107 cm) |
| 14 | L | 32–33.5 in (81–85 cm) | 42–43.5 in (107–110 cm) |
| 16 | XL | 33.5–35 in (85–89 cm) | 43.5–45 in (110–114 cm) |
| 18 | XL | 35–37 in (89–94 cm) | 45–47 in (114–119 cm) |
| 20 | XXL | 37–39 in (94–99 cm) | 47–49 in (119–124 cm) |
Women’s pants lengths
Short / Petite
Inseam about 28–29 in
Regular
Inseam about 30–31 in
Long / Tall
Inseam about 32–34 in
Men’s pants size chart (US)
Men’s pants are labeled by waist × inseam in inches — for example, 32W × 30L means a 32 in waist and a 30 in inside leg. Common waist sizes are 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48; common inseams run from 28 to 36 in.
Many brands cut the waistband slightly larger than the number on the label, so you may find your usual size is one or two inches smaller than your measured waist. Always check the brand’s own chart.
How to measure for pants
Waist
Measure where the waistband of your pants sits — for most styles at or just below the belly button. Keep one finger under the tape.
Hips
Stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, keeping the tape level.
Inseam
Measure from the crotch to the bottom of your ankle along the inside leg, or measure the inside seam of pants that fit you.
The pants waist is often lower than the natural waist used for body shape. For bust, waist and hip measurements for body shape, see the measuring guide.
Pants fit by body shape
- Pear and hourglass shapes often need more room in the hips than the waist — curvy-fit cuts and contoured waistbands help.
- Rectangle shapes usually fit standard straight cuts with little alteration.
- Apple shapes may prefer mid- or high-rise styles with some stretch at the waist.
- Inverted triangle shapes often fit their usual size in the hips, with plenty of choice in leg shapes.
Read more fit ideas in how to dress for your body type.
Pants size FAQ
How do I figure out my pants size?
Measure your waist where you wear your pants, the fullest part of your hips, and your inseam. Women’s sizes use the waist and hip ranges in the chart; men’s pants are labeled with the waist and inseam in inches, such as 32W × 30L.
What size is a 30 inch waist in women’s pants?
On a typical US women’s chart a 30 in waist is around a size 10, but the hip measurement matters too. If your hips match a larger size, choose that size and have the waist taken in.
Why do pants sizes differ between brands?
There is no single mandatory US sizing standard for retail clothing. Brands cut for different fit models and some use “vanity sizing,” so the same measurements can be a different size in different stores.
How do I measure my inseam?
Measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the ankle along the inside of the leg, or lay a pair of pants that fit you well flat and measure the inside leg seam.
Does my body shape affect my pants size?
Yes. If your hips are much larger than your waist — common with pear and hourglass shapes — standard pants often gap at the waist. Curvy-fit styles are cut with more room through the hips and seat.
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