Measurement Guide
How to Measure Bust, Waist & Hips
Your body type result is only as accurate as your measurements. Here is exactly where to place the tape for bust, waist, and hips — plus the mistakes that most often throw the numbers off.
Measurement Guide
How to Take Measurements
Accurate measurements give accurate results. Here's exactly where and how to measure for women and men.
Bust
Fullest point of your chestWrap the tape across the fullest part of your breasts, keeping it parallel to the floor and level across your back. Do not compress the tissue.
Wear a well-fitting (non-padded) bra for the most accurate reading.
Waist
Narrowest part of your torsoFind the natural indent about 2–3 cm above your navel. Breathe out gently, then measure — do not hold your breath or suck in.
If unsure, bend sideways — the crease that forms is your natural waist.
Hips
Widest point of hips & bottomStand with feet together. Wrap the tape around the widest part of your hips and buttocks, keeping it parallel to the floor.
Usually 18–23 cm below your natural waist, but check by feel for the widest point.
Female measurement points
Use a soft tape
A flexible tailor's tape is best. A piece of string + ruler works too.
Stand naturally
Stand on a flat surface in your normal posture. Breathe normally — do not suck in.
Keep it level
The tape should be parallel to the floor all the way around your body.
Measure twice
Take each measurement twice and use the average for the most reliable result.
All calculations are percentage-based — accurate in both centimetres and inches.
Why bust, waist, and hips specifically?
Body shape classification (hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle) is not based on your overall size — it is based on the ratio between these three measurements. Two people with very different total sizes can share the exact same body shape if the proportion between bust, waist, and hips is the same. That is why getting all three numbers accurately, rather than estimating one or two, matters more than the tape measure brand or the exact centimetre precision.
A waist-to-hip ratio calculation uses only two of these three numbers — waist and hips — and is used separately as a general health-screening signal rather than a style classification. If you only need that ratio, our waist-to-hip ratio calculator takes just those two measurements.
Have all three numbers?
Find your body type instantly.
Just need the ratio?
Try the waist-to-hip ratio calculator.
Need more than bust, waist, and hips — like torso length or inseam for clothing fit? See the full body measurement guide.
Frequently asked questions
What tape measure should I use for bust, waist, and hips?
A flexible, soft tailor's tape measure. If you don't have one, a piece of non-stretch string held against a ruler works — measure the string length rather than the body directly.
Should I measure over clothing?
No — measure directly against skin or over thin, well-fitting underwear for the most accurate reading. Thick clothing or bulky seams can add several centimetres to your result.
Why does my bust-waist-hip measurement not match my body type result?
The most common causes are: the tape not being level all the way around, holding your breath or sucking in while measuring the waist, or measuring over bulky clothing. Take each measurement twice, breathing normally, and use the average.
What do I do with my bust, waist, and hip numbers once I have them?
Enter them into a body type calculator — it compares the ratio between the three to classify your shape (hourglass, pear, apple, or rectangle for women). You can also use your waist and hip numbers alone in a waist-to-hip ratio calculator.