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How to Work Out Your Size in Jeans

Find the perfect denim fit.

Last Updated on May 24, 2023

There’s nothing better than a perfectly fitting pair of jeans. Not only are they a wardrobe staple, but they’re timeless. Looked after well, they can last forever.

However, working out what size jeans you should wear can be so confusing. When they aren’t offered in the sizing we’re accustomed to. It can throw us off.

Once you understand how denim sizing works, however, it’s a doddle. Read on how to find out how to figure it all out, as well as a handy denim sizing calculator and size chart.

Emma Chamberlain wears Levi's Jeans
Levi’s

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How do I figure out my jeans size?

The easiest way to work out your jeans size is by measuring your waist and the length of your legs with a measuring tape or by measuring a pair of perfectly fitting jeans you already own. Then enter your measurements into the calculator below.

To measure your waist, find the circumference of your belly by placing the tape measure at the level of your belly button.

If measuring jeans, lay them flat on a surface and measure their width from left to right, at the level of the waist button, over the zipper.

When you find the perfect fit, double the jeans’ width to get your waist length.

To measure the length of your legs, measure from your groin to the desired length of your jeans. If measuring your jeans, measure their inner length by following the inner seam to the bottom of the leg.

zara model wearing zara jeans
Zara

Jeans Size Calculator

Jeans Size Calculator

While some jeans come in regular UK sizes, such as 6 or 16, many offer more precise sizing.

For example, a size 10 is a jeans size 28. However, if you find you’re in-between sizes, a waist 29 pair of jeans equates to a size 11. A size 12 would wear a jeans size 30, but a size 31 in jeans equates to a size 13 in regular UK sizing.

This system means you can find the best fit for your waist without denim being a little loose or tight.

Jeans size chart

 XXS
 
XXS-XSXS – SS – MM – LL – XLXL – XXL
 
UK46810121416
US0002-44-681012
Italy36384042444648
France32343638404244
Denmark30323436384042
Russia38404244464850
Germany30323436384042
Australia46810121416
Japan3579111315
Jeans (in inches)2324 – 2526 – 2727 – 2829 – 3031 – 3232 – 33

Shop Jeans

Ready to find a pair of jeans that fit like a glove?

Here’s our edit of the best jeans you can shop now, and if you like these, take a look at our edit of the best women’s jeans of 2023 – including petite, tall, sustainable, plus-size, designer and high street denim, or browse through the biggest jeans trends of 2023.

High-Rise Straight-Fit Trf Jeans from Zara

High-Rise Straight-Fit Trf Jeans, £29.99, Zara – buy now

501 Original Jeans from Levi's

501 Original Jeans, £100, Levi’s – buy now

Short Length Split Seam Flare Jean from ME+EM

Short Length Split Seam Flare Jean, £195, ME+EM – buy now

Basic Mom Jeans from Pull&Bear

Basic Mom Jeans, £19.99, Pull&Bear – buy now

Lofty Lo Wavy Blues from Nudie Jeans

Lofty Lo Wavy Blues, £145, Nudie Jeans – buy now

Rowdy Ruth Almost Black from Nudie Jeans

Rowdy Ruth Almost Black, £145, Nudie Jeans – buy now

90s Baggy High Jeans from H&M

90s Baggy High Jeans, £24.99, H&M – buy now

Women’s Nettle Denim High-rise Jeans in Mid Wash from Pangaia

Women’s Nettle Denim High-rise Jeans in Mid Wash, £195, Pangaia – buy now

Baggy Jeans in dark gray from Uniqlo

Baggy Jeans in dark gray, £34.90, Uniqlo – buy now

Denim Mom Jeans from Primark

Denim Mom Jeans, £13, Primark – buy now

Toteme twisted-seam Straight Jeans from Conscious

Toteme twisted-seam Straight Jeans, £205, Conscious – buy now

Pocket cargo jeans from Mango

Pocket cargo jeans, £45.99, Mango – buy now

Organic 70´s Front Pocket Wide Leg Jeans from NA-KD

Organic 70´s Front Pocket Wide Leg Jeans, £49.95, NA-KD – buy now

Yoko high waist wide classic blue jeans from Monki

Yoko high waist wide classic blue jeans, £40, Monki – buy now

Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans from Reformation

Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans, £168, Reformation – buy now

READ MORE: Save Your Time Searching — We’ve Found the Best Jeans on ASOS

Editor jean in mid blue from Topshop

Editor jean in mid blue, £50, Topshop  – buy now

Slim mom jeans in light blue from ASOS

Slim mom jeans in light blue, £22, ASOS – buy now

Blue high waisted straight leg jeans from River Island

Blue high waisted straight leg jeans, £47, River Island – buy now