How to take
your measurements

A good yardage estimate is only as good as the measurements behind it. Use a flexible tailor's tape, not a rigid ruler, and measure over whatever you'll actually wear underneath the finished garment — a dress shirt under a jacket, for instance. Keep the tape level and snug against the body without pulling it tight, and take each circumference measurement at its fullest point unless noted otherwise.

Cloth & Chalk works in two modes. Body Measurements are taken directly on the person, and the calculator adds the wearing ease a garment needs on top. Finished Garment measurements are taken from an existing, well-fitting piece of clothing laid flat on a table — these already include ease, so lay the garment flat and measure it as-is rather than adding anything.

Body Measurements

Chest

Wrap the tape around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades, keeping it level all the way around.

Stomach

The fullest part of the stomach or belly, usually a few inches below the chest measurement. Take this even if it's smaller than the chest — the calculator uses whichever is larger.

Seat

The fullest part of the seat, measured around the widest point of the hips and backside.

Bicep

Arm circumference at its fullest point, usually with the arm relaxed at the side.

Shoulder

Seam to seam across the back, from one shoulder point to the other, following the natural slope of the shoulders.

Sleeve Length

From the shoulder seam, over a slightly bent elbow, down to where the cuff should end.

Jacket / Waistcoat Length

From the nape of the neck (the bony bump at the base of the neck) straight down the back to where the hem should fall.

Waist

Natural waist circumference — where the body creases when you bend to the side, not necessarily where trousers are worn.

Outseam

From the top of the waistband down the outside of the leg to the hem.

Inseam

From the crotch straight down the inside of the leg to the hem.

Bottom Cuff / Leg Opening

Circumference of the trouser leg opening, or ankle circumference plus a little room if no reference garment exists.

Shirt Length

From the nape of the neck down the back to where the shirt hem should fall.

Neck

Circumference of the neck at the base, where a collar would sit — leave a finger's width of slack for comfort.

Thigh

Leg circumference at its fullest point, just below the seat.

Calf

Leg circumference at the fullest point of the calf.

Cuff

Wrist circumference where a shirt cuff would sit, plus enough room to fit two fingers underneath.

U-Rise

Front waist, down through the crotch, up to the back waist — measured with a flexible tape following the body's curve, not a straight line.

Finished Garment Measurements

Lay the reference garment flat on a table, front side up, smoothed out but not stretched. For circumference measurements (chest, waist, seat, etc.), measure straight across from one side seam to the other and double it. For lengths (jacket length, sleeve length, inseam), measure directly along the garment from one reference point to the other.

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