How to measure a skirt
Every point, drawn on the garment so there is no guessing where the tape goes.
Quick answer
Lay the skirt flat and measure four points in fit-impact order: waist, length, hem and width. Waist decides the size, so read it edge to edge across a fastened, relaxed waistband, never stretched. Hover or tap each step on the diagram to place the tape. Sizely turns those numbers into a size chart buyers trust.
A shopper sizing a skirt looks at the waist first, because that one number decides whether it fastens at all. Length is the very next question, since it sets a mini apart from a midi. Fast listings often give a waist and a rough length and stop. Drawing the waist, length, hem and width on the actual skirt means a buyer can match every line against a skirt they already own and love.
- A
Waist
Fasten the skirt and lay the tape across the top of the waistband from edge to edge. Tap this step for the exact line. Waist is the number that decides the size, and reading it stretched or below the band throws the whole listing off.Double it for the full waist circumference.
- B
Length
Measure straight down from the top of the waistband to the bottom hem, following the center of the skirt. The diagram shows where the run begins and ends. This is what separates a mini from a midi or maxi, so it is the second thing a buyer checks.Recorded as-is. Do not double.
- C
Hem
Across the bottom opening of the skirt, edge to edge. A wide hem reads full or A-line, a narrow one reads pencil or fitted, so buyers read this to picture how the skirt moves and how much room it gives at the knee.Double it for the full hem circumference.
- D
Width
Across the widest part of the body of the skirt, usually at the hip below the waistband. The diagram marks the line. On a fitted skirt this is the snuggest point through the hip, so it tells a buyer whether it will pull across the seat.Double it for the full circumference at that point.
Measure the skirt flat and relaxed, never stretched at the waistband. Fasten any zip or hook, smooth the fabric on the table, and lay the tape flat without tension. Waist, hem and width are read across one layer, so double each for the full body circumference. Length is a single vertical run and stays exactly as measured, with no doubling.
Skirt size reference
| Size | Waist | Length | Hem | Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 12.5 | 22 | 17 | 17 |
| S | 13.5 | 22.5 | 18 | 18 |
| M | 14.5 | 23 | 19 | 19 |
| L | 16 | 23.5 | 20.5 | 20.5 |
| XL | 17.5 | 24 | 22 | 22 |
Frequently asked
How do I measure a skirt waist that has no stretch?
Lay the skirt flat with the zip or hook fastened, then measure straight across the top of the waistband from one edge to the other. Double that flat number to get the body waist, so a 14 inch flat waist is roughly a 28 inch waist. With no stretch in the fabric there is no give, so the flat reading needs to be accurate to the quarter inch.
What size am I in skirts from these measurements?
Double the flat waist for the body waist in inches, then match it to a size run, since skirt sizing leans heavily on the waist. Cut and brand shift the result, so compare the flat waist and hip against a skirt that already fits you. For the full conversion across US, UK and EU, see our women's international size chart.
How do I measure the length of a skirt?
Measure straight down from the top of the waistband to the bottom hem, keeping the tape along the center of the skirt rather than the side, where the cut can be longer. Length is a single vertical run, so you record it as measured and never double it. It is the number that tells a buyer whether the skirt is a mini, midi or maxi on them.
How do I measure a flared or A-line skirt?
Measure the waist and length the same way, then take the hem across the full bottom opening, which on a flared skirt is much wider than the waist. That wide hem is the sweep, and doubling it gives the full hem circumference. Listing both the waist and the hem lets a buyer see how much the skirt flares out before they buy.
Should I measure a skirt in inches or centimeters?
Either works, as long as you stay consistent and label the unit on your listing. Skirt waist and length are quoted in inches in the US and in centimeters across most of Europe, so showing both reaches every buyer without a conversion. Sizely puts both units on every chart automatically.
Related size charts & tools
Pants sizes for men and women
Women's international size chart
International dress size chartSources: Sizely garment engine, spec #100 (Skirt Fitted), four named measurement points. ISO 8559 body-measurement standard for garment sizing (representative ranges only). Last verified June 2026.
Make the right size obvious.
Join 85,000+ sellers showing measurements buyers trust. Free to start, no card needed.