An inside leg measurement is the British name for the inseam: the length of your leg from the crotch straight down to the floor or ankle. On trousers, it runs from the crotch seam to the bottom of the hem. Most adults fall between 28 and 34 inches (71 to 86 cm).
If you shop with UK brands, the size tag on jeans and suits often reads something like “W32 L31”. Typically, the second number is the inside leg. American stores print the same figure as the inseam, so the two words describe one length. In other words, only the name changes when you cross the Atlantic.
In short: measure from the top of the inner thigh down to where you want the hem to sit, write it down in inches and centimeters, and compare it with the brand’s chart instead of guessing.
Also, dictionaries agree on the meaning. For example, the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines inside leg as the length of the inside of the leg, used for making or choosing trousers, and notes that North Americans say inseam. Meanwhile, the European clothing size standard EN 13402 measures inside leg length on the body from the crotch to the soles of the feet, with the person standing straight and feet slightly apart.
Below, you can convert your number, follow a step-by-step method for your body and for a pair of trousers you already own, and see how this length compares with the outseam and the rise.
Convert Your Inside Leg Measurement to cm or Inches
First, type your number and pick the unit you measured in. The converter then shows centimeters, inches and millimeters using the exact definition of 1 inch = 2.54 cm, so you can match a UK, US or European size chart.
Recommended Tools for Measuring Inside Leg
A flexible tailor’s tape follows the leg without slipping, so it is the main tool you need. Also, a stiff retractable tape helps when you lay trousers flat on a table, because it stays straight along the seam. In addition, look for clear markings in both inches and centimeters.
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Key Points at a Glance
- Inside leg is the UK term; inseam is the US term for the same length.
- On the body, it runs from the crotch to the floor or to the ankle bone.
- On trousers, it runs from the crotch seam to the hem.
- The “L” number on UK and US jeans labels is this length in inches.
- Your body number is usually a little longer than the trouser inseam you choose.
- Outseam is longer because it also includes the rise.
- Measure twice and round to the nearest half inch or centimeter.
Why the Inside Leg Measurement Matters
Waist size gets most of the attention. However, length decides how trousers actually look. For example, if the leg is too long, fabric bunches at the ankle and the hem drags on the ground. By contrast, a leg that is too short shows your socks when you sit down. As a result, two people with the same waist can need very different pairs.
Length is also the part that is hardest to fix after you buy. Indeed, a tailor can take up a hem easily. On the other hand, letting it down only works if there is spare fabric folded inside, and many ready-made jeans have very little. So getting the number right before you order saves returns and alteration costs.
The European standard treats this length as a key secondary dimension for adult trousers, right after waist girth. Consequently, many labels show two numbers instead of one.
How to Take an Inside Leg Measurement on Your Body
You can measure alone, but a helper makes it easier and more accurate. Also, wear thin, close-fitting clothing or underwear, and take off your shoes first.
- Stand on a hard floor. Keep your back against a wall if that helps you stay straight, with feet about 6 inches (15 cm) apart.
- Find the starting point. Place the end of a flexible tape high on the inner thigh, right at the crotch. A hardcover book pressed gently up between the legs gives a firm, level mark.
- Run the tape straight down. Then keep it along the inside of the leg without curving around the knee.
- Stop at your chosen end point. For a full body figure, go to the floor. For a trouser length, stop at the ankle bone or where you want the hem to sit.
- Read the number. Look straight at the tape instead of bending down sideways, which skews the reading.
- Repeat once. Then take the average of the two readings and note it in both inches and centimeters.
For a second walk-through with extra tips, see our guide on how to measure inseam, which uses the same technique.
How to Measure Inside Leg on Trousers
Measuring a pair that already fits you well is often the most reliable method. That is because it already reflects how you like your trousers to sit, including the amount of break at the shoe.
- Lay them flat. Fold the trousers in half lengthwise on a table so the inner seams line up.
- Smooth out wrinkles. Pull the fabric gently so it lies flat, but avoid stretching it.
- Start at the crotch seam. Put the tape where the four seams meet at the crotch.
- Follow the inner seam. Run the tape down to the bottom edge of the hem.
- Record the result. Round to the nearest half inch or centimeter.
Inside Leg Measurement Size Chart (Inches and cm)
Use this chart to switch between the inch sizes on most UK and US labels and the centimeters used in Europe. The centimeter values use the exact 2.54 factor and are rounded to one decimal.
| Inside leg (in) | Inside leg (cm) | Common UK label |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | 66.0 | Extra short / petite |
| 27 | 68.6 | Petite |
| 28 | 71.1 | Short (women) / petite |
| 29 | 73.7 | Short (men) |
| 30 | 76.2 | Regular (women) |
| 31 | 78.7 | Regular (men) |
| 32 | 81.3 | Long (women) / regular |
| 33 | 83.8 | Long (men) |
| 34 | 86.4 | Long / tall |
| 35 | 88.9 | Extra long |
| 36 | 91.4 | Extra long / tall |
The labels in the third column are typical, not fixed. For example, one brand’s “regular” can be another brand’s “long”, so always check the specific size chart before you buy.
Inside Leg Measurement vs Outseam vs Rise
Three lengths show up on trouser size charts, and they are easy to mix up. So here is how they relate.
| Measurement | Where it runs | What it controls |
|---|---|---|
| Inside leg (inseam) | Crotch seam to hem, along the inner leg | How long the legs are |
| Outseam | Top of the waistband to hem, along the outer leg | Total trouser length |
| Rise | Crotch seam to top of the waistband | Where the waist sits (low, mid or high) |
Put simply, the outseam is roughly the inside leg plus the rise. So two pairs with the same 31-inch inseam can have different outseams if one is high-rise and the other low-rise. For more detail, read our explainers on what an inseam measurement is and what an outseam measurement is.
Body vs Garment Inside Leg Measurement
The number you take on your body and the number on a label are related, but they are not always identical. Specifically, a body measurement to the floor is the longest version. Most people then choose a trouser inseam that is a bit shorter, so the hem sits on top of the shoe instead of under the heel.
| Style | Where the hem usually sits |
|---|---|
| Dress trousers with a full break | Resting on the shoe, with a soft fold at the front |
| Straight-leg jeans | Touching the top of the shoe |
| Cropped or ankle trousers | At or just above the ankle bone |
| Shorts | Mid-thigh to knee (a much shorter inseam) |
In practice, many tailors take the body length to the floor and then subtract for shoe height and the look you want. For this reason, the trousers-on-a-table method is a good cross-check.
Inside Leg Measurement for Children
Children grow quickly, so measure them every few months instead of relying on last season’s size. Overall, the method is the same: shoes off, standing straight, feet slightly apart, tape from the crotch to the floor or ankle. Keep it quick and gentle, because squirming throws off the reading. Also, note that EN 13402 sizes children’s trousers mainly by height, with waist as the second figure, so a kids’ label may not list leg length at all.
Do and Don’t for Accurate Results
Do
- Take off your shoes before measuring.
- Keep the tape straight and vertical.
- Write down both inches and cm.
- Cross-check with trousers that fit well.
- Read each brand’s size chart.
Don’t
- Measure over bulky jeans or joggers.
- Pull a fabric tape tight enough to stretch it.
- Bend your knees or lean to one side.
- Assume “regular” means the same everywhere.
- Guess from your height alone.
Honest Limits
Above all, a single number never tells the whole story. Fabric weight, leg shape and the cut of the trouser all change how a given length looks on you. In addition, brands measure their own garments slightly differently; some include the waistband seam and some do not. Your own body also changes a little through the day as you stand and sit. So treat any inside leg figure as a strong starting point rather than a guarantee, and allow half an inch either way.
When to Ask a Professional
In particular, for a suit, wedding outfit or uniform, a tailor’s measurement is worth the small cost. A tailor will also account for posture, uneven leg lengths and the exact break you want. Similarly, people with a medical reason for leg-length differences should follow advice from their doctor or physical therapist.
Inside Leg Measurement FAQs
What is an inside leg measurement?
It is the length from the crotch down the inner leg to the floor or ankle. On trousers, it runs from the crotch seam to the hem. Americans call it the inseam.
Is inside leg the same as inseam?
Yes. Inside leg is the British term and inseam is the American term. In other words, both describe the same length on the body and on trousers.
What does L mean on trouser sizes?
The L stands for length, which is the inside leg in inches. For example, a label of W32 L30 means a 32-inch waist and a 30-inch inside leg.
What is an average inside leg measurement?
Most adults fall between about 28 and 34 inches (71 to 86 cm). Men often wear 30 to 32 inches and women 29 to 31 inches, but it depends on height and leg proportions.
Do you measure inside leg to the floor or the ankle?
For a body figure, measure to the floor without shoes. For a trouser length, stop at the ankle bone or wherever you want the hem to sit.
How do I convert an inside leg measurement from inches to cm?
Multiply the inches by 2.54. For example, 31 inches times 2.54 equals 78.74 cm, which rounds to 78.7 cm.
Is outseam longer than inside leg?
Yes. The outseam runs from the top of the waistband to the hem, so it equals the inside leg plus roughly the rise.
Can I measure my inside leg without help?
Yes. First, press a hardcover book up between your legs, mark the top edge on a wall, then measure from the floor to the mark.
Should I round my inside leg up or down?
Round to the nearest half inch or centimeter. If you sit between two sizes, the longer one is usually easier to fix, because a tailor can shorten a hem.
How often should I check my inside leg measurement?
Adults rarely need to remeasure unless they change shoe styles or brands. Children should be measured every few months because they grow quickly.
Inside Leg Measurement: The Bottom Line
To sum up, inside leg is simply the UK name for the inseam. Specifically, you measure it from the crotch to the floor on your body, or from the crotch seam to the hem on trousers. Write it down in both inches and centimeters, because UK and US labels use inches while European charts use cm.
Finally, cross-check your body number against a pair that already fits, and compare it with each brand’s chart. If you need to switch units, the converter near the top of this page does it instantly.
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