How to Measure Inseam (For Men and Women)
Direct Answer: To know how to measure inseam on pants, lay them flat and measure straight along the inside leg seam from the 4-way crotch seam intersection down to the bottom ankle hem. For body measurements, stand barefoot against a wall with a hardcover book at your crotch, then subtract 0.75" for shoe clearance.
Inseam Converter & Pant Break Calculator
Convert inches/cm, preview cuff break adjustments, and auto-fill the printable worksheet:
Half Break (Standard): Cuff rests lightly on the front of your shoe with a single clean crease.
How Do You Measure Inseam of Pants Laid Flat
Lay a pair of pants that already fit you well on a flat table. Measure from the 4-way crotch seam straight down the inner leg seam to the bottom edge of the hem.
Pants folded flat lengthwise.
Fold top leg over waistband.
START at crotch seam — END at bottom hem.
Method 2: Measure On Your Body (Hardcover Book Method)
- Stand barefoot against a wall: Keep heels touching the baseboard and feet 6" apart.
- Tuck a hardcover book at your groin: Place the spine facing up firmly against your pelvic bone (level against the wall).
- Measure spine top to floor: Record the floor-to-spine height, then subtract 0.75" (2 cm) so your cuffs sit cleanly on shoes.
Subtracting 0.75" keeps cuffs from dragging on the ground. Note: A laid-flat garment inseam is typically ~0.5" shorter than your bare body crotch-to-floor measurement because pants sit higher on the waist when worn.
How to Measure Inseam Men and Women: Size Chart by Height
| Category | Height Range | Standard Inseam (Inches) | Standard Inseam (CM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men — Short | 5'5" – 5'8" | 28" – 30" | 71 – 76 cm |
| Men — Regular | 5'9" – 6'0" | 32" | 81 cm |
| Men — Tall | 6'1" – 6'4"+ | 34" – 36" | 86 – 91 cm |
| Women — Petite | Under 5'3" | 28" – 29" | 71 – 74 cm |
| Women — Regular | 5'4" – 5'7" | 30" – 31" | 76 – 79 cm |
| Women — Tall | 5'8" & Over | 33" – 34" | 84 – 86 cm |
Pants Inseam Measurement Worksheet
1. Recorded Inseam & Break Target (Crotch Seam to Bottom Hem)
Lay flat • Do not stretch| Profile | Base Inseam | Break Style | Target Hem (IN) | Target Hem (CM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Sizing | 32.0" (81.3 cm) | Half Break (0") | 32.0 in | 81.3 cm |
| Extra Pair | _______ in / cm | [ ] None [ ] Half [ ] Full | _______ in | _______ cm |
* Tailor Tip: Wash 100% cotton/raw denim before hemming, and bring the exact shoes you plan to wear to your fitting.
Common Inseam Measuring Mistakes
Bending Down to Read the Tape
Looking down tilts your pelvis and shortens your reading by 1" to 2". Stand straight against a wall or have a partner read the tape at the floor.
Starting at the Bottom of the Zipper Fly
Never measure from the base of the zipper. Always start at the 4-way crotch seam intersection where the front, back, and leg seams meet.
Ignoring Footwear Heel Height
Dress boots and heels sit 1" to 2" higher than flat sneakers. Always choose your target inseam for the specific shoes you wear with those pants.
Hemming Raw Cotton Denim Before Washing
100% cotton and unsanforized denim can shrink 1" to 2" vertically on the first wash. Wash and dry new cotton pants once before hemming.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I measure my inseam?
Inseam is the length of the inner leg, from the crotch seam down to the bottom of the hem. The easiest accurate method is to lay a pair of well-fitting pants flat and measure from the crotch seam to the hem along the inside leg. You can also measure on your body, as explained in the steps above.
How do I measure inseam for men?
Stand barefoot with your back to a wall and feet shoulder-width apart. Slide a hardcover book up between your legs, snug against the crotch, mark the top edge of the book on the wall, then measure from the floor to the mark. Most men's inseams fall between about 28 and 36 inches.
How do I measure inseam for women?
Use the same method as for men: floor to crotch while standing barefoot, or crotch seam to hem on pants that fit well. Women's inseams commonly run from about 26 inches (petite) to 34 inches (tall), with regular often around 30 to 32 inches, but this varies by brand.
How do I measure inseam on pants, jeans or shorts?
Lay the garment flat, smooth out wrinkles, and measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the leg opening along the inner seam. For jeans, measure after washing because denim can shrink slightly. Shorts commonly have inseams of about 5, 7, 9 or 11 inches.
What inseam should I get for my height?
As a rough guide, inseam is about 45% of your height, so a person who is 70 inches (5'10") tall often needs an inseam around 31 to 32 inches. Fit, rise and how much break you like in the pant leg change this, so measuring pants you already like is more reliable. Use the height matcher in the calculator above.
What is a pants break and does it change my inseam?
The break is the fold that forms where the hem rests on your shoe. No break means the hem just touches the shoe, half break has a slight fold, and full break has a deeper fold. More break needs a slightly longer inseam. The calculator above includes a break selector.
How do I measure inseam for a bike?
Stand barefoot with your feet about 6 to 8 inches apart and your back to a wall. Press a hardcover book firmly upward between your legs, like a saddle, mark the top edge on the wall, and measure from the floor to the mark. This bike inseam is used to compare against a frame's standover height.
What is the difference between inseam and outseam?
Inseam is measured along the inside of the leg from the crotch to the hem. Outseam is measured along the outside of the leg from the top of the waistband to the hem, so it is longer. See our outseam measurement guide for details.