JEGINSFit
Fit Finder
A photorealistic editorial portrait of a woman in mature adulthood wearing plain jeans and a simple top, standing in a relaxed pose with her hand near her hip, no visible logos or brand marks.
AI-generated editorial illustration
Measurementship measurement

How to measure your hips for jeans

Key takeaways

  • The fullest part of the seat is the hip reference point.
  • The standard places that point about 7 inches below the natural waist at the low end.
  • The standard places that point about 9 inches below the natural waist at the high end.
  • Measuring over jeans or a thick layer adds 1 inches.

Start with the fullest part of the seat

The hip reference in this standard is the fullest part of the seat. That is the landmark the measurement uses.

The distance below the natural waist

The standard gives 7 inches below the natural waist at the low end and 9 inches below the natural waist at the high end. The distance can differ depending on where the fullest part of the seat sits.

Why the clothing layer matters

Measuring over jeans or a thick layer adds 1 inches according to the standard. That makes the clothing layer part of the reading.

  • Does measuring over clothing change the hip reading?
  • How does the natural waist relate to the hip measurement?
  • How should the low-end and high-end figures be used?

Frequently asked questions

Where is the hip measured from?
The fullest part of the seat. The standard places that point about 7 inches below the natural waist at the low end and about 9 inches below the natural waist at the high end.
Does measuring over jeans or a thick layer affect the number?
Yes. The standard states that measuring over jeans or a thick layer adds 1 inches.
Is the hip measurement distance fixed?
The standard gives 7 inches at the low end and 9 inches at the high end.

Sources

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.

Fit glossary · How we test · Editorial policy · Affiliate disclosure

Keep reading