How to Measure Your Outseam for Trousers and Pants
What outseam means, why it matters, and how to measure it accurately in 4 steps — plus a printable length chart for suits, trousers, and uniforms.
A tailor asks for your outseam. You stare at the tape measure.
Is it the inside of the leg? The outside? From your waist or from your hip? You guess. The pants come back the wrong length.
Outseam is one of the most useful measurements in menswear and formalwear. It is also the one most shoppers cannot define. This guide fixes that in under five minutes. You will know what it means, why it matters, and how to measure it in four steps. A printable chart is included at the end.
What Outseam Actually Means
The outseam is the length of the outer side of a pair of pants.
It runs from the top of the waistband, straight down the outside of the leg, to the bottom of the hem. Picture a line drawn down the side of your pants from the belt to the floor. That line is the outseam.
It is the opposite of the inseam, which runs down the inside of the leg from the crotch seam to the hem.
Outseam is always longer than inseam
Why Outseam Matters
Most casual pants and jeans are sold by waist and inseam. So why bother with outseam at all?
Three reasons.
Reason 1: Tailored suits and dress trousers use outseam
Reason 2: Uniforms and workwear use outseam
Reason 3: It catches fit problems inseam misses
What You Need
- A soft fabric measuring tape.
- A flat surface like a bed or table.
- A pair of pants that fits you well (optional but helpful).
If you don't have a soft tape, string and a ruler work. Metal tape measures can work for measuring existing pants on a table but are awkward for measuring your body directly.
How to Measure Your Outseam in 4 Steps
There are two reliable ways. The first is from pants you already own. The second is directly on your body.
Method A: From Pants That Fit
This is the fastest method. Use a pair of dress pants or trousers that fit you the way you want new pants to fit.
Lay the pants flat
Place them on a bed or table. Button or zip them closed and smooth out any wrinkles.
Find the top of the waistband
Locate the top edge of the waistband on one side of the pant. This is where the tape starts.
Run the tape straight down the outside seam
Place one end at the top of the waistband. Run the tape down the outside seam of the leg all the way to the bottom hem.
Read the number
That is your outseam. Write it down in both inches and centimeters.
Method B: From Your Body
Use this if you don't have pants that fit properly or if you want to double-check Method A.
Stand straight against a wall
Wear thin pants or leggings. Shoes off. Feet about 6 inches apart.
Find your natural waistline
The narrowest part of your torso, usually about an inch above your belly button. Mark it with a piece of tape or hold a finger there.
Place the tape at your waistline
Rest one end of the tape at your natural waistline on the side of your body.
Run the tape down to the floor
Straight down the outside of your leg. The number at the floor is your outseam.
For dress pants worn lower on the hip, measure from the top of your hip bone instead of your natural waist.
Outseam vs Inseam: Quick Reference
| Measurement | Starts At | Ends At | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inseam | Crotch seam | Hem | Jeans, casual pants, shorts |
| Outseam | Waistband top | Hem | Dress pants, suits, uniforms, workwear |
Do not convert one into the other
Printable Outseam Sizing Chart
Use this chart as a reference. Measure your outseam once and match it against the height and style you are shopping for.
| Your Outseam | Approx. Height | Common Pant Style | Hem Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 38" (97 cm) | 5'4" – 5'6" | Short / Petite | Just above ankle |
| 40" (102 cm) | 5'6" – 5'9" | Regular / Short | At ankle |
| 42" (107 cm) | 5'9" – 6'0" | Regular | Mid-shoe |
| 44" (112 cm) | 6'0" – 6'3" | Long / Tall | Full break over shoe |
| 46" (117 cm) | 6'3" and above | Extra Tall | Full break, longer drape |
Print this chart or screenshot it for your phone. You will use it every time you shop for dress pants, suits, or uniforms.
Five Common Outseam Mistakes
Measuring the inseam instead
The inseam starts at the crotch. The outseam starts at the waist. Check twice before recording the number.
Measuring from the wrong waistline
Dress pants usually sit at the natural waist. Low-rise pants sit lower. Measure from wherever the waistband will actually sit.
Letting the tape curve
The tape should run straight down the side of the leg, not follow the contour of your hip or thigh. A curved tape reads too long.
Measuring over shoes
Always measure barefoot, then adjust for shoes at the end.
Using outseam for jeans
Jeans are almost always sold by inseam. Do not send an outseam number to a jean retailer. They will not know what to do with it.
When to Add or Subtract Length
Your raw outseam number is the starting point. You may need to adjust it based on how you plan to wear the pants.
Add length if
- You wear dress shoes with a heel (add 1 inch)
- You wear boots (add 0.5 to 1 inch)
- You want a full break over your shoe
- You like pants to pool slightly at the hem
Subtract length if
- You prefer a clean no-break look
- You wear cropped or ankle styles
- You wear flat sneakers or loafers with thin soles
A good rule: for a classic look, pants with zero break finish at the top of your shoe; pants with a slight break finish at the top of the heel. Pick the look you want and adjust accordingly.
FAQs
Is outseam the same as pant length?
Mostly yes. Outseam is the most precise way to state pant length. Some brands use "pant length" loosely to mean either inseam or outseam, which is why you should always check the brand's size chart for a diagram.
Can a tailor shorten outseam?
Yes. Any tailor can hem the bottom. Shortening from the waistband is more complex and costs more.
Do I measure outseam with or without a belt?
Without a belt. Pants should sit where you wear them without cinching.
Why is my outseam different from my height minus 30?
Because torso-to-leg ratio varies. There is no formula that reliably converts height to outseam. Measure it directly.
What is a good outseam for a 5'10" man?
Somewhere between 40 and 43 inches for most body types. Measure to confirm.
Can I use outseam to order jeans?
No. Jeans are almost always sold by waist and inseam. Send jean retailers the inseam number, not the outseam.
Save This Number Once
Your outseam does not change. Measure it once, write it down, reuse it forever.
Add it to your size note:
- Waist
- Hips
- Inseam
- Outseam
- Bust (if applicable)
When you buy a suit, trousers, or uniform pants, you have the number ready. No more guessing. No more returns. Stores running Tailor Size Guide let shoppers submit these numbers directly on the product page, so you ship the right length every time.
Selling suits, workwear, or formalwear on Shopify?
Tailor Size Guide lets your customers submit outseam, inseam, and full body measurements directly on the product page — so you ship the right size every time.