How to Take Men’s Suit Measurements Using Online Size Calculators and MTM Platforms in the US?
Online MTM (Made-to-Measure) platforms such as Indochino, Proper Cloth, and Suit Supply MTM are all backed by powerful pattern engines and sizing algorithms. However, the real challenge lies in those dozen-plus intimidating body measurements required at checkout: neck, chest, midsection, seat, jacket length, sleeve length, shoulder width, crotch depth, and more. Miscalculating a single number could result in receiving an unwearable piece of “custom waste” weeks later.
To provide accurate and reusable body data when ordering on online MTM platforms like Indochino and Proper Cloth, the keys are: using the right tools, maintaining a natural standing posture, getting someone to assist you, measuring each dimension at least twice, and measuring strictly according to the platform’s defined locations.
To ensure you provide precise, reproducible body data that MTM algorithm engines can reliably parse, follow this complete step-by-step measuring guide.
Step1. Tools & Preparation
- Measuring Tape: Soft tailor’s tape (cloth/flexible tape); do not use a steel tape measure or rigid ruler.
- Posture: Stand naturally; do not puff out your chest or suck in your stomach for a “military posture.”
- Record: Measure each size at least twice. If the difference exceeds 0.5 inches (about 1.3 cm), measure a third time and take the two most consistent numbers.
- Units: Keep units consistent (inches or centimeters) without switching midway; most US platforms default to inches.
- A Helper: One assistant.
Step2. General Measuring Principles (The Key to Accuracy)
- Horizontal Wrap: When measuring circumferences, keep the tape measure level all the way around—do not let it sit lower or higher in the front than in the back.
- “Snug, Not Tight”: The tape should rest flat against the body with enough tightness to fit one finger underneath, especially for the neck, chest, and waist.
- Natural Position: Measure circumferences at the body’s naturally fullest or narrowest points, rather than relying on guesswork or pant sizes.
- Vertical Lengths: For vertical measurements (jacket length, sleeve length, etc.), accurately locate the starting bone landmarks (shoulder bone point, back neck point) and end at the exact spots specified by the platform (wrist bone, thumb joint, etc.).
Step3. How to take men’s suit measurements: Step-by-Step Body Measurement
Chest (Primary Jacket Size): Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping it high under your armpits and level across your shoulder blades. Keep your arms relaxed at your sides. The tape should be snug without compressing your chest, allowing for slight movement. Your chest measurement in inches directly corresponds to your base jacket size (e.g., a 40-inch chest = Size 40 jacket).
Neck: Measure around where a dress shirt collar naturally sits, typically below the Adam’s apple at the base of the neck. Keep the tape measure level all the way around and insert one finger under the tape for breathing room.
Waist / Stomach (Midsection): Measure the circumference around the widest part of your abdomen (typically around the belly button). Do not suck in your stomach; the jacket must button comfortably when you sit down. If you have a protruding stomach, measure around the fullest part and leave a one-finger gap. Note: Do not use your standard pant waist size as a substitute here.
Seat / Hips: Stand naturally with your feet together and wrap the tape around the fullest part of your hips/buttocks. Inaccurate measurements here will affect the fit around your hips and upper thighs.
Shoulder Width: Shoulder fit is paramount—modifying jacket shoulders after purchase is expensive and complex, making this one of the most critical and error-prone measurements. Measure across the back along the natural shoulder line from one acromion bone point (the bony prominence on the outer tip of the shoulder) to the other. Ensure the tape stays flat across your back without dipping in the middle. Alternative method: Lay a well-fitting suit jacket completely flat and measure straight across from shoulder seam to shoulder seam.
Sleeve Length: Start at the center back of the neck (the prominent spine bone). Run the tape over the top of the shoulder, down along a slightly bent elbow, to the wrist bone (on the pinky side, not where your watch rests). You may add 0.5 inches to this measurement for extra wrist coverage.
Bicep: Measure horizontally around the fullest part of the upper arm.
Wrist / Hand Circumference: Measure around the narrowest part of the wrist.
Jacket Length / Back Length: Measure from the base of the neck (where the collar seam meets the back, not the top of the collar) straight down to your thumb knuckle joint. This determines whether the jacket hem cleanly covers your seat.
Trouser Waist: Measured around your natural waistline, using the same method as the Waist / Stomach measurement above.
Inseam: Instead of measuring down your crotch on your body, take a pair of trousers with your desired length, lay them completely flat, and measure along the inner seam from the crotch point down to the bottom of the hem.
Overarm / Sleeve to Overarm: Wrap the tape over the outside of both arms at the widest point of the chest and shoulders to measure total shoulder girth.
Thigh / Knee / Leg Opening:
- Thigh: Measure around the thickest part of the thigh.
- Knee: Measure around the center of the knee.
- Leg Opening: Measure the full circumference around the leg opening at the hem.
Armhole / Crotch (Advanced Measurements for Select Platforms):
- Crotch (Rise/Depth): Measure from the center front waistband, down through the crotch, up to the center back waistband.
- Armhole: Measure around the armpit joint at the shoulder.
