How to Measure Your Inseam?

The inseam is the length of the inside of your leg, from the crotch down to the ankle. It's the measurement used to buy pants, jeans, and to size a bike. There are two easy ways to get it.

Method 1 — Measure a pair of pants that fit well (easiest):

1. Lay a pair of well-fitting pants flat on the floor or a table, smoothing out wrinkles.
2. Find the crotch seam (where the four seams meet).
3. Measure in a straight line from that crotch seam down to the bottom hem of the leg.
4. That number, usually in inches, is your inseam.

Method 2 — Measure your body:

1. Stand up straight against a wall, ideally barefoot or in socks.
2. Have someone measure (or use a book pressed up to your crotch, marked against the wall) from the crotch down to the floor along the inside of your leg.
3. Record the length in inches. For pants, you may subtract a small amount depending on the shoe/hem style you want.

Quick reference: Pants sizes are often written as two numbers, like 32 × 34 — the first is the waist, the second is the inseam.

Tips: Keep the tape measure straight and taut, wear the type of shoes you'll wear with the pants if measuring your body, and measure twice to be sure.