Standard Body Measurements
Standard bust/chest, waist and hip by size — women, men and children.
These are standard ACTUAL BODY measurements by size, from the Craft Yarn Council sizing tables. They are the starting point for choosing or grading a garment size. Remember a pattern is written for the FINISHED garment, which is your body measurement plus ease — use the Sweater Ease calculator to turn a body measurement into the size to knit.
Women
| Size | Bust (in) | Bust (cm) | Waist (in) | Hip (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-Small | 28–30 | 71–76 | 23–24 | 33–35 |
| Small | 32–34 | 81–86 | 25–26.5 | 36–38 |
| Medium | 36–38 | 91–97 | 28–30 | 39–41 |
| Large | 40–42 | 102–107 | 32–34 | 42–44 |
| 1X | 44–46 | 112–117 | 36–38 | 46–48 |
| 2X | 48–50 | 122–127 | 40–42 | 50–52 |
| 3X | 52–54 | 132–137 | 44–45 | 54–56 |
| 4X | 56–58 | 142–147 | 46.5–47.5 | 58–60 |
| 5X | 60–62 | 152–157 | 49–50 | 61–64 |
Men
| Size | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| X-Small | 32–34 | 81–86 |
| Small | 36–38 | 91–97 |
| Medium | 40–42 | 102–107 |
| Large | 44–46 | 112–117 |
| X-Large | 48–50 | 122–127 |
| XX-Large | 52–54 | 132–137 |
Child
| Size | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 21 | 53 |
| 4 | 23 | 58 |
| 6 | 25 | 64 |
| 8 | 26.5 | 67 |
| 10 | 28 | 71 |
| 12 | 30 | 76 |
| 14 | 31.5 | 80 |
Good to know
- These are body measurements, not finished garment measurements. Add ease (positive for room, negative to cling) to get the size to make.
- Standard sizes are a guide — real bodies vary, so measure the person you are knitting for and pick the closest size.
- Measure over the fullest part of the bust/chest, the natural waist, and the fullest part of the hip, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight.
FAQ
- Are these body or garment measurements?
- Body measurements. A finished garment is bigger (or, for negative ease, smaller) than the body — the difference is ease. Use the Sweater Ease calculator to convert a body measurement into the finished size to knit.
- Which measurement decides my sweater size?
- Usually the bust or chest. Pick the size whose bust/chest is closest to yours, then check the pattern’s finished measurements and ease to confirm the fit you want.
- How do I measure correctly?
- With a soft tape, measure the fullest part of the bust or chest, the natural waistline, and the fullest part of the hips. Keep the tape level and snug — not pulled tight and not loose.