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A woman in her 50s standing in a bedroom, wearing a fitted t-shirt and underwear, holding a soft tape measure around her hips
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Measurementship measurement

How far below your waist do you measure your hips?

Key takeaways

  • Hip measurement is taken 7 to 9 inches below the natural waist.
  • A second hip measurement, 2 inches lower, is useful if weight is carried at the upper thigh.
  • Comparing both numbers to a size chart gives a fuller picture than a single measurement.

Where the measurement starts

Start from your natural waist, the narrowest point of your torso. The hip measurement itself is not taken there, but a set distance below it: at least 7 inches down, and as much as 9 inches down, depending on your proportions.

Why it's a range and not one number

Bodies differ in torso length, so a single fixed distance below the waist would not land on the hip on everyone. The 7 to 9 inch range gives room to find the fullest point of the hip and seat rather than a fixed spot that may miss it.

When to take a second measurement

If you carry weight at the upper thigh, take a second hip measurement 2 inches lower than the first one. Recording both numbers means you have more than one data point to check against a size chart.

  • Where do you measure hips for pants?
  • How many inches below the waist is the hip measurement taken?
  • Do you need a second hip measurement?

Frequently asked questions

Is the hip measurement always taken the same distance below the waist?
No. It falls somewhere in a range, from 7 inches below the natural waist to 9 inches below it, rather than at one fixed point.
Who should take a second hip measurement?
Anyone who carries weight at the upper thigh. That second measurement is taken 2 inches below the first hip measurement.
What do I do with two hip numbers?
Keep both. Having the measurement taken 7 to 9 inches below the waist, plus the one taken 2 inches lower, gives you two figures to check against a size chart instead of one.

Sources

  • JEGINS Fit measurement standard

    Our published editorial standard for the figures used in this guide.

    JEGINS Fit · Accessed September 5, 2026

  • Waist - Wikipedia

    Background reference for the definitions used in this guide.

    Accessed September 5, 2026

Scope and limits of this guide

This guide describes what we have measured or sourced. It does not cover every brand, and body measurements vary: use it as a starting point and check the specific product page for its evidence level before buying.

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