How to Measure Inseam on Jeans

Co-authored by Joanne Gruber

Last Updated: August 3, 2022 References

Jeans are perhaps the most versatile style of pants in history, serving as a staple clothing item for work, relaxation, and even formal wear. Finding the perfect pair can be quite challenging, especially when dealing with tricky measurements like inseams. Thankfully, some simple measuring techniques can make the process easier while giving you accurate numbers to work with.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Measuring a Pair of Jeans

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Grab a pair of jeans and lay them flat. Stretch them out over a solid, smooth surface that’s large enough to hold the entire pair of pants. If you’re trying to find your optimal inseam, pick a pair of jeans that fit you well and whose legs are your preferred length.^{[1]
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- Measuring a pair of jeans works best if the jeans are properly fitted to your body type.
EXPERT TIP

"The inseam is measured from the center of the crotch down to the ankle."

Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist
Joanne Gruber is a Professional Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. She has worked in the fashion and style industries for over 10 years, specializing in educating people on the art of re-purposing existing clothing to freshen up a wardrobe. Joanne opened The Closet Stylist in 2007, a personal style service combining wardrobe editing with organization.

Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist
To get more accurate measurements, smooth out the jeans to remove any folds or creases. If they’re altering the jeans’ overall shape, button and zip the pants up. If the legs do not lie straight, making them difficult to measure, fold the jeans in half vertically so the legs are lined up.

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Place the tip of a soft tape measure on the jeans’ crotch seam. Measure down in a straight line until you reach the hem of the pants. The number listed on your tape measure will be the jeans’ inseam.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Measuring Yourself

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Put on a pair of close-fitting pants. Measuring in large or baggy pants will make your calculations far too big, and measuring without pants will make it difficult to get accurate numbers. Instead, wear a pair of pants that sit close to the leg itself. If you plan on buying jeans using this measurement, wear pants similar in length to what you want to purchase.^{[3]
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- If you do not own a pair of properly fitted jeans, measuring your own inseam will give you the information necessary purchase some.
Shoes add extra bulk and height that can mess with the length of your pants and throw off your measurements. To avoid this, remove your shoes so your feet touch the ground. Unless they’re extremely bulky, feel free to keep your socks on.^{[4]
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Slouching can throw off your measurements, so stand against a wall to make sure your posture stays good. Push your shoulders back and hold your torso up, keeping your back straight and tall. Keep your legs shoulder-width apart and make sure they’re straight, not bent. Your feet should be flat on the ground.^{[5]
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Measure your leg from crotch to ankle. Hold a soft tape measure to your pants’ crotch seam, about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) below your actual crotch. Measure down your inner leg until you reach the middle of your ankle. Your general inseam measurement will be listed on the tape measure. Remember to keep your legs straight, otherwise the measurement will not be accurate.^{[6]
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- If you have trouble finding this measurement on your own, ask a friend or family member to help.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Purchasing Jeans with the Correct Inseam

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Look for jeans that match your measurements. When purchasing men’s jeans, look for inseam measurements on the back label. They will typically be listed with waist size first and inseam second, so a pair of pants marked 34x32 will have a 34 in (86 cm) waist and a 32 in (81 cm) inseam. Women’s jeans rarely list the inseam, so you may have to consult a store attendant, make a conversion using the brand’s sizing chart, or measure the seam yourself.
- Websites like Search By Inseam allow you to find the inseam measurements for popular pant brands.
Though compact shoes and sneakers won’t make a significant difference, high heels and similar shoes may. In general, add between .5 and 1 inch (1.3 and 2.5 cm) to your inseam measurement to accommodate raised shoes. If possible, measure your inseam while wearing the raised shoes to get a more precise number.^{[7]
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EXPERT TIP

Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist
Joanne Gruber is a Professional Stylist based in Los Angeles, California. She has worked in the fashion and style industries for over 10 years, specializing in educating people on the art of re-purposing existing clothing to freshen up a wardrobe. Joanne opened The Closet Stylist in 2007, a personal style service combining wardrobe editing with organization.

Joanne Gruber
Professional Stylist

Try an ankle-length style for a versatile look. Stylist Joanne Gruber says: "A lot of jeans we're seeing today are ankle-length, because they're flattering on a lot of women. If you're petite, ankle-length jeans will fit more like full-length pants, but if you're taller, they just hit your ankle, but they won't look like they're high-waters."
Over time, jeans made from cotton, linen, and wool may shrink, something that will affect the inseam. If purchasing a name brand pair, search online for information on how much you should expect the pants to shrink. If necessary, purchase pants with an inseam that is about .5 inches (1.3 cm) too large, giving the legs room to shrink.^{[8]
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