Men’s Pants Size Calculator: Waist and Inseam

Men’s pants sizes have two numbers: the waist and the inseam. A 32×32 pant (also written W32 L32) has a 32-inch waist and a 32-inch inseam, the length from the crotch seam to the hem. Measure where you actually wear your pants, and when you’re between sizes, take the larger waist and the longer length.

How to measure your pants size

Waist

1. Wear thin clothes or nothing at the waist.
2. Wrap a soft tape around your body where your pants sit, usually at or just below the belly button.
3. Keep it level and snug, without pulling in your stomach. That number is your waist size.

Inseam

1. Take a pair of pants whose length you like and lay them flat.
2. Measure from the crotch seam down the inside of the leg to the hem. That’s your inseam.
3. No pants that fit? Stand straight without shoes and measure from the crotch to the floor, then subtract about an inch for most shoes and styles.

You can also measure a pair that fits at the waist: button them, lay them flat, measure straight across the top of the waistband and double it.

Men’s pants size chart

Waist measurement	US waist size	European size (about)
28 in (71 cm)	28	44
30 in (76 cm)	30	46
32 in (81 cm)	32	48
34 in (86 cm)	34	50
36 in (91 cm)	36	52
38 in (97 cm)	38	54
40 in (102 cm)	40	56
42 in (107 cm)	42	58

Common inseams are 30, 32 and 34 inches, with 28 and 36 at many brands. If your inseam falls between two, take the longer one and have it hemmed.

Pants size by height and weight

Without a tape measure, your height and weight give a starting pants size: a man who is 5′10″ and 165 pounds usually wears about a 32×32. Weight mostly sets the waist size and height sets the inseam. Choose Height and weight in the calculator above, or read your size from the chart.

Height	140 lb	160 lb	180 lb	200 lb	220 lb	240 lb
5′6″	30×30	32×30	34×30	36×30	38×30	40×30
5′8″	30×31	32×31	34×31	36×31	38×31	40×31
5′10″	29×32	31×32	33×32	35×32	37×32	39×32
6′0″	29×33	31×33	33×33	35×33	37×33	39×33
6′2″	28×34	30×34	32×34	34×34	36×34	38×34
6′4″	28×35	30×35	32×35	34×35	36×35	38×35

The chart assumes an average build. A fuller middle usually adds 2 inches to the waist, and long legs for your height add an inch or two to the inseam. For an exact size, measure a pair of pants that fits you well.

Why the same size fits differently

Pants sizes aren’t standard across brands. Some brands label a pant smaller than it measures, so a “32” can measure closer to 33 or 34 inches around. Cut matters too: slim, straight and relaxed fits change the seat and thigh, not the waist number. Treat the calculator result as a starting point, and check the brand’s own chart.

How pants should fit

• Waist: sits where you want it without a belt holding it up.
• Seat: no pulling across the back and no sagging.
• Thigh: you can pinch about an inch of fabric on slim and straight fits.
• Length: the hem touches the top of the shoe with a slight break or none.

For what to wear with them, see what to wear with khaki pants, what shirt goes with grey pants and slacks vs dress pants. Suit trousers follow the jacket size; the suit size calculator covers the drop.

Pants Size FAQs

What does 32×32 mean on pants?

32×32 means a 32-inch waist and a 32-inch inseam. The first number is the waist, measured around the body; the second is the length from the crotch seam to the hem.

Should I size up or down in pants?

Size up when you’re between waist sizes, and choose the longer inseam when you’re between lengths. A slightly loose waist can be taken in and a long hem can be shortened, but neither works the other way.

How do I know my inseam without a tape?

Check the label of a pair of pants whose length you like, since the second number is the inseam. For a more exact number, lay them flat and measure from the crotch seam to the hem.

Is my jeans size the same as my pants size?

Usually, yes: jeans use the same waist and inseam numbers. Denim brands vary more than most, and raw denim can shrink, so check the brand’s chart and fit notes.