SnapList AI
How-to

How to measure clothes for resale (pit-to-pit, length, inseam, rise)

· SnapList AI team

Sizes on labels are a rough guide. Two items marked “M” can fit very differently, and vintage sizing can be far from modern sizing. Measurements give buyers numbers they can compare with a garment they already own, which tends to mean fewer questions and fewer returns.

The good news is that measuring takes a flexible tape and a flat surface. The important part is doing it the same way every time.

What you need

  • A soft tape measure with both cm and inches.
  • A clean, flat table or bed.
  • A notepad or phone notes app.

Smooth the item flat. Do not stretch it. Button or zip it up. Let it lie naturally.

Rules that apply to everything

  1. Measure flat. Lay the item on a table, not on a body.
  2. Do not stretch. Measure the fabric as it rests.
  3. Be consistent. Always measure from the same points, so your numbers mean the same thing across listings.
  4. Write the unit. “cm” or “in”, every time. If you can, give both.
  5. Record what you measured. Never estimate or copy from the label’s size chart. A number in a listing should be one you took yourself.
  6. Note stretch. If the fabric is stretchy, say so in plain words; do not guess how far.

Tops: shirts, jumpers, jackets, dresses

Pit-to-pit (chest). Lay the top flat. Measure straight across from the underarm seam on one side to the underarm seam on the other. This is a flat measurement, so some sellers double it to give a full circumference. If you do, state clearly that it is doubled. Most listings simply say “pit to pit”.

Length. Measure from the highest point of the shoulder, next to the collar, straight down to the hem. For dresses, use the same start point and go to the bottom hem.

Sleeve length. Measure from the shoulder seam to the end of the cuff, along the top of the arm.

Shoulder width. Measure straight across from one shoulder seam to the other, if you want to include it. It is especially useful for jackets and blazers.

Bottoms: trousers, jeans, skirts

Waist. Fasten the waistband, lay it flat and measure straight across. Some sellers double it; again, say which you did.

Rise. Measure from the crotch seam up to the top of the waistband, along the front. The rise tells a buyer where the trousers sit on the body.

Inseam. Measure along the inside leg from the crotch seam down to the bottom of the hem.

Leg opening. Measure straight across the hem, if relevant. It helps with bootcut and wide-leg styles.

Skirt length. From the top of the waistband to the hem.

Shoes

For shoes, the printed size and the size system matter most, so copy them exactly from the label or the insole. Then add:

  • Insole length. Measure inside the shoe from the back of the heel to the tip of the toe, along the insole.
  • Width, at the widest point, if you wish.

Do not convert between sizing systems from memory. If a label shows several, list them as printed.

Bags

  • Width across the widest part.
  • Height from the bottom to the top edge.
  • Depth from front to back at the base.
  • Strap drop, from the top of the strap to where it joins the bag, if it matters.

Take bag measurements with the bag empty and lying naturally.

cm and inches

Buyers in different countries use different units. If you can, give both, for example “pit to pit 54 cm / 21.3 in”. Take the measurement in one unit and convert once, rounding sensibly. Mixing the two while measuring leads to mistakes.

Why buyers want the numbers

Buyers cannot try the item on. A measurement lets them compare it with something in their wardrobe. It also protects you: if the numbers are in the listing and match the item, it is hard for a buyer to claim it was misdescribed.

Keep the numbers factual, and keep flaws in the same description. Condition and flaws and our post on writing a Depop description show where measurements go in a listing.

Keep a routine

A routine helps more than any single trick:

  1. Photograph the label first.
  2. Lay the item flat and smooth it.
  3. Measure in the same order each time.
  4. Write the numbers down straight away, with units.
  5. Re-check any figure that looks odd.

If you list from a tool such as SnapList AI, you type the measurements yourself and they are kept as numbers; nothing is measured or filled in for you. See measurements for how that works.

Quick checklist

  • Soft tape, flat surface, item smoothed but not stretched.
  • Tops: pit-to-pit, length, and sleeve if useful.
  • Bottoms: waist, rise, inseam, and leg opening if useful.
  • Shoes: size as printed, plus insole length.
  • Bags: width, height, depth.
  • State whether a figure is flat or doubled.
  • Write the unit every time; give cm and inches if you can.
  • Only list numbers you measured yourself.

Marketplace rules change. Check the current rules in the app or help centre before you rely on a limit. Last reviewed 29 October 2026.