GUIDE · SIZES
Measuring clothes properly for your listing.
Which measurements buyers really need and how to take them in two minutes.
AI-generatedIn short
Measurements answer the most common question: will this fit me? Lay the item flat and measure with a tape measure in centimetres; many UK buyers think in inches, so add those too if you like. For tops: pit to pit, length and sleeve; for trousers: waist, inside leg and total length. Say that it was measured flat.
- Measure flat
- In cm, inches optional
- Add “measured flat”
Which measurements do you need for which item?
| Item | Measurements | How to measure |
|---|---|---|
| Tops | Pit to pit, length, sleeve | Chest: under the arms, from seam to seam. Length: highest point of the shoulder to the hem. |
| Trousers and jeans | Waist, inside leg, total length | Waist: fastened, from edge to edge. Inside leg: crotch seam to hem. |
| Dresses and skirts | Chest, waist, length | Length: shoulder or waistband to hem. |
| Jackets and coats | Shoulder, chest, length, sleeve | Shoulder: seam to seam across the back. |
A width measured flat, times two, gives roughly the circumference.
How do you measure properly?
Lay it flat.
On a table or the floor, smooth out the creases, buttons and zips closed.
Keep the tape straight.
Don't pull, don't follow the curve; go straight from point to point.
Note it down and round it.
Rounding to whole centimetres is enough.
Show it in a photo.
A photo with the tape measure laid on answers questions before they come.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to give measurements?
Our recommendation: yes. Measurements save questions, especially for brands that run small or large. Vinted also lists the item's measurements as part of a detailed description.
Pit to pit or chest circumference?
Measured flat, it's pit to pit, half the circumference. Say so, or someone will read it as the full chest measurement.
What is the inside leg?
The length from the crotch seam to the hem, measured along the inside of the leg.
Should I give body measurements too?
If you've worn the item yourself, a sentence like “fits loosely at 5ft 7in (170 cm)” helps.