There is no denying that trying to navigate men’s pant sizes can be quite the hassle. From the various numbers to the different kinds of measurements, finding trousers that fit is often not nearly as easy as buying a shirt that comes in either a small, medium, large, or x-large.

This is partially due to the fact that while pants require a more complex fitting, trouser sizes actually are not standardized, meaning you often need to re-measure each brand that you are shopping for. Though this might seem redundant, it is entirely possible to find that the same size in two different brands or designers is actually not the same at all.

When shopping for men’s pants, you will often find that there are two numbers you have to read when trying to determine the size. While it may seem utterly confusing, it is actually not as difficult to figure out as you may think. In order to give you a helping hand in finding your perfect fit, here is our guide to everything you need to know about waist size and pant size.

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Waist Size

Finding out your waist size is pretty much as easy and self-explanatory as it sounds. All you need to do is literally measure your waist. Then, the number that you get upon completing that measurement is your exact waist size. It is most convenient to conduct your waist measurement in inches since that is the measurement that most pants follow.

When reading the sizing on the label of a pair of pants, you will find that there are two numbers on the tag. The first number that you see is the waist measurement, meaning it is important to pay attention to that after having completed your own measurement. 

Pant Size

The waist size of a pair of trousers goes hand in hand with the overall pants size. Though the first number on the label of a pair of pants is the waist size, the second number refers to the length of the pants. These two numbers together are what give you your pant size. While knowing your waist measurement and your height are both important, the overall pant size of your trousers combines the two measurements to give you a general outline on what your sizing is.