How to Measure Bust, Waist, and Hips
Every calculator on this site is only as accurate as the measurements you enter. Here's exactly where the tape should sit.
Bust / chest
Measure around the fullest part of the bust or chest, tape level all the way around (check in a mirror or ask someone to check the back). Arms relaxed at your sides, tape snug but not compressing.
Waist
Find the natural waist by bending sideways -- the crease that forms is usually it, generally just above the belly button and above the hip bones. Measure without sucking in; breathe normally and read the tape after exhaling.
Hips
Stand with feet together and measure around the fullest part of the hips and seat, usually 7-9 inches below the natural waist. Check that the tape is level front and back, not angled.
High hip
About 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) below the natural waist, at the top of the hip bones. This is the measurement the spoon shape variant depends on -- it's often skipped, which is why the wizard treats it as optional.
Shoulders
Measure across the back, point to point at the outer edge of each shoulder, where the arm meets the shoulder. Stand naturally; don't pull the shoulders back or hunch forward.
Wrist
Wrap the tape snugly (not tight) around the narrowest point of the wrist, just past the wrist bone. This is the only measurement the somatotype estimator uses.
A few general rules
- Use a soft, flexible tape measure, not a rigid ruler or a metal tape.
- Keep the tape level and parallel to the floor at every measurement -- a tape that dips or angles reads short.
- Snug against the body, not pulled tight enough to compress skin or clothing.
- If you can, have someone else check the back of the tape, or measure in front of a mirror -- it's easy to angle a tape without realizing it when measuring yourself.
With accurate numbers in hand, run the body shape calculator or jump straight to the waist-to-hip ratio calculator.
Keep going
- Ready to use these measurements? The female wizard turns them into a shape, ratios, and a dressing guide. Body Type Calculator for Women
- Waist and hip alone are enough to run the WHR calculator without the full shape wizard. Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I measure over clothes or against skin?
Against skin or over thin, form-fitting clothing gives the most accurate read. Bulky clothing, especially at the waist and hips, can add an inch or more.
Does it matter what time of day I measure?
A little -- bloating and water retention can shift the waist measurement by half an inch or more through the day. If you're tracking a change over time, measure at a similar time of day for consistency.
My waist measurement feels too high or too low depending on how I stand. What's right?
Stand naturally, breathe normally, and read the tape after a normal exhale -- not while holding your breath or intentionally pulling the stomach in. The bend-sideways trick for finding the natural waist crease is more reliable than guessing by eye.