How to Measure the Waist on Children

Measuring your child's waist can help you to get a more accurate size off the rack, as well as let you know what size to make if you are sewing your own clothes. It can be difficult to get an accurate measurement on active little ones, but older children should pose no problem. Once you have the waist measurement, compare it to the sizing charts provided by clothing manufacturers.

Things You'll Need

  • Tape measure
  • Pen
  • Paper

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask your child to lift or take off her shirt. For the most accurate measurement, you don't want bulky clothing in the way.

    • 2

      Wrap the tape measure loosely around her waist. It should be snug, but not too tight. Use the belly button to determine where her waist lies, though she may wear her pants above or below this line.

    • 3

      Note where the start of the measuring lines meets with the measured line. In some tape measures, the scale starts from the end of the measure. In others, it starts about an inch in. The markings between the inches are usually 2/10 of an inch.

    • 4

      Write this number down to remember, if necessary.

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