How to measure

How to measure a belt

Every point, drawn on the garment so there is no guessing where the tape goes.

Quick answer

A belt carries three numbers: Length A to the middle hole, Length B end to end, and Width across the strap, in that order. The sizing length runs from the fold at the buckle to the middle hole, not the leather tip, the spot most listings get wrong. Sizely keeps all three on one chart.

A buyer matching your belt to one that fits checks the length to the worn hole first, since that single run is the belt size. Most listings quote the tip-to-tip number, which runs long and gets returned. This page draws both length runs and the width on the actual strap, so the buyer measures the same points you do and orders the right size the first time.

Create your free size chart

A
Length A
The sizing length: from the fold where the leather wraps the buckle bar to the center of the middle hole. This is the number that becomes the belt size, so it leads. Hover or tap this step to see exactly where the run starts and where it stops, since starting at the leather tip instead of the buckle fold is the usual mistake.Recorded as-is, measured along the strap. Do not double.
B
Length B
The full strap run, from the fold at the buckle to the very end of the leather tip. Tap the step to follow the line down the belt. This gives the total length and, paired with Length A, shows how much adjustment range the holes allow.Recorded as-is, measured end to end. Do not double.
C
Width
Straight across the face of the strap, from one edge to the other. Width decides whether the belt feeds through the loops, so a 1.5 inch strap will not pass a loop cut for 1.25 inches.Recorded as-is, measured across the strap. Do not double.

Measure the belt flat on a table, laid straight with no curl or twist, never stretched. Belt length is read along the leather, not across it, so none of these three numbers doubles. The two lengths are single runs, Length A to the center hole for sizing and Length B end to end for the full strap; Width is the straight measure across the strap face. Belt size usually runs about two inches larger than the wearer's pant waist, so a 34 inch waist takes a size 36 belt.

Belt size reference

Representative flat measurements in inches, ordered by fit-impact. Your real numbers go on your own chart.
Size	Length A	Length B	Width
30	30	35	1.5
32	32	37	1.5
34	34	39	1.5
36	36	41	1.5
38	38	43	1.5

Frequently asked

What belt size am I?

Take your pant waist size and add about two inches, so a 34 inch pant waist takes a size 36 belt. That puts the buckle pin in the middle hole, which leaves room to adjust in or out. If you only have an old belt, measure from the buckle fold to the hole you actually use, not to the leather tip. For the pant-waist numbers behind this, see our pants size chart.

Where exactly do I measure belt length from?

Start at the fold where the leather wraps around the buckle bar, not at the metal edge and not at the pointed leather tip. Run the tape to the center of the middle hole for the sizing length. Measuring from the tip overstates the size by several inches and is the most common reason a belt arrives too big.

What is the difference between belt length and belt size?

Belt size is the length from the buckle fold to the middle hole, and it is usually printed as a number two inches above the wearer's pant waist. Belt length end to end is longer, because it includes the buckle overlap and the tail past the holes. List the size number a buyer expects, then add the flat length runs so they can verify against a belt they own.

Should I measure a belt in inches or centimeters?

Either works, as long as you stay consistent and label the unit on the listing. Many belt sizes are sold in inch numbers in the US and centimeter numbers in Europe, so showing both saves a buyer from converting in their head. Sizely lists both on every chart.

Does belt width matter when reselling?

Yes, because the strap has to pass through the wearer's belt loops. Dress belts usually run about 1.25 to 1.4 inches wide and casual or jean belts about 1.5 inches, and a wide strap will jam in a narrow loop. State the width in your listing so a buyer knows it fits their trousers before they buy.