You'll want to know how to measure outseam of pants if you've ever ordered a pair of trousers online only to find they drag on the floor or stop awkwardly at your ankles. While most of us are used to checking the inseam—that measurement running down the inside of your leg—the outseam is just as important, especially when you're dealing with different rises or getting something custom-tailored. It's the total length of the garment from the very top of the waistband all the way down to the bottom of the leg opening.
Getting this right isn't rocket science, but there are a few tricks to making sure you don't end up with a measurement that's an inch or two off. Whether you're measuring a pair of jeans you already love or you're trying to figure out your own body dimensions for a bespoke suit, I'll walk you through the easiest ways to get it done.
Why the Outseam Matters More Than You Think
Most people focus on the inseam because that's what's usually printed on the tag of your Levi's. However, the inseam only tells half the story. The outseam accounts for the "rise" of the pants—the distance from the crotch to the waist.
If you're buying high-waisted trousers, the outseam will be much longer than it would be on a pair of low-rise hip-huggers, even if the inseam is exactly the same. By knowing how to measure outseam of pants, you can ensure that the waistband actually sits where you want it to while the hem hits your shoes at the perfect spot. It's the secret to getting that polished, "I actually put effort into this" look.
Tools You'll Need for the Job
Before you start, don't grab that stiff metal tape measure from your toolbox. It's great for measuring a 2x4, but it's terrible for fabric. You need a flexible tailor's tape—the soft, plastic or fabric kind. They're cheap, usually a couple of bucks at any drugstore or craft shop, and they wrap around curves without kinking.
If you're absolutely in a pinch and don't have one, you can use a piece of string. Just mark the length on the string and then lay it flat against a ruler or that stiff metal tape measure. It's a bit more work, but it gets the job done.
Method 1: Measuring a Pair of Pants You Already Own
This is the most reliable way to do it. If you have a pair of pants that fits you perfectly in terms of length and where they sit on your waist, use them as your template.
Step 1: Prep the Pants
Lay your pants down on a hard, flat surface. A table or a hardwood floor works best. Avoid doing this on a bed or a shaggy rug, because the fabric can sink and bunch up, which will definitely mess with your numbers. Zip them up, button the waist, and smooth out any wrinkles. You want the side seam of the pants to be lying as flat and straight as possible.
Step 2: Find the Starting Point
Place the end of your tape measure at the very top of the waistband on the outside edge. Make sure you aren't starting below the waistband; the outseam includes the entire height of the pant from top to bottom.
Step 3: Follow the Seam
Run the tape measure straight down the outer side seam. Don't pull the fabric too tight, but don't let it stay baggy either. Just follow the natural line of the stitching. If the pants have a bit of a curve to them, just follow that curve with your flexible tape.
Step 4: Reach the Hem
Stop measuring at the very bottom of the leg—the hem. That total number is your outseam. It's a good idea to write it down immediately because, if you're like me, you'll forget it the second you walk into another room.
Method 2: Measuring Your Own Body
Sometimes you don't have a perfect-fitting pair of pants to reference, or maybe you're measuring for a completely different style (like switching from low-rise jeans to high-waisted dress slacks). In this case, you'll need to measure yourself. This is way easier if you have a friend to help, but you can manage it solo if you're patient.
Step 1: Stand Straight
Wear the type of shoes you plan on wearing with these pants. This is a big deal! A pair of boots will change where you want your pants to end compared to a pair of flat sneakers or loafers. Stand naturally with your feet about shoulder-width apart.
Step 2: Locate Your Waistline
Decide where you want the pants to sit. If you like them high on your natural waist (near your belly button), start there. If you prefer them lower on your hips, start there. This is the beauty of knowing how to measure outseam of pants; you get to decide the "rise" based on your preference.
Step 3: Measure Down to the Floor
Hold the start of the tape at your chosen waist point and let it drop down your side. This is where the friend comes in handy—they can read the number at your ankle or the floor without you having to bend over. If you bend over to see the measurement, your hip shifts and the measurement will be wrong.
If you're doing this alone, try standing next to a full-length mirror. Hold the tape at your waist, let it hang to the floor, and use the mirror to see where the tape hits your foot.
Adjusting for "The Break"
When you're figuring out your outseam, you need to think about "the break." This is the fold of fabric that forms when the bottom of your pant leg hits your shoe.
- No Break: The pants just barely touch the top of your shoe. This is very trendy right now and looks great with slim-fit suits or chinos. Your outseam will be a bit shorter here.
- Half Break: The classic look. The fabric dents slightly at the front. This is the safe bet for most professional settings.
- Full Break: The pants are long enough to create a distinct fold or "stack" at the bottom. This is common in relaxed-fit jeans or more traditional trousers.
When you're deciding how to measure outseam of pants, keep these styles in mind. If you want a no-break look, stop your measurement right at the top of your shoe or even at the ankle bone. For a full break, go all the way to the sole of your shoe.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even if you follow the steps, it's easy to make a small error that leads to a big problem. One of the biggest mistakes is measuring while wearing thick clothing. If you're measuring your body, do it in your underwear or very thin leggings so the tape stays close to your actual frame.
Another common pitfall is forgetting that different fabrics behave differently. A pair of heavy raw denim jeans won't drape the same way as a pair of lightweight linen trousers. If you're measuring a "stretchy" pair of pants, don't pull them taut when they're laying on the table, or the outseam will end up being too short when you actually put them on and the fabric relaxes.
Also, check both legs! It sounds crazy, but a lot of mass-produced pants aren't perfectly symmetrical. One leg might be a quarter-inch longer than the other. If you're measuring an existing pair, check both sides and take the average, or go with the longer one if you're worried about them being too short.
Final Thoughts on Getting it Right
Once you've mastered how to measure outseam of pants, shopping for clothes becomes much less of a guessing game. You'll be able to look at size charts on websites—which often provide the outseam for specific tall or short sizes—and know exactly where that hem is going to land on your leg.
It's one of those small "adulting" skills that saves you a ton of time and money on returns and trips to the tailor. Plus, there's a certain confidence that comes with knowing your clothes actually fit your body correctly. So, grab that tape measure, find your favorite pair of pants, and get those numbers down!