The inseam is the length from the crotch to the bottom of the leg, and knowing it helps you buy trousers that fit without endless trying on. This shows two reliable ways to measure it: from a pair that fits and from your own body.
What you'll need
- A tape measure
- A pair of well-fitting trousers
- Optional: a helper
Step by step
- Pick trousers that fitChoose a pair of trousers whose length you like. Measuring an existing garment is often more accurate than measuring your leg alone.
- Lay them flatButton the trousers and smooth them out flat on a table or the floor, lining up the two legs neatly on top of each other.
- Measure the inner seamRun the tape along the inside seam from the crotch point straight down to the bottom hem of the leg. That length is the inseam.
- Or measure your bodyTo measure yourself, stand straight against a wall and have someone measure from the top of your inner thigh down to the floor or ankle.
- Note the numberRecord the measurement in inches or centimetres. Trouser sizes often list waist by inseam, such as 32 by 34, where 34 is the inseam.
Handy tips
- Wear the shoes you'll usually pair with the trousers when measuring your body, since heel height changes the ideal length.
- Measure straight and taut, not along a curve, so the number isn't longer than the real inseam.
- For your body measurement, a helper gives a far more accurate result than trying to bend and read it yourself.
FAQ
What is an inseam?
The inseam is the distance from the crotch seam to the bottom of the trouser leg, measured along the inside of the leg. It sets the overall leg length.
Is inseam the same as leg length?
They are closely related. Inseam measures the inner leg from the crotch down, which is the number clothing brands use to describe leg length.
How do I measure inseam without another person?
The easiest solo method is to measure a pair of trousers that already fit, laying them flat and running the tape down the inside seam.