Waist Size Chart for Men, Women and Kids

October 19, 2022December 30, 2023 by Marie

Choosing which clothes to buy, how much money to spend, where to buy certain items, and other decisions can be stressful enough while going clothes shopping. Imagine having to return something you purchased in the incorrect size (skip straight to the waist size chart).

Waist Size Chart for Men, Women and Kids size-charts.com — _{Photo by Matthew Moloney on Unsplash}

In addition to being expensive, return shipping can also be a waste of time because, in most cases, clothing retailers will take the time to verify your purchase before refunding your money or sending you a different size if the item was the wrong size. Therefore, it is best to take accurate body measurements before buying anything to ensure you get the correct size.

Your waist size is one of the most crucial dimensions to take when ordering clothing online. The size of your waist impacts your jeans size, pant size, undergarment size, and even dress sizes. It is quite simple to determine your correct waist size; all you need is a tape measure and a waist correspond size chart to determine your accurate measurement.

waist size chart — _{Image Source: Satatland}

To help you determine your correct waist size and choose the appropriate clothing when buying online, this article includes standard size charts for men and women and answers to the most frequently asked questions about size waists on the internet.

Jump right into the Frequently Asked Questions

Waist Size Chart

Men’s Waist Size Guide for Jeans and Pants

International Sizing	Waist Size (inches)	Waist Size (cm)
XS	28-30	71-76
S	30-32	76-81
M	32-34	81-86
L	34-36	86-91
XL	36-38	91-96
XXL	40-44	101-111
3XL	46-50	117-127
4XL	52-54	132-137
5XL	56-60	142-152
6XL	62-64	157-162

Men’s Waist Size Guide for Suits

International Sizing	US Sizing	Europe Sizing	Waist Size (inches)	Waist Size (cm)
S	34	46	28	71.12
S	36	46	30	76.20
M	38	48	32	81.28
M	40	48	34	86.36
L	42	50	36	91.44
L	44	52	38	96.52
XL	46	54	40	101.60
XL	48	55	42	106.68
XXL	50	56	44	111.76
XXL	52	56	46	116.84

Men’s Waist Size Guide for Belts

Related: How to measure a belt

International Sizing	Numerical Belt Size	Waist Size (inches)	Waist (cm)	Length of Belt (inches)	Length of Belt (cm)
XS	30	26.5	67.31	28	71.12
XS	30	28	71.12	30	76.20
S	32	28.5	72.39	31	78.74
S	32	30	76.20	32	81.28
M	34	30.5	77.47	33	83.82
M	34	32	81.28	34	86.36
M	36	32.5	82.55	35	88.90
M	36	34	86.36	36	91.44
L	38	34.5	87.63	37	93.98
L	38	36	91.44	38	96.52
L	40	36.5	92.71	39	99.06
L	40	38	96.52	40	101.60
XL	42	38.5	97.79	41	104.14
XL	42	40	101.60	42	106.68
XL	44	40.5	102.87	43	109.22
XL	44	42	106.68	44	111.76
2XL	46	42.5	107.95	45	114.30
2XL	46	44	111.76	46	116.84
3XL	48	44.5	113.03	47	119.38
3XL	48	46	116.84	48	121.92
4XL	50	46.5	118.11	49	124.46
4XL	50	48	121.92	50	127.00

Men’s Waist Size Chart for Underwear

International Sizing	US & UK Sizing	Waist Size (inches)	Waist Size (cm)
S	32	30-32	76-81
M	34	32-34	81-86
L	36	34-36	86-91
XL	38	36-38	91-96
XXL	40	40-44	101-111

Women’s Waist Size for Jeans, Skirts, and Pants (Alpha Size)

International Sizing	US Sizing	Waist Size (inches)	Waist Size (cm)
XS	0	24	60.96
XS	2	25	63.50
S	4	26	66.04
S	6	27	68.58
M	8	28	71.12
M	10	29	73.66
L	12	30. 5	77.47
L	14	32	81.28
XL	16	33.5	85.09
XL	18	35	88.90

Women’s Plus Waist Size for Jeans, Skirts, and Pants

International Sizing	US Sizing	Waist Size (inches)	Waist Size (cm)
0X	12W	33	83.82
1X	14W	35	88.90
1X	16W	37	93.98
2X	18W	39	99.06
2X	20W	41	104.14
3X	22W	43	109.22
3X	24W	45	114.30
4X	26W	47	119.38
4X	28W	49	124.46
5X	30W	51	129.54
5X	32W	53	134.62

Women’s Petite Waist Size for Jeans, Skirts, and Pants

International Sizing	US Sizing	Waist Size (inches)	Waist Size (cm)
XS	2P	23. 5	59.69
S	4P	24. 5	62.23
S	6P	25. 5	64.77
M	8P	26.5	67.31
M	10P	27.5	69.85
L	12P	29	73.66
L	14P	30.5	77.47

Kid’s Waist Size Guide

Sizing	Height(in)	Height(cm)	Waist (in)	Waist (cm)
PRE	<18″	<46cm	12 – 14″	30.5 – 35.6cm
NB	18 – 21.5″	46 – 55cm	16″	40.6cm
3M	21.5 – 24″	55 – 61cm	17.5″	44.5cm
6M	24 – 27″	61 – 69cm	18.5″	47cm
9M	27 – 28.5″	69 – 72cm	19″	48cm
12M	28.5 – 30″	72 – 76cm	19.5″	50cm
18M	30 – 32″	76 – 81cm	20.25″	51.5cm
24M	32 – 34″	81 – 86cm	21″	53.3cm
2T	35 – 36.5″	88 – 93cm	21″	53.3cm
3T	36.5 – 39″	93 – 98cm	21.5″	54.6cm
4T	39 – 41.5″	99 – 105cm	22″	55.8cm
4S	40 – 42.5″	102 – 108cm	20″	50.8cm
4	40 – 42.5″	102 – 108cm	22″	55.8cm
4R	40 – 42.5″	102 – 108cm	22″	55.8cm
4H	40 – 42.5″	102 – 108cm	24.5″	62.2cm
4P	40 – 42.5″	102 – 108cm	24.5″	62.2cm
5T	41.5 – 44″	105 – 112cm	22.5″	57cm
5S	42.5 – 45″	108 – 114cm	20.5″	52cm
5	42.5 – 45″	108 – 114cm	22.5″	57cm
5R	42.5 – 45″	108 – 114cm	22.5″	57cm
5H	42.5 – 45″	108 – 114cm	25.5″	64.8cm
5P	42.5 – 45″	108 – 114cm	25.5″	64.8cm
6S	45 – 49″	114 – 125cm	21″	53cm
6	45 – 49″	114 – 125cm	23″	578cm
6R	45 – 49″	114 – 125cm	23″	578cm
6H	45 – 49″	114 – 125cm	26″	66cm
6P	45 – 48″”	114 – 121cm	26″	66cm
6-6X	45 – 48″	114 – 121cm	23″	66cm
7	49 – 51″	125 – 130cm	23.5″	59.7cm
7R	49 – 51″	125 – 130cm	23.5″	59.7cm
7S	49 – 51″	125 – 130cm	21.5″	54.6cm
7H	49 – 51″	125 – 130cm	26.75″	68
7P	49 – 51″	125 – 130cm	27.5″	69.8cm
8	51 – 54″	130 – 137cm	24.5″	62cm
8R	51 – 54″	130 – 137cm	24.5″	62cm
8S	51 – 54″	130 – 137cm	22.5″	57cm
8H	51 – 54″	130 – 137cm	27.5″	69.8cm
8P	51 – 54″	130 – 137cm	28″	71cm
10	54 – 56″	137 – 142cm	25″	63.5cm
10R	54 – 56″	137 – 142cm	25″	63.5cm
10S	54 – 56″	137 – 142cm	23″	58.4cm
10P	54 – 56″	137 – 142cm	28.5″	72.4cm
10H	54 – 56″	137 – 142cm	29″	73.6cm
10-12	54 – 59.5″	137 – 151cm	23-24″	58.-60.9cm
12	56 – 59.5″	142 – 151cm	26″	66cm
12R	56 – 59.5″	142 – 151cm	26″	66cm
12S	56 – 59.5″	142 – 151cm	24″	60.9cm
12H	56 – 59.5″	142 – 151cm	30.5″	77.5cm
12P	56 – 59.5″	142 – 151cm	30.5″	77.5cm
14	59 – 63″	150 – 160cm	28″	71cm
14R	59 – 63″	150 – 160cm	28″	71cm
14S	59 – 63″	150 – 160cm	25″	63.5cm
14H	59 – 63″	150 – 160cm	32″	81cm
14P	59 – 63″	150 – 160cm	32″	81cm

Learn more about how to measure your waist (video)

_{How to measure your waist circumference by MD Anderson Cancer Center}

Frequently Asked Questions

What is My Normal Waist Size?

The narrowest spot between the base of your ribs (around your belly button) and your hips is your natural or actual waist size. Before buying any clothing item, especially one purchased online, it is crucial to know your natural waist size.

This is because you won’t be able to try the clothing on until after you’ve bought it, and return shipping can be costly, frustrating, and time-consuming.

Use a measuring tape to circle the narrowest area between the base of your ribs and your hips to determine your natural waist size. Use our waist size charts above to compare the outcome in inches or centimeters.

Is a 34-inch waist big?

For men, 34 inches is considered average size, not large. On the other hand, a 34-inch waist is typically considered a larger size for women. Accordingly, if your waist measures 34 inches, you should get a medium for men and an extra-large for women.

However, you should verify the sizing chart of each store to be sure because some run too big or too small.

Is 32 waist size normal?

Depending on the style of clothes, a male waist size 32 is either tiny or very small. On the other hand, women with a size 32 waist have a large waist.

Therefore, getting small (or extra-small) for men’s apparel or big for women’s clothing if you have a size 32-inch waist is preferable. In case they run large or small, it is still advised to consult the store’s sizing guide.

What are the average waist measurements for a woman?

Women’s average waist measurements are around 29.9 inches (76 cm). Men have a waist that is, on average, 35.4 inches wide (90 cm). This indicates that whereas most males have waist sizes of 35.4 inches worldwide, most women tend to have waist sizes of 29.9 inches.

The need for individual sizing arises when buying apparel.

Is Waist Size Necessary When Buying Dresses?

Most times, waist size is necessary when purchasing dresses, especially if the dress is form-fitting.

Are Waist measurements more Important than Hip Size?

Both waist size and hip size are important, however in cases where you get conflicting results on the size charts, always choose the larger size.

What waist size is considered skinny?

Your body size often determines your waist size. Men with waists between 28 and 32 inches are frequently regarded as thin. They must always buy smaller sizes of jeans, pants, underwear, and suits because they have the tiniest waists.

However, women with waists between 23 and 29 inches are seen as slim. The greatest chart for slender women is the one for petite women because it includes ladies with smaller-than-average waist sizes.

Conclusion

We hope that our post on waist size charts was useful to you. Imagine having to send back an item that you bought in the wrong size. First, you will have to deal with customer service, and because clothes merchants typically verify your purchase before refunding your money or sending you a different size if the item was the wrong size, return shipping can be both costly and time-consuming.

In addition to being pricey. It is therefore best to accurately measure oneself before making any purchases.

The page above offers waist size charts for men and women as well as solutions to the most frequently asked issues on the internet to assist you in determining your precise waist size and selecting suitable clothing when shopping online.

In addition, a male waist size of 32 is either small or very small, whereas a woman’s size of 34 inches is sized as large. Remember that your natural or normal waist is the narrowest area between the base of your ribs and your hips. For men, a waist measurement of 34 inches is considered average size, not large. However, it is crucial always to verify the stores’ sizing conversions because some of them run large or small.

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Picture in this post is by Jannes Jacobs on Unsplash