The charts you reach for most often, in one place: the measurements to take, a typical set for a woman, a man and a child, inch and centimetre conversions, size conversions between India, the UK, the US and Europe, and cloth weights. Every size chart here is a typical guide only. Always use a brand’s own chart, or better, your own tape measure.
What you’ll find here
- The measurements for a trouser, in the order to take them.
- Typical measurement sets for a woman, a man and a child.
- Inches and centimetres, metres and yards.
- Typical size conversions for women, men and children; cloth weights.
The measurements to take
| No. | Measurement | How |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waist | Where the trouser will sit; snug, not tight |
| 2 | Hip or seat | Fullest part, tape level all round |
| 3 | Hip depth | Side waist down to the hip line |
| 4 | Seated rise | Seated: side waist straight down to the chair |
| 5 | Crotch length | Centre-front waist, between the legs, to centre-back waist |
| 6 | Thigh | Fullest part of the upper leg |
| 7 | Knee | Round the knee, slightly bent |
| 8 | Calf and ankle | Fullest calf; round the ankle bone |
| 9 | Heel-to-instep | Round the heel and over the instep (for narrow hems) |
| 10 | Outside leg | Side waist to the floor, in the shoes to be worn |
| 11 | Inside leg | Crotch to the floor |
Full method: Measuring women, men and children and Seated rise, crotch length and measuring a child in Module 4.
Typical measurement sets
| Measurement | Woman (about UK 14) | Man (waist 34) | Child (7–8 years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waist | 30 in (76 cm) | 34 in (86.5 cm) | 22 in (56 cm) |
| Hip or seat | 40 in (101.5 cm) | 40 in (101.5 cm) | 26 in (66 cm) |
| Seated rise | 11 in (28 cm) | 10 1/2 in (26.5 cm) | 8 in (20.5 cm) |
| Crotch length | 26 1/2 in (67.5 cm) | 25 3/4 in (65.5 cm) | 18 1/2 in (47 cm) |
| Thigh | 23 1/2 in (60 cm) | 23 in (58.5 cm) | 15 in (38 cm) |
| Knee | 15 in (38 cm) | 16 in (40.5 cm) | 11 in (28 cm) |
| Inside leg | 29 1/2 in (75 cm) | 31 1/2 in (80 cm) | 21 1/2 in (54.5 cm) |
These are the example bodies used in Module 4, not standards. Real people vary widely.
Inches and centimetres
1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly. 1 cm = about 0.39 in.
| Inches | Centimetres | Inches | Centimetres |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 0.3 | 6 | 15.2 |
| 1/4 | 0.6 | 8 | 20.3 |
| 3/8 | 1.0 | 10 | 25.4 |
| 1/2 | 1.3 | 12 | 30.5 |
| 5/8 | 1.6 | 24 | 61.0 |
| 3/4 | 1.9 | 30 | 76.2 |
| 1 | 2.5 | 36 | 91.4 |
| 2 | 5.1 | 40 | 101.6 |
| 4 | 10.2 | 44 | 111.8 |
Seam allowances: 1 cm is about 3/8 in; 1.5 cm about 5/8 in; 2 cm about 3/4 in; 2.5 cm about 1 in. Draft in one unit from start to finish; mixing units mid-draft is a common source of error.
Metres and yards
| Metres | Yards (about) | Yards | Metres (about) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 0.55 | 1/2 | 0.46 |
| 1 | 1.09 | 1 | 0.91 |
| 1.5 | 1.64 | 1 1/2 | 1.37 |
| 2 | 2.19 | 2 | 1.83 |
| 2.5 | 2.73 | 2 1/2 | 2.29 |
| 3 | 3.28 | 3 | 2.74 |
Some Indian shops still sell by the gaj, a traditional measure usually taken as about a yard. Ask, and measure, when buying.
Women’s sizes: a typical conversion
| UK and India | US | EU | Letter, waist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 4 | 36 | XS, 24 in (61 cm) |
| 10 | 6 | 38 | S, 26 in (66 cm) |
| 12 | 8 | 40 | M, 28 in (71 cm) |
| 14 | 10 | 42 | L, 30 in (76 cm) |
| 16 | 12 | 44 | XL, 32 in (81.5 cm) |
| 18 | 14 | 46 | XXL, 34 in (86.5 cm) |
| 20 | 16 | 48 | 3XL, 36 in (91.5 cm) |
Many Indian brands use UK-style numbers or letters; ethnic sets are often sold by kurta size. See Size charts and conversions in Module 4.
Men’s sizes: a typical conversion
| Waist (India, UK, US) | Waist (cm) | EU | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 76 | 46 | S |
| 32 | 81.5 | 48 | M |
| 34 | 86.5 | 50 | L |
| 36 | 91.5 | 52 | XL |
| 38 | 96.5 | 54 | XXL |
| 40 | 101.5 | 56 | 3XL |
Men’s jeans are often labelled W (waist) and L (inside leg) in inches, for example W32 L32. Labelled waists are often rounded or smaller than the real garment; measure the trouser.
Children’s sizes by age and height
| Age | Height | Waist | Hip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2–3 years | 92–98 cm | 19 1/2 in (49.5 cm) | 21 in (53.5 cm) |
| 4–5 years | 104–110 cm | 20 1/2 in (52 cm) | 23 in (58.5 cm) |
| 6–7 years | 116–122 cm | 21 1/2 in (54.5 cm) | 25 in (63.5 cm) |
| 8–9 years | 128–134 cm | 22 1/2 in (57 cm) | 27 in (68.5 cm) |
| 11–12 years | 146–152 cm | 24 1/2 in (62 cm) | 30 1/2 in (77.5 cm) |
| 13–14 years | 158–164 cm | 26 in (66 cm) | 33 1/2 in (85 cm) |
European labels size children by height in cm. Buy or make by height first, then check the waist. Full chart: Children’s sizes by age and height, and ease for every style in Module 4.
Cloth weights: GSM and ounces
| GSM (g/m²) | Oz per sq yd (about) | Typical trouser use |
|---|---|---|
| Under 150 | Under 4.4 | Light: summer palazzos, pyjamas, linings |
| 150–200 | 4.4–5.9 | Light to medium: cotton pants, churidars |
| 200–300 | 5.9–8.85 | Medium: chinos, suiting, most trousers |
| 300–350 | 8.85–10.3 | Heavy: denim, canvas, winter wool |
| Over 350 | Over 10.3 | Very heavy: heavy denim and workwear |
Denim is usually sold by ounces: about 1 oz per sq yd = 34 GSM. See Weight, drape, hand and stretch in Module 2.
Cloth widths
| Width | Centimetres | Usual cloths |
|---|---|---|
| 36 in | About 91 cm | Handloom, khadi, some cambric and mulmul |
| 44–45 in | About 112–115 cm | Most dress cottons, viscose, crepe, many silks |
| 54 in | About 137 cm | Some linens and heavier cloths |
| 58–60 in | About 147–152 cm | Suiting, terry-wool, denim, chino twill, many knits |
Tips for using these charts
- Charts are a start, not an answer. Fit a toile before cutting good cloth.
- Write both units on your measurement card, but draft in one.
- Re-measure children every few months.
- Buying online: compare the brand’s garment measurements with a trouser you own that fits.
- Print the measurement card and keep one per person in your sewing notebook.