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How to measure clothes, shoes and bags

Lay it flat, measure the same way every time and give buyers the numbers they ask for. A diagram for each kind of item, then a line to paste into your listing.

Before you start

  • Lay the item flat on a table or the floor, buttons done up and zips closed. Smooth out creases without stretching it.
  • Measure flat and don't double it: pit to pit and waist are measured across the front only. Say "measured flat" so buyers know.
  • Use a soft tape measure. A metal one doesn't follow curves.
  • Measure twice. If the two numbers differ, use the smaller one or the average.
  • Give cm and inches. Buyers abroad use both, and the line below does the sum for you.
  • Photograph the tape on the item for the main measurement. It answers the question before it's asked.

Tops, shirts and jackets

Lay it face up, sleeves out to the sides.

Tops, shirts and jacketsA top laid flat with numbered lines: 1 pit to pit across the chest, 2 length from shoulder to hem, 3 sleeve from shoulder seam to cuff, 4 shoulders from seam to seam.1234
  1. Pit to pitStraight across the chest, from one armpit seam to the other.
  2. LengthFrom the highest point of the shoulder, next to the collar, down to the bottom hem.
  3. SleeveFrom the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff, along the top of the sleeve.
  4. ShouldersFrom one shoulder seam to the other, across the back.

Trousers, jeans and shorts

Do up the button and zip, then lay them flat, front up, legs together.

Trousers, jeans and shortsTrousers laid flat with numbered lines: 1 waist across the waistband, 2 inside leg from crotch to hem, 3 rise from crotch to waistband, 4 hem across the bottom of the leg.1234
  1. WaistStraight across the top of the waistband, laid flat. Don't double it: say it's measured flat.
  2. Inside legFrom the crotch seam down the inside of the leg to the hem.
  3. RiseFrom the crotch seam up to the top of the waistband, at the front.
  4. Leg openingHem: straight across the bottom of one leg.

Dresses and skirts

Lay it flat, front up. Skirts only need waist, hips and length.

Dresses and skirtsA dress laid flat with numbered lines: 1 pit to pit, 2 waist, 3 hips, 4 length from shoulder to hem.1234
  1. Pit to pitStraight across the chest, from one armpit seam to the other.
  2. WaistAcross the narrowest part, laid flat.
  3. HipsAcross the widest part below the waist, about 20 cm (8 in) down.
  4. LengthFrom the top of the shoulder (or the waistband on a skirt) to the hem.

Shoes and trainers

Sizes vary between brands, so the insole length is what buyers trust most.

Shoes and trainersAn insole seen from above with numbered lines: 1 length from heel to toe, 2 width across the widest part.12
  1. Insole lengthInside the shoe, from the back of the heel to the tip of the toe. If the insole lifts out, take it out and measure it flat.
  2. Insole widthAcross the widest part of the insole, at the ball of the foot.

Bags

Stand the bag up, lightly stuffed with paper so it keeps its shape.

BagsA bag with numbered lines: 1 width across the base, 2 height from base to top edge, 3 depth from front to back, 4 strap drop from the top of the handle to the top of the bag.1234
  1. WidthAcross the base, side to side.
  2. HeightFrom the base to the top edge, without the handles.
  3. DepthFrom front to back, across the base.
  4. Strap dropFrom the top of the handle, pulled up, down to the top of the bag.

Copy a measurements line

Type your measurements and copy one line for your title or description. The other unit is added in brackets.

Your line

Enter at least one measurement to see your line.

Measuring every listing?

Signed in, you get the same templates in the listing editor: type the numbers once and they're added to the description in the buyer's language.

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Questions

What does pit to pit mean?
The width of a top measured across the front, from one armpit seam to the other, with the item laid flat. Double it for the rough chest size of the garment.
Should I give measurements in cm or inches?
Both if you can. UK buyers often think in inches, buyers in France, Spain and Germany in centimetres. The line builder adds the other unit in brackets.
How do I measure shoes?
Measure the insole from the back of the heel to the tip of the toe. If it lifts out, take it out and measure it flat. Size labels vary between brands; insole length doesn't.