How To Measure Your Waist To Determine Your Jeans Size

Good news. Your lifelong hunt for a pair of jeans that actually fits ends now. We’re here to show you how to find the elusive perfect fit.

What you need to know is that sizes can differ depending on the brand and the country you're shopping in. Knowing your body measurements will help you make an informed decision and lead you to the right fit. While there are a few key areas to measure, the waist measurement is the most significant indicator of size when it comes to jeans.

Woman's Waist

How Do You Measure Your Waist?

Using a flexible measuring tape with your feet slightly apart, place the measuring tape above your belly button at the smallest part of your waist. Relax your stomach and wrap the tape around your waist. Make sure to keep the tape snug, but not tight, and ensure that the tape measure is parallel to the floor.

For the most accurate measurements, the measuring tape needs to make contact with your skin. There shouldn’t be any clothing in the way.

Tip: If you don’t have a flexible measuring tape, you can use a string and then measure the length against a ruler.

Man and Woman Measuring Waist for Jeans

Converting Your Waist Measurement To Jeans Size

Now that you have your waist measurement, you can check the brand’s conversion chart to find out what your corresponding jeans size is. Brands typically post this chart on their website. The conversions will be based on the sizing system they use.

When making a DUER jeans purchase (great choice, by the way), due to the optimal stretch and recovery of our proprietary fabric, we recommend that you choose one size smaller if you prefer a slimmer fit.

Note: Some brands employ a different sizing system for pants than they do for jeans. See below for pants and jeans sizes that correspond to waist measurements.

Women's Fit Guide

Pants Size Waist Measurement Jeans Size
-- 23" - 25" 24"
XS 24" - 25" 25"
-- 25" - 27" 26"
S 26" - 28" 27"
-- 27" - 29" 28"
M 28" - 30" 29"
-- 29" - 31" 30"
L 30" - 32" 31"
-- 31" - 33" 32"
XL 32" - 34" 33"
-- 33" - 35" 34"

 

Men's Fit Guide

Pants Size Waist Measurement Jeans Size
28 30" - 32" 28
29 30 1/2" - 32 1/2" 29
30 31" - 33" 30
31 32" - 34" 31
32 33" - 35" 32
33 34" - 36" 33
34 35" - 37" 34
36 37" - 39" 36
38 39" - 41" 38
40 41" - 43" 40

 

Measuring Men's Waist Sizes For Jeans

The method of measurement is the same for men and women. However, conversion to sizes is often different. For example, a waist that measures 30” will convert to sizes 29-31 in women’s jeans and a size 28 in men’s jeans. This is because men’s jeans are cut differently from women’s jeans. Women’s jeans have a wider hip circumference in comparison to the waist circumference; in men’s jeans, the waist to hip circumference ratio is smaller.

Find Your Jeans Size Without A Conversion Chart

If you don’t have access to a size conversion chart, and you don’t want to try on multiple pairs of jeans, you can measure the jeans to find a pair that matches your measurement

1. Get a measuring tape

Ask the store clerk for a measuring tape.

2. Determine where the waistband of your jeans is meant to sit

Determine where the waistband of your jeans is meant to sit on your body. If it’s a high-waisted pair of jeans that you’re after, follow the same waist measurement guidelines outlined above. If you want low-rise pants, wrap the measuring tape just above the top of the buttocks.

3. Measure the waistband of the jeans

Measure the waistband of the pair of jeans to see if it’s a fit. Zip and button the jeans and lay it on a flat surface. Measure the waistband with a measuring tape from one end across to the other. Double that number for the waist measurement.

Match the jeans’ waistband measurement to your own waist measurement.


Measuring Jeans for Waist Size

Find Your Jeans Size Without Trying Them On

How do you find the perfect pair of jeans when you’re online shopping and therefore unable to try before you buy? While high-quality brands have a return policy that puts your mind at ease, it’s still preferable to get it right the first time.

Simply measure your waist and use the brand’s conversion chart to determine your size.

Once you've got your waist measurements and your jeans size has been determined, discover DUER’s men’s and women’s collections to find a ridiculously comfortable pair of jeans—the ultimate wardrobe staple.