Your inside leg measurement, or inseam, is the single number that decides whether jeans fit in length. It's what you need for buying online, getting jeans hemmed, or cutting a pair into shorts. Here's the reliable way to measure it.
Method 1: Measure a pair that already fits (most accurate)
- Take a pair of trousers or jeans that are already the length you like.
- Lay them flat and smooth out any creases.
- Fold one leg back so you can see the inside seam.
- Measure from the crotch seam (where the four seams meet) straight down the inside seam to the bottom of the hem.
- Note it down, and whether it's in inches or centimetres.
Method 2: Measure yourself
- Stand straight in the shoes you'll wear, feet slightly apart.
- Ask someone to measure from the top of your inner thigh down to where you want the hem to finish.
- Keep the tape straight, but don't pull it tight.
Measuring yourself is less accurate, so if you're unsure, add half an inch. Slightly long is always better than too short.
Common mistakes
- Measuring the outside leg (waist to hem) by mistake
- Measuring jeans that are about to shrink in their first wash
- Forgetting about shoes. Boots need more length than trainers.
- Bending down to read the tape, which shortens the reading
How inseams map to jeans sizes
In the UK, jeans are usually sold as "W32 L32": waist 32 inches, leg (inseam) 32 inches. Common leg lengths are 30, 32 and 34, but they vary by brand, so check the size chart against your own measurement rather than trusting the label.
Not confident? Pin instead
If you're getting jeans altered, pinning at the length you want is often easier. See how to pin your jeans.