Nine measurements. Ten minutes. Everything your tailor needs to build you clothes that fit like they were made for you -- because they will be. This is the only self-measurement guide you will ever need.
Every custom garment starts with numbers. A tailor can create the most beautiful suit in the world, but if the shoulder is half an inch too wide or the sleeve comes up short, the entire piece looks wrong. These 9 measurements cover every dimension your tailor needs -- from the collar of your dress shirt down to the break of your trousers.
Whether you are ordering a custom suit from Nathan Tailors in Hoi An, Vietnam, or simply want to buy better-fitting clothes online, accurate body measurements eliminate guesswork and costly alterations. You can take all of these at home in about 10 minutes with nothing more than a fabric tape measure.
Not a metal construction tape. A soft tailor's tape is essential for accurate body measurements.
Strongly recommended for shoulder, sleeve, and back measurements. You can do most alone with a mirror.
Lets you verify tape placement when measuring solo.
Wear a thin t-shirt and fitted pants. Bulky clothing adds inches to your measurements.
Write down each number immediately. Do not rely on memory across 9 measurements.
Remove shoes for all lower-body measurements. Stand barefoot or in thin socks.
Here is every measurement you need, what it is for, and how hard it is to take on your own. Click any measurement to jump to its detailed instructions, or follow the link to its full dedicated guide.
| # | Measurement | Used For | Difficulty | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neck | Dress shirts, collars | Easy | Full guide |
| 2 | Shoulder Width | Jackets, blazers, coats | Medium | Full guide |
| 3 | Chest | Suits, shirts, vests | Easy | Full guide |
| 4 | Waist | Pants, suits, shirts | Easy | Full guide |
| 5 | Hip | Pants, skirts, dresses | Easy | Full guide |
| 6 | Sleeve Length | Shirts, jackets, coats | Medium | Full guide |
| 7 | Bicep | Shirts, jackets | Easy | Full guide |
| 8 | Inseam | Pants, trousers, jeans | Medium | Full guide |
| 9 | Thigh | Pants, trousers | Easy | Full guide |
Wrap the tape around the base of your neck, just below the Adam's apple. Keep one finger between the tape and your skin for comfort. Add 1/2 inch to the raw number for dress shirts -- this gives you room to breathe and button the collar without strain.
Pro tip: If you are between sizes, always round up. A collar that is too tight is far more noticeable (and uncomfortable) than one that is slightly loose.
Have someone measure straight across your back from the outer edge of one shoulder bone to the other. The tape should run along the top of your shoulders, parallel to the floor. Your arms should hang naturally at your sides.
Pro tip: This measurement is nearly impossible to take accurately by yourself. If you have no helper, measure a well-fitting jacket's shoulder seam to seam while it lies flat, then compare.
Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your armpits and across your shoulder blades. The tape must stay parallel to the floor. Breathe normally and measure on a natural exhale -- do not puff out your chest or suck in.
Pro tip: Drop your arms after positioning the tape. Lifting your arms tightens the chest muscles and can give you a measurement 1-2 inches too small.
Find your natural waist -- the narrowest point of your torso, usually about 1 inch above your belly button. Wrap the tape snugly but without compressing the skin. Important: your trouser waist sits 2-3 inches lower than your natural waist, so tell your tailor which measurement you are providing.
Pro tip: Do not hold your breath or suck in your stomach. Your clothes need to fit the real you, not the "posing for a photo" you.
Stand with your feet together. Measure around the widest part of your hips and buttocks, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. This is typically 7-9 inches below your natural waist.
Pro tip: Look in a side mirror to make sure the tape has not dipped down in the back. The most common error is angling the tape lower behind you than in front.
Bend your arm at 90 degrees as if checking a wristwatch. Have someone measure from the center back of your neck, across the top of your shoulder, down the outside of your arm, and over the elbow to your wrist bone.
Pro tip: The 90-degree bend is critical. A straight-arm measurement will come up 1-2 inches short because it does not account for the fabric needed to move your elbow.
Let your arm hang relaxed at your side. Wrap the tape around the thickest part of your upper arm, about halfway between your shoulder and elbow. Do not flex.
Pro tip: If you work out regularly or have muscular arms, add 1/2 inch to this measurement for comfort. Sleeves that are tight around the bicep restrict movement and wrinkle badly.
Remove your shoes and stand straight with feet shoulder-width apart. Measure from the crotch seam (highest point of your inner thigh) straight down the inside of your leg to your ankle bone. Keep the tape taut but not pulling.
Pro tip: The easiest solo method: measure a well-fitting pair of pants from the crotch seam to the hem while they lie flat. This avoids the awkwardness of measuring yourself.
Measure around the widest part of your upper leg, which is usually right at the crotch line where your leg meets your body. Keep the tape level and snug without compressing.
Pro tip: If you have athletic or muscular thighs, communicate this to your tailor. The thigh measurement determines how much room you get in the upper leg of your pants.
Use this table to record your measurements as you go. Fill in inches, centimeters, or both. When you are finished, save them digitally using our measurement tool so your tailor can access them instantly.
| Measurement | Inches | Centimeters | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Neck | ___" | ___ cm | ________ |
| 2. Shoulder Width | ___" | ___ cm | ________ |
| 3. Chest | ___" | ___ cm | ________ |
| 4. Waist | ___" | ___ cm | ________ |
| 5. Hip | ___" | ___ cm | ________ |
| 6. Sleeve Length | ___" | ___ cm | ________ |
| 7. Bicep | ___" | ___ cm | ________ |
| 8. Inseam | ___" | ___ cm | ________ |
| 9. Thigh | ___" | ___ cm | ________ |
Take every measurement at least twice. If the two numbers differ by more than 1/4 inch, measure a third time and use the middle value.
Metal tapes do not conform to your body's curves. A flexible tailor's tape costs a few dollars and makes all the difference.
A thick sweater or hoodie can add a full inch to your chest and waist numbers. Wear a thin t-shirt or measure over underwear.
Do not suck in your stomach, puff out your chest, or stand unnaturally straight. Your clothes need to fit your normal posture.
You should be able to fit one finger between the tape and your body. If the tape digs in, it is too tight. If it sags, it is too loose.
Your body swells slightly throughout the day. Morning measurements tend to be the most consistent baseline.
You need a minimum of 9 key body measurements for a complete custom suit: neck, shoulder width, chest, waist, hip, sleeve length, bicep, inseam, and thigh. Professional tailors at Nathan Tailors may take additional measurements (like back length and rise) during your fitting, but these 9 give you and your tailor the foundation for a perfectly fitted suit.
You can take most measurements alone using a mirror, but having a helper significantly improves accuracy for shoulder width, sleeve length, and back-related measurements. If measuring solo, use a full-length mirror and take each measurement twice. For the most accurate results, Nathan Tailors recommends having a friend or family member assist you.
For custom tailoring, your measurements should be accurate to within 1/4 inch (0.5 cm). A half-inch error on your chest measurement can mean the difference between a comfortable jacket and one that pulls across the buttons. Always measure twice and use the average. Professional tailors build in ease allowances based on your exact numbers, so precision matters.
Either works, but be consistent throughout all measurements. Most international tailors, including Nathan Tailors in Hoi An, work comfortably with both inches and centimeters. If you are ordering custom clothing online or from an overseas tailor, centimeters tend to be more precise since they offer finer increments. Our measurement form accepts both units.
Re-measure yourself every 6 to 12 months, or immediately after any significant body change such as weight loss, weight gain, or a new fitness routine. Even a 5-pound change can shift your chest and waist measurements enough to affect fit. Before ordering a new custom garment, always verify your measurements are current.
You have taken all 9 measurements. Now store them digitally with Nathan Tailors so they are ready whenever you want to order a custom suit, shirt, or pair of trousers -- whether you visit us in Hoi An or order remotely.
Need more detail on a specific measurement? Each guide below covers one measurement in depth with common mistakes, reference charts, and alternative methods.
Complete library of tailoring measurement tutorials from Nathan Tailors
Done Measuring?
Save your 9 measurements with Nathan Tailors