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How to Measure Your Body for Clothes (UK Sizing Guide)

Quick answer: To measure your body for clothes, use a soft tape measure held level and snug but not tight. Measure your chest or bust at the fullest part, your natural waist at the narrowest point, your hips at the widest part and your inside leg from crotch to ankle, then compare the figures with the brand’s UK size chart.

This section covers every common body measurement, from collar and sleeve to bra, shoe and ring sizes, with step-by-step guides and UK, EU and US size comparisons.

Why measure rather than guess your size?

Because a size label is a brand’s own choice, but your measurements in centimetres are not. A size 12 in one high street shop can fit like a 10 or a 14 in another, and online returns waste time and money. Most UK retailers publish a size chart based on body measurements, so a few minutes with a tape measure lets you pick the right size from any brand.

The European standard for clothing size labels, published in the UK as BS EN 13402, describes sizes by body dimensions in centimetres, such as chest, waist and height. Not every brand follows it, but more labels now show a body measurement alongside the traditional size number, which makes your own figures even more useful.

What do you need to measure yourself?

  • A soft tape measure in cloth or fibreglass, ideally marked in both centimetres and inches. A rigid metal DIY tape will not follow the body’s curves.
  • Light, close-fitting clothing or underwear, because jumpers and jeans add centimetres.
  • A mirror or a helper to check the tape is level all the way round, especially at the back.
  • A pen and paper or a notes app to record each figure as you go.
Where to measure your body for clothesA front-view body outline with six numbered measuring points: neck, chest or bust, natural waist, hips, inside leg and sleeve, with a legend explaining where to place the tape for each.Where to place the tape measure1234561 Neck (collar)2 Chest or bust3 Natural waist4 Hips5 Inside leg6 SleeveAround the base of the neckFullest part, tape level at the backNarrowest point, above the navelWidest part of the seatCrotch seam to ankle boneShoulder point to wrist bone
The six measurements most UK size charts ask for. Keep the tape level and snug, without pulling it tight.

How do you take the main body measurements?

Stand relaxed, breathe normally and keep the tape horizontal for every measurement that goes around the body. Take each one twice; if the readings differ, use the average. Write figures in centimetres, as most size charts list them first, and note inches as well if you shop with American brands.

  1. Neck. Wrap the tape around the base of the neck where a shirt collar sits, with one finger between tape and skin. This is your collar size.
  2. Chest or bust. Measure around the fullest part, under the arms and across the shoulder blades. For bras, also measure the underbust, directly below the bust where the band sits.
  3. Natural waist. Find the narrowest point of the torso, usually just above the belly button, and measure around it without holding your breath. Trouser waists can sit lower, so check which one the chart means.
  4. Hips. Stand with feet together and measure around the widest part of the seat, usually about 20 cm below the natural waist.
  5. Inside leg. Measure from the crotch down the inside of the leg to the ankle bone, ideally on a pair of well-fitting trousers laid flat or with a helper.
  6. Sleeve. With the arm slightly bent, measure from the shoulder point, over the elbow, to the wrist bone. Some shirt makers measure from the centre back of the neck instead, so read the chart notes.

If you are new to reading the small marks on a tape, the guide on how to read a tape measure explains millimetres and fractions of an inch.

How do UK clothing sizes compare with EU and US sizes?

For women’s clothing, a UK size is usually 28 higher than the French or EU size and 4 higher than the US size. A UK 12 is typically an EU 40 and a US 8. These are conventions rather than rules, and German and Italian sizing differ again, so always go back to the measurements in each retailer’s chart.

UK women’sEU (French)US
8364
10386
12408
144210
164412
184614

Men’s clothing in the UK is still mostly sized by body measurement in inches. A 40-inch chest jacket is for a chest of 40 inches (102 cm), trousers are labelled waist by inside leg, such as 34R or 34 by 31, and shirts by collar size. A 15½-inch collar is 39.4 cm and is usually labelled 39 or 40 in European sizing.

Men’s measurement (in)CentimetresTypical use
15 in collar38.1 cmShirt collar 38
16 in collar40.6 cmShirt collar 41
32 in waist81.3 cmTrousers W32
36 in waist91.4 cmTrousers W36
40 in chest101.6 cmJacket 40R
44 in chest111.8 cmJacket 44R

How do UK shoe sizes work?

Each full UK shoe size is one third of an inch (8.47 mm) longer than the last, based on the old barleycorn unit. European sizes use a smaller step of two thirds of a centimetre (6.67 mm), which is why the two scales never line up neatly. US men’s sizes are usually one above UK sizes and US women’s sizes about two above.

UK adultEU (typical)US men’sUS women’s
43756
53867
63978
740 to 4189
842910
9431011
1044 to 451112

Brands vary by up to a size, so measure your foot length in millimetres and use the maker’s chart. The size charts page has shoe and ring size tables, and the foot measuring guides are listed below.

What mistakes should you avoid when measuring for clothes?

  • Pulling the tape tight. The tape should lie flat against the body without pressing in. A tight tape gives a smaller figure and clothes that pinch.
  • Letting the tape drop at the back. A tape that dips behind you adds several centimetres to chest and hip readings. Check it in a mirror.
  • Measuring over bulky clothes. Measure over underwear or a thin layer for body measurements.
  • Confusing body and garment measurements. Some charts list the finished garment, which includes ease for movement, rather than the body. The chart heading usually says which.
  • Rounding between units. Convert inches to centimetres by multiplying by 2.54, and round only at the end.

How are children’s clothes and shoes sized?

Children’s clothes in the UK are usually sized by age, often with a height in centimetres beside it. Because children of the same age vary a lot, the height figure is the better guide: measure your child standing straight against a wall, without shoes. Children’s feet grow quickly and should be measured regularly for both length and width; the guide to measuring children’s feet explains how.

Body measuring guides in this section

Shirts, suits and tops

Bras and underwear

Trousers and waist

Feet

Hands, head and mobility

Latest body and clothing measurement guides

Related sections

For the units behind every size chart, see the units of measurement guide and length and distance conversions. To choose a good tape and use it accurately, see measuring tools and techniques.

Frequently asked questions

Should I measure in centimetres or inches?

Use centimetres if you can. Most UK and European size charts list centimetres first, but write down inches too if you buy from American brands. To convert, multiply inches by 2.54.

What should I do if I am between two sizes?

Check the fit notes and the fabric. For stretchy garments the smaller size often works; for fitted tailoring or non-stretch fabric, choose the larger size and have it altered if needed.

Where is my natural waist?

Your natural waist is the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button. Bend to one side and the crease that forms marks it.

Can I measure my inside leg on my own?

Yes. Lay a pair of well-fitting trousers flat and measure from the crotch seam to the hem along the inside leg. This is usually easier and more accurate than measuring your own body.

What is a UK size 12 in EU and US sizes?

A UK women’s size 12 is usually an EU (French) 40 and a US 8. Brands vary, so compare your measurements with each retailer’s size chart.

Sources