How to Use a Measuring Tape to Measure Your Body

Pick the right kind of tape

For body measurements, a flexible tape is the best choice. Tailors use soft cloth or fiberglass tapes because they bend around curves and lie flat against skin or clothing. They also do not spring back or dig in the way a stiff blade can.

A construction tape is built for a different job. Its curved steel blade is made to stay straight, which helps when you measure a wall or a board but works against you around a waist. If a construction tape is all you have, it can still do the job with some patience. Our best measuring tape page compares these tapes by blade length, standout, lock type and weight, and several are worth knowing about if you also do home projects.

Get ready before you measure

A few minutes of setup makes your numbers more reliable. Measuring the same way each time matters more than any single reading, especially if you want to track changes.

• Wear thin, close-fitting clothing or measure against bare skin.
• Stand up straight with your feet together and your arms relaxed at your sides.
• Breathe normally. Do not hold your breath or pull in your stomach.
• Use a mirror or ask a helper so you can check that the tape stays level.
• Keep a pen and paper handy and write each number down right away.
• Check that your tape starts at its end. Some cheap tapes have a worn or missing first inch.

Step by step: how to take each measurement

The method is the same for every spot. Only the location changes. If you are measuring a female body for clothing, such as a dress or bra size, the same steps apply to the bust, waist and hips.

• Hold the zero end of the tape in one hand, against your body at the starting point.
• Wrap the tape around the body part and bring it back to meet the zero end.
• Make sure the tape is parallel to the floor all the way around. A tape that slopes gives a larger number than the real one.
• Pull it snug enough to stay in place, but not so tight that it presses into the skin. You should be able to slide one finger under it.
• Read the number where the end of the tape overlaps the zero mark.
• Repeat once and compare. If the two numbers differ, measure a third time and use the one that appears twice.

Where to place the tape

These are the most common spots on a sizing chart. Measuring in the same places each time lets you compare results over weeks or months.

Wherever the tape sits, check the back in a mirror. It tends to ride up behind you, which throws off the result.

Using a construction tape on your body

A locking steel tape can work if you handle it with care. The blade is stiff, so wrap it around once, slide the hook end into place and read the number where the blade meets the case or where it crosses itself. Some tapes show a mark on the hook end, so check how yours is built before you trust a reading.

Dual scales help here, since many sizing charts use centimeters. For example, the Amazon Basics 16 ft tape has both inch and metric markings, which saves you from converting by hand. A self-locking tape also holds its length while you read it, which is handy when you are measuring alone.

Safety note: a steel blade has sharp edges and can snap back fast. Keep it away from your face and bare skin, hold the blade while it retracts, and never let it whip back across your body.

Can you measure height or ring size with a tape?

Height works well with a tape if you set it up properly. Stand with your back and heels against a flat wall, look straight ahead, and have someone place a flat object such as a hardcover book on your head, level with the wall. Mark the wall at the underside of the book, step away and measure from the floor to the mark. A tape with long standout helps because the blade stays rigid when held against a wall. The Klein Tools 9225, for instance, lists a 13 ft standout, which is the longest in our lineup. If you use a ladder to reach the mark on a high wall, have someone steady it.

Ring size is a different story. A rigid tape cannot wrap around a finger well, and a small error in the number leads to a ring that does not fit. Instead, wrap a thin strip of paper or a piece of string around the base of your finger, mark where it overlaps, then lay it flat and measure the length in millimeters against a ruler. Use the chart from the jeweler you are buying from, since sizing systems differ. Measure at the end of the day, when fingers are usually at their largest, and check a couple of times.

Common mistakes to avoid

Most bad readings come from a few habits that are easy to fix.

Pulling the tape too tight is the biggest one. It compresses the skin and gives a number smaller than your actual size. Letting the tape sag in the back is the second, and it makes the number too large. A third is measuring over bulky clothing, which adds extra inches.

If you are buying clothes, always check the brand's own size chart and measure again before ordering. Charts vary between brands, and the right size for one may not suit another.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I measure my body?

Every few weeks is enough for most people. Measure at the same time of day, in similar clothing, so the numbers are comparable.

Can I measure myself without help?

Yes for the bust, waist, hips and arms. Use a mirror to check that the tape is level. For the inseam or height, a helper makes it more accurate.

How do I convert inches to centimeters?

Multiply inches by 2.54. If your tape has both scales, you can read the centimeter number directly and skip the math.

Should I measure over clothes?

Measure over thin, close-fitting clothing or bare skin. Thick or loose layers add extra length and can make you order a size that is too big.