How to measure swim shorts
Every point, drawn on the garment so there is no guessing where the tape goes.
Quick answer
Lay the swim shorts flat and relaxed, then measure six points: waist, inseam, hip, rise, length and hem, in fit-impact order. Stretch panels and elastic waists mean waist is read relaxed across the band, the line most listings skip. Hover or tap each step on the diagram to see the tape. Sizely builds a chart buyers trust.
A man checking board shorts against a pair he owns looks at the relaxed waist first, then inseam to judge leg length, and hip for how the seat sits. Generic listings give a single waist number and stop. Swim shorts with elastic or stretch panels carry some negative ease, cut a touch smaller so the waist gives, so a flat number can read narrower than the body it fits. This page draws all six points on the relaxed garment, so your reading matches the buyer's.
- A
Waist
The fit-decider on shorts, so it leads. Lay the shorts flat and measure straight across the top of the waistband, relaxed. Tap this step to see the line; for an elastic or drawcord waist, let it rest unstretched rather than pulling it taut for a flattering number.Double it for the full waist circumference, and note any drawcord or elastic adds stretch beyond that.
- B
Inseam
From the crotch seam straight down the inner leg to the hem. This is the number that tells a buyer how far down the thigh the shorts land, the second thing most check after waist.Recorded as-is. Do not double.
- C
Hip
Across the widest point of the seat with the shorts flat and relaxed. It sets whether the shorts sit smoothly over the hips or pull, especially on a fuller seat.Double it for the full hip circumference.
- D
Rise
From the crotch seam up to the top of the waistband at the front. A taller rise sits higher on the waist; a shorter rise sits low on the hips.Recorded as-is. Do not double.
- E
Length
The full outer length down the side from waistband to hem. Tap the step to see where the line runs, since this is the head-to-toe length a buyer pictures on the leg.Recorded as-is. Do not double.
- F
Hem
Across the leg opening at the bottom of one leg. A wide hem reads loose and boardshort-style; a narrower hem tapers closer to the thigh.Double it for the full leg-opening circumference.
Measure flat and relaxed, never stretched. Let an elastic or drawcord waist settle to its natural length before the tape touches it, since pulling a stretch waistband to a bigger number sets the buyer up for a return. Waist, hip and hem are across runs that double to a body circumference; inseam, rise and length are single runs recorded exactly as measured.
Swim shorts size reference
| Size | Waist | Inseam | Hip | Rise | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 14.5 | 7 | 20 | 11 | 16 |
| M | 15.5 | 7.5 | 21 | 11.5 | 17 |
| L | 17 | 8 | 22.5 | 12 | 18 |
| XL | 18.5 | 8.5 | 24 | 12.5 | 19 |
| 2XL | 20 | 9 | 25.5 | 13 | 20 |
Frequently asked
Should I measure swim shorts at the waist stretched or relaxed?
Relaxed. Most swim shorts have an elastic or drawcord waist, and a stretched reading overstates the real size. Lay them flat, let the waistband settle to its natural length, and measure across the top from edge to edge. A buyer measuring a pair they own the same way will match your number, which is the point of listing it.
Do I double the waist measurement on swim shorts?
For the body circumference, yes. Waist, hip and hem are taken across one flat layer, so double each to estimate the measurement around the body. Inseam, rise and length are single runs, so the flat number is already the real number. For the chart, list the relaxed flat figure since a buyer can verify it against shorts they own.
What is the difference between inseam and outseam on swim shorts?
Inseam runs from the crotch seam straight down the inner leg to the hem, and it is the number most size charts list. The outseam, or total length, runs down the outer side from the waistband to the hem and includes the rise. Inseam tells a buyer how the legs land; outseam tells them the overall length on the body.
Why does the flat waist read smaller than my body?
Swim shorts with elastic or stretch panels are cut with some negative ease, so the relaxed flat waist sits a little under the body it fits, then stretches to the wearer. A flat waist of 15 inches, doubled to 30, can fit a body waist a couple inches larger thanks to the give. List the relaxed number and let buyers compare it to a pair they already own.
What size swim shorts am I in different countries?
Men's waist sizing shifts between US, UK and EU labels, so the same shorts carry different numbers by region. For the full conversion, see our men's international size chart. Pair that chart with your own relaxed flat numbers and an overseas buyer can pick the right size without guessing.
Should I list swim shorts in inches or centimeters?
Either works as long as you stay consistent and label the unit. Swimwear sells across borders, so showing both is wise, since one buyer thinks in inches and another in centimeters. Sizely lists both on every chart, so no shopper has to convert a relaxed measurement in their head.
Related size charts & tools
Men's international size chart
Women's international size chartSources: Sizely garment engine, spec #53 (Swim Shorts), six named measurement points. ISO 8559 body-measurement standard (representative ranges only). Last verified June 2026.
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