How to Measure Your Waist Size

Not all brands size the same, and many countries have varying standards for size, which is why knowing your numerical waist size can definitely help you find the best underwear. Follow the below steps to figure out how to measure your waist size:

Step 1: Remove your shirt. You’ll get a much more accurate reading of your waist size– that is, unless you normally tuck your shirt into your underwear.

Step 2: Locate your waist. Seems like a silly step? Well, a lot of people don’t actually know where the waist lies, which leads to some of the biggest sizing issues. If you feel around a bit, looking for where the top of your hips meets the bottom of your rib cage, and the area in between, which should feel more fleshy, and less bony, is your waist. It will generally be right below your belly button. Now you’ll need some measuring tape, which you can find at most stores. All you have to do now is hold the end of the tape against your waist, wrap the tape around, and check out the number. We find it best to let the measuring tape loose and then try again one more time to see if the results match.

…and now you know how to measure your waist size!

We have reviewed hundreds of brands sizing and have come up with the below Underwear Expert Recommended Size Chart. As there is no standardized sizing and sizing tends to vary by country, please refer to each brand’s size chart.

Size Chart:

X-Small: 26"-27"
Small: 28"-30"
Medium: 31"-33"
Large: 34"-36"
X-Large: 37"-39"
2X-Large: 40"-42"

How To Measure Your Waist Size Tip:

For a quick way to see if underwear will fit, take a pair of underwear and wrap the waist around your neck. If the two ends just meet together, then there is a very good chance that it’s your size. That’s because the circumference of your neck about half of your waist.