Denimhunters’ Guide: How To Measure Jeans

Rise

The waist is seldom a straight band, they are higher in the back than in the front. It is created this way so the jeans sit on the body more comfortably. You will sometimes see the “front rise” and the “back rise” mentioned.

• The front rise is the more common measurement given, as it is more likely to determine the comfort of the jeans. It is measured from the crotch to the waistband just above the button.
• The back rise is measured from the crotch all the way to the top of the waistband at the back.
• The front rise will always be smaller than the back rise.

Inseam / Inside Leg

You will find that a lot of high-end jeans manufacturers will only do one leg length, normally long. This is to allow for the shrinkage found in raw, unsanforized denim and to cater to the widest variety of leg lengths. It is expected that you will either cuff or hem your jeans.

This is also a touch of historical accuracy; the earliest jeans were only manufactured in one length, meaning cheaper production costs and less waste. However, nowadays you will find many of the larger jeans manufacturers (and maybe some of the smaller ones) catering for a wide variety of leg lengths. Also, many of the small manufacturers offer hemming services with traditional Union Special chain stitch hemming machines.

The inseam is the most common measurement. It is measured from the crotch, down the inner seam of the jean leg to the hem.

Outseam

Less common than the inseam, the outer seam is measured from the top of the waistband, down the outer seam of the jean leg to the hem.

Still in Doubt How to Measure Your Jeans?

There are tons of measurement guides out there – but the best thing you can do is to consult the brand you’re buying from. If you want to learn about how the Japanese do measurements, we recommend this guide from Iron Heart.