How to Measure for a Suit: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Time to rent a nice suit or tuxedo? Prefer to rent formalwear online? Fit is everything, and the last thing you want to do is mix up your men’s suit measurements. Fortunately, measuring for a suit at home can be easier than you think. Our step-by-step suit measurements guide will help you measure for a suit that fits perfectly!

What You'll Need Before You Start

So you’ve found the perfect suit or tuxedo to rent. Before learning how to measure suit size at home, ensure you have all the necessary tools. Here’s what you need:

• A soft cloth or flexible tape measure
• A form-fitting T-shirt
• A pen or pencil
• Paper to take down notes (or a notes app)
• A full-length mirror (or a friend)

Understanding Key Suit Measurements

For a proper fit, you need to understand the key suit measurements. Our suit measurements guide covers the crucial parts of your body: the chest, waist, shoulders, neck, and hips.

How to Measure for a Suit Jacket

The suit jacket you choose can make or break your entire outfit. A properly fitting suit jacket affects your comfort level and appearance, so you want to know how to measure for a suit jacket to ensure that it flatters your silhouette.

Chest Measurement

Your chest measurement is crucial for determining the jacket's fit across your torso, influencing how well it drapes.

• Wrap the flexible tape measure around the fullest part of your chest
• Keep the tape measure under your armpits and across your shoulder blades
• The tape measure should be snug, but not too tight

Shoulder Width

Proper shoulder width measurement ensures the jacket frames your upper body correctly without restricting movement.

• Lay your arms at your side
• Measure across the back, going from one end of one shoulder to the other
• You can also measure by finding the top of the shoulder where the collar meets the shoulder seam, and measure across to the other side

Sleeve Length

When the sleeve length is just right, it offers you a sharp look while allowing for natural arm movement.

• Measure from the top of the shoulder seam and go down to your wrist bone
• You can also measure from the top of your shoulder to the start of your thumb knuckle

Jacket Length

Get a balanced look that flatters your frame without being too short or long.

• Start from the base of the back of your neck and measure down to around where the suit jacket should end, usually around the middle of your thumb.

Neck Measurement

A proper neck measurement ensures your shirt collar fits comfortably, sitting just below your Adam’s apple without being too tight or too loose, so you can breathe easily.

• Stand straight with your shoulders back
• Locate the prominent point in your neck (the Adam’s apple)
• Place the tape measure just below your Adam’s apple
• Make sure that the tape measure is not too snug (you can do this by placing one finger between the measuring tape and your neck)

How to Measure for Suit Pants

Grab your tape measure, because it’s time to learn how to measure for a suit pant. It’s a good idea to wear thin, form-fitting clothing, like a T-shirt and underwear, to get the most accurate measurement for dress pants.

Waist Measurement

Stand up straight and wrap your flexible tape measure where dress pants would usually fit, so just above your hips.

Inseam Length

Put on a pair of pants that fit well; be sure to avoid pants with loose fabric. Then, proceed to measure where the inseam is (the top of your inner leg) and go straight down to the edge of your dress shoes.

Outseam Measurement

Stand straight and run your flexible tape measure from the top of your waistband to the ground. You can subtract 1 to 2 inches from the total waist-to-ground measurement (depending on where you want the pants to break).

Hip Measurement

Stand with your feet together, then wrap your flexible tape measure around the fullest part of your hips and buttocks.

Additional Measurements for Perfect Fit

Let’s also discuss other additional measurements because there are specific parts of your body that are often overlooked when learning how to measure suit size.

Biceps: If you have large biceps, a proper measurement ensures you can move your arms freely. With your arm at your side, measure the fullest part of your bicep.

Thigh: You don’t want dress pants that feel too tight. Measure the widest part of your thigh to ensure a comfortable fit.

Common Measurement Mistakes to Avoid

It’s easy to make some mistakes while doing your own measurements. For precision, stick to these tips:

Stand up straight: Poor posture can lead to inaccuracies. You want to stand up straight, but you also don’t want to be stiff as a board, so try to stand relaxed with your arms at your side.

Avoid puffing out your chest: Don’t stick out your chest or suck in your stomach.

Wear appropriate clothing: Wear clothing that is neither bulky nor loose-fitting. Layering can distort measurements, so stick to a fitting T-shirt and underwear.

Have someone help: Get a friend to help you, as measuring your back and shoulders by yourself can be a challenge.

How Generation Tux Guarantees the Fit

Finding the perfect fit doesn't have to be complicated. With Generation Tux, we make the process effortless.

Our online fit process makes it easy to find your perfect fit. You don’t even need to use a tape measure! Just answer a few basic questions, and our online fit algorithm handles the rest. We also offer a Free Home Try-On option so that you can get a feel for your suit well before your next big event!

Try Generation Tux today and experience the perfect fit for yourself!