5 Easy Steps to Measure Pant Length

How To Measure Pant Length
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Determining the perfect length for a pair of pants is essential for achieving a polished and tailored appearance. Whether you’re a seasoned fashionista or a novice looking to up your style game, measuring the correct pant length is a crucial step. From the classic tailored fit to the modern cropped silhouette, the desired length will vary depending on your personal style and the occasion. But don’t fret, with a few simple steps and attention to detail, you can master the art of measuring pant length and elevate your wardrobe to new heights.

First, prepare the necessary tools. You’ll need a measuring tape, a pair of shoes similar to the ones you plan to wear with the pants, and a pair of pants that you know fit you well (assuming you have at least one pair that meets your style standards). To ensure accuracy, grab a friend or family member to assist in taking the measurements. With the measuring tape in hand, have your assistant hold the end of the tape at the top of your waistband, at the center back. From there, guide the tape down the outside leg seam, following the natural drape of the pants and coming to a stop at the desired hem. If you want a full-length pant, the tape should touch the top of your shoe. For a more cropped look, measure to where you want the hem to fall, considering the height of the heels you plan to wear.

Once you have the desired length, take note of the measurement and transfer it to the new pair of pants. Mark the desired hem length on both legs of the pants using chalk or fabric marking tools. Double-check your measurements to ensure accuracy and then proceed to hem the pants accordingly. With precise measurements and careful execution, you can now enjoy the satisfaction of pants that fit perfectly and accentuate your silhouette effortlessly.

Determine Your Desired Pant Length

Determining your desired pant length is crucial for achieving a tailored fit. Follow these steps to measure accurately:

1. Choose Your Shoes and Socks

The type of shoes and socks you plan to wear with the pants can impact the desired length. For instance, dress shoes typically necessitate longer pants than sneakers. Wear the shoes you intend to pair with the pants, including the socks you’ll likely wear.

Shoe Type	Desired Pant Length
Dress Shoes	Breaks at the top of the shoe (small break)
Sneakers	Breaks at the middle of the shoe (medium break)
Boots	Breaks just above the top of the boot (no break)

Gather Necessary Tools

Measuring pants length accurately requires a few essential tools:

Measuring Tape or Yardstick

Choose a measuring tape or yardstick that is at least 60 inches long for measuring longer pants. Ensure that the markings are clear and easy to read.

Straight Edge or Ruler

A straight edge or ruler is helpful for marking the desired length on the pants. It provides a straight line to follow and ensures accuracy.

Chalk or Fabric Marker

Chalk or fabric markers are used to mark the desired length on the pants. These markings are temporary and can be easily erased or washed away later.

Pins

Pins are used to hold the hem or fold in place while measuring and adjusting the length. They help keep the fabric taut and prevent stretching or shifting.

Seam Ripper

A seam ripper may be necessary if any existing seams need to be removed to adjust the length. Use it carefully to avoid damaging the fabric.

Iron and Ironing Board

An iron and ironing board are useful for pressing the hem or fold and ensuring a neat and professional-looking finish.

Measure from Waistband to Inseam

This is the most common method for measuring pant length. It’s easy to do and provides an accurate measurement.

Put on the pants that you want to measure.
Locate the waistband of the pants. This is the top of the pants, where the belt loops are located.
Measure from the waistband to the inseam. The inseam is the inner leg seam of the pants. To measure the inseam, place the measuring tape at the crotch of the pants and measure down to the hem.

Here is a table that breaks down the steps in more detail:

Step	Description
1	Put on the pants that you want to measure.
2	Locate the waistband of the pants.
3	Measure from the waistband to the inseam. To measure the inseam, place the measuring tape at the crotch of the pants and measure down to the hem.

Once you have measured the inseam, you can compare it to a size chart to find the correct pant length. You can also use the inseam measurement to have the pants hemmed to the desired length.

Measure Along Inside Leg Seam

This method is the most traditional and provides the most accurate measurement. To measure along the inside leg seam, follow these steps:

Put on the pants that you want to measure.
Stand up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart.
Measure from the top of the inside leg seam, where the crotch of the pants meets the seam, to the bottom of the leg, where the hem of the pants meets the ground.
Record the measurement in inches or centimeters.

Tips for Measuring Inside Leg Seam

Make sure to measure the inside leg seam, not the outside leg seam.
Stand up straight and keep your legs together when measuring.
Use a soft measuring tape to ensure accuracy.
If you are measuring pants that are already hemmed, you can measure from the top of the inseam to the bottom of the hem.

Measuring Inseam Length for Different Heights and Body Types

The recommended inseam length for different heights and body types is as follows:

Height	Body Type	Inseam Length
5’0″ – 5’4″	Petite	25″ – 27″
5’5″ – 5’9″	Average	28″ – 30″
5’10” – 6’2″	Tall	31″ – 33″
6’3″ and taller	Extra Tall	34″ and longer

However, it is important to note that these are just general guidelines. The best way to determine the correct inseam length for you is to measure your inside leg seam.

Adjust for Hem Allowance

The hem allowance is the extra fabric added to the bottom of the pant leg to allow for alterations or fraying. A standard hem allowance is 1-2 inches, but it may vary depending on the fabric and style of the pants.

To adjust for the hem allowance, subtract the desired hem allowance from the desired pant length. For example, if you want the pants to be 30 inches long with a 1-inch hem allowance, you would subtract 1 inch from the desired length, resulting in a measurement of 29 inches.

Once you have adjusted for the hem allowance, you can measure the pant length using the following steps:

Put on the pants and adjust them to the desired waist height.
Stand up straight and have someone measure the distance from the top of the waistband to the desired hem length at the bottom of the pant leg.
Make sure the measuring tape is held taut and parallel to the floor.
Repeat the measurement on the other pant leg to ensure that both legs are the same length.
If you are measuring the pant length for a pair of jeans, you may want to take into account the desired cuff width. To do this, add the desired cuff width to the hem allowance before adjusting for the hem allowance. For example, if you want a 2-inch cuff width and a 1-inch hem allowance, you would add 2 inches to the 1-inch hem allowance, resulting in a total of 3 inches. You would then subtract the 3-inch hem allowance from the desired pant length to get the measurement for the inseam.

Mark the Desired Length

Step 6: Wear Socks or Shoes

For the most accurate measurement, wear the socks or shoes you intend to wear with the pants. This ensures that the desired length matches your intended fit.

Methods for Wearing Socks or Shoes:

Method	Description
Wear Actual Socks/Shoes	Put on the exact socks or shoes you plan to wear and walk around to settle them comfortably.
Use Thick Socks or Shoe-Shape Filler	If you don’t have the actual socks or shoes, wear thick socks or stuff the legs of the pants with a shoe-shape filler to simulate the extra height.
Visualize and Mark	If neither option is available, visualize the height of your socks or shoes and mark the desired length accordingly.

Important Note:

If you prefer a cuff or fold at the bottom of the pants, take that length into account when measuring. Add the desired cuff or fold height to the measurement to ensure the pants reach the intended length with the desired style.

Measure from Hemmed Edge to Inseam

This method is commonly used when purchasing pants that are either too long or too short. It involves taking the measurement from the hemmed edge of the pants to the inseam, which is the inner seam of the pants that runs from the crotch to the hem.

Materials:

Pants
Measuring tape or ruler

Steps:

Lay the pants flat on a surface and smooth out any wrinkles.
Identify the hemmed edge, which is the folded and stitched edge at the bottom of the pants.
Place the measuring tape or ruler at the hemmed edge and align the 0-inch mark with the edge.
Measure upwards along the inseam, following the seam line.
Stop measuring when you reach the crotch seam, which is where the two legs of the pants meet.
Record the measurement in inches or centimeters.
Additional Details for measuring the inseam with accuracy:
- Ensure that the measuring tape or ruler lies flat along the inseam, without any slack or stretching.
- Hold the measuring tape or ruler perpendicular to the inseam at all points.
- When measuring the inseam, pay attention to any curves or graduations in the seam line. Follow the contour of the seam accurately to obtain a precise measurement.
- If the pants have a break (a slight fold or crease at the bottom of the pants when standing), the inseam measurement should be taken from the bottom of the break to the crotch seam.

Account for Cuff or Fold

If you want to wear your pants with a cuff or fold, you’ll need to account for the extra length in your measurements. The amount of extra length you’ll need will depend on the width of the cuff or fold you want to create.

For a standard 1-inch cuff, you’ll need to add 2 inches to your inseam measurement. For a 2-inch cuff, you’ll need to add 4 inches to your inseam measurement. And so on.

Here’s a table to help you visualize the relationship between cuff width and extra inseam length:

Cuff Width	Extra Inseam Length
1 inch	2 inches
2 inches	4 inches
3 inches	6 inches

Once you’ve determined the extra length you need, you can add it to your inseam measurement before taking your final measurement.

Double-Check the Measurement

Once you have a measurement, it’s important to double-check it. Here are a few tips:

Measure twice, cut once. This is a common saying in carpentry, but it applies to sewing as well. Take two measurements to make sure you get the right length.
Use a measuring tape that is not stretched. A stretched measuring tape will give you an inaccurate reading.
Measure from the natural waist to the desired length. The natural waist is the narrowest part of your waist. If you measure from the top of your waistband, you will end up with pants that are too short.
Consider the type of shoes you will be wearing with the pants. If you plan to wear heels, you may want to add an inch or two to the length.
Don’t forget to add a hem allowance. A hem allowance is the extra fabric that is added to the bottom of the pants so that you can turn it up and sew it. The hem allowance should be at least 1 inch wide.

Once you have double-checked your measurement, you can be confident that you have the right length for your pants.

Measurement	Description
Inseam	The length from the crotch to the hem.
Outseam	The length from the waistband to the hem.
Waist	The circumference of your waist.
Hip	The circumference of your hips.

What You’ll Need

Measuring tape or ruler
Straight leg pants
Chair or ottoman

Steps

1. Determine the Outer Seam Length

With the pants laying flat, measure from the top of the waistband to the bottom of the leg, along the outer seam. This is the “outer seam length”.

2. Determine the Desired Length

Decide where you want the pants to end, whether at the ankles, just breaking over the shoes, or at a different length.

3. Mark the Desired Length on the Outer Seam

Using tailor’s chalk or a fabric marker, mark the desired length on the outer seam of the leg.

4. Measure the Inseam Length

Fold the pant leg in half lengthwise, bringing the inside seams together. Measure from the crotch seam to the marked length on the outer seam. This is the “inseam length”.

5. Mark the Inseam Length on the Other Pant Leg

Transfer the inseam length measurement to the other pant leg, marking it at the same location from the crotch seam.

6. Add Ease to the Inseam Length (Optional)

For a more comfortable fit, you may want to add 1-2 inches of ease (extra length) to the inseam length. This will account for movement and ensure the pants don’t feel too tight.

7. Cut the Excess Length

Carefully cut off the excess length from both pant legs, following the marked inseam length.

8. Pin the Hem

Fold the raw edges of the pant legs inward by 1/4 inch and press. Then fold the hem up again by 1/2 inch and press. Pin the hem in place.

9. Sew the Hem

Machine stitch the hem close to the inside edge of the fold, making sure to catch the raw edges.

Get Professional Alterations (Optional)

If you don’t feel comfortable measuring or altering the pants yourself, you can take them to a professional tailor for alterations. They will ensure a precise fit and can make any necessary adjustments.

Outer Seam Length	Inseam Length	Desired Length	Ease
34 inches	28 inches	Breaks over shoes	1 inch

How To Measure Pant Length

1. Put on the pants and stand up straight.
2. Measure from the top of your waistband to the bottom of the hem.
3. Record the measurement.
4. Subtract 1-2 inches from the measurement to account for the break.
5. This is your desired pant length.