How to Size a Belt: The Ultimate Guide for Men & Women
By The Blowes Clothing Team · Updated
This belt size guide comes down to one rule: belt size is measured from the inside of the buckle to the middle hole, not end to end, and most people need a belt one size (two inches) larger than their pant size. Below is how to measure, men's and women's size charts, and how ring, stretch and wide belts change the maths.
We get this question a lot in store, whether it's someone dressing up a suit for a wedding in Orange or pulling on a pair of R.M.Williams jeans for a weekend in Mudgee: what size belt do I actually need? Get it wrong and you're either squeezed onto the last hole or left with a tail flapping at your hip. Get it right and the buckle sits on the middle hole with room to move either way.
Quick answer: how do you size a belt?
- Belt size is measured from the inside edge of the buckle to the middle hole, never end to end.
- For a standard buckle belt, take your pant size and add two inches (one size up), so a 34 pant needs a 36 belt.
- Most accurate of all: measure a belt you already own from the buckle to the hole you use.
- For O-ring and plaited ring belts, go up two pant sizes to allow for the turn-back.
- Between sizes? Size up, since a long leather belt can be fixed and a short one can't.
How Is Belt Size Measured?
Belt size is the distance from where the leather meets the buckle to the middle hole, not the full length of the strap. That one detail explains most of the wrong sizes we see. Key facts:
- Five holes, measured to the third: standard belts have five adjustment holes, and the size on the label is measured to the middle one.
- The tail isn't counted: the strap past the middle hole is there so you can loosen or tighten, so a size 36 belt is longer than 36 inches end to end.
- Sizes step up in 5cm: at Blowes, belts like the R.M.Williams range run 77, 82, 87, 92 and so on, roughly two inches per size.
The goal is a buckle that fastens on the middle hole, with the tail tucking neatly into your first belt loop. Our quick video below walks through it in under a minute.
How Do You Measure Your Belt Size? 3 Methods
The most accurate way is to measure a belt you already wear, but your pant size or a tape measure will get you there too. Quick breakdown:
- Measure an existing belt (most accurate): lay a belt that fits you flat on a table and measure from where the leather meets the buckle to the hole you use most. If that's 92cm, you're a size 92.
- Pant size plus two inches (fastest): wear a 34 inch waist in your jeans? Buy a 36 inch belt, which is a 92 in centimetre sizing. Our belt fitting tips put it simply: one size up from your pant size.
- Measure your body: thread a soft tailor's tape through the belt loops of the pants you'll wear, measure where the belt will actually sit, then add two inches (about 5cm) for the thickness of your clothes.
Whichever method you use, measure with the pants you'll actually wear the belt with. A belt that fits your suit trousers may not suit a heavier pair of men's jeans.
Men's Belt Size Chart (Inches and CM)
For men, belt sizing is fairly straightforward, because most trousers and jeans sit at a similar spot on the waist. Find your pant size and read across:
| Pant waist | Belt size (inches) | Belt size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | 30 | 77 |
| 30 | 32 | 82 |
| 32 | 34 | 87 |
| 34 | 36 | 92 |
| 36 | 38 | 97 |
| 38 | 40 | 102 |
| 40 | 42 | 107 |
| 42 | 44 | 112 |
Width changes the feel as well. Key facts:
- Dress belts: slimmer straps like the 1 1/4 inch R.M.Williams Mens Dress Belt look sharpest sized strictly to the pant plus two rule.
- Work and casual belts: wider, thicker straps like the 1 1/2 inch Drover Belt in solid hide leather sit a little firmer, so size up if you're on the cusp.
How Do You Size a Women's Belt?
Women's belt sizing depends on where the belt will sit, because the same person might wear one at the natural waist, the mid-rise or the hips. Key facts:
- Over a dress or high-waisted trousers: measure your natural waist, the narrowest part of your torso. You may need a size down from the belt you wear with jeans.
- With mid-rise jeans: use the pant plus two rule, the same as men's sizing.
- On the hips with low-rise jeans: add three to four inches to your natural waist measurement.
Use your AU dress size to find your waist, then the belt size to buy for wearing with mid-rise jeans:
| AU size | Waist | Belt for jeans |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 28in / 72cm | 30in / 77cm |
| 8 | 30in / 77cm | 32in / 82cm |
| 10 | 32in / 82cm | 34in / 87cm |
| 12 | 34in / 87cm | 36in / 92cm |
| 14 | 36in / 92cm | 38in / 97cm |
| 16 | 38in / 97cm | 40in / 102cm |
| 18 | 40in / 102cm | 42in / 107cm |
| 20 | 42in / 107cm | 44in / 112cm |
Wearing the belt over a dress instead? Buy close to your waist measurement rather than the jeans size.
Our women's belt size guide converts waist measurements to AU, EU and US sizes if you're shopping across brands. Both belts below are sized 26 to 40 in inches, so match your measurement straight to the size.
The slim 3/4 inch Ayers works over dresses and skirts, while the 1 1/4 inch Margot is made for jeans. Browse the full women's belts range for more widths and colours.
Does Belt Size Change With the Style or Material?
Yes. How a belt fastens and how much it gives both change the size you need. Quick breakdown:
| Belt type | How to size it |
|---|---|
| Standard leather buckle belt | Pant size plus two inches (one size up) |
| O-ring or plaited ring belt | Up two pant sizes, or waist plus 10cm |
| Braided stretch belt | Close to your actual waist size |
| Wide or thick work belt | Pant plus two, rounding up if between sizes |
- Ring belts need extra length: the Badgery Queenslander is hand plaited from 12 strands of kangaroo leather and fastens through two rings with a 10cm turn-back, so measure your waist and add 10cm.
- Stretch belts forgive a little: braided elastic styles flex to fit, so many people buy close to their waist size for a comfortable, secure hold.
- Leather moulds, it doesn't stretch: a good leather belt shapes to you over time, but it won't give an extra size, so don't buy tight expecting it to loosen.
What Are the Most Common Belt Sizing Mistakes?
Nearly every belt that comes back to us for the wrong size traces to one of four slip-ups. Key facts:
- Buying your exact pant size: a size 34 belt for size 34 pants will almost always be too small, because the belt goes around the waistband and a tucked-in shirt.
- Measuring end to end: the full strap includes the tail, which isn't part of the size.
- Ignoring the rise: a belt that fits high-waisted trousers will likely be too short for low-rise jeans.
- Sizing down for a snug fit: a belt that's too tight warps the leather and pulls at the stitching over time.
Once you've got the fit right, look after it. Hang belts from the buckle rather than leaving them looped in your pants, and give leather a light coat of leather conditioner once or twice a year, the same care you'd give your R.M.Williams boots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size belt should I buy for a 34 inch waist?
Go for a 36 inch belt, which is a size 92 in centimetre sizing. Adding two inches to your pant size lets the belt wrap around the waistband and a tucked-in shirt, so the buckle lands on the middle hole with room to adjust either way. If you're between sizes, size up rather than down.
Is belt size the same as pant size?
No. Your pant size measures your body, while a belt has to go around the outside of the waistband and anything tucked in. That's why most people need a belt one size, or two inches, larger than their pant size. A size 34 belt for size 34 pants will almost always be too tight.
How do I measure my belt size without a tape measure?
Thread a piece of string through the belt loops of the pants you'll wear, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler. No ruler handy? A sheet of A4 paper is about 30cm on its long side, which works as a rough guide. Add about 5cm, or two inches, to get your belt size.
Should I size up or down if I'm between belt sizes?
Size up. A leather belt that's slightly long can have an extra hole punched by a cobbler, but one that's too short can't be fixed and will pull at the stitching over time. Sizing up also leaves room for thicker winter layers or a heavier pair of jeans.
What size belt do I need for an O-ring or plaited belt?
Go up two pant sizes. Ring belts like the Badgery Queenslander fasten with a turn-back through the rings, which uses around 10cm of extra length. Measure your waist where the belt will sit, add 10cm, then pick the nearest size above that number.
How do I size a belt to wear with a dress?
Measure your natural waist, the narrowest part of your torso, where the belt will actually sit. With no denim or waistband to go around, a belt worn over a dress usually lands close to your true waist measurement, so you may need a smaller size than the belt you wear with jeans.
How long should the tail of a belt be?
Fastened on the middle hole, the tail should reach just past the buckle and tuck neatly into the first belt loop. If it reaches the second loop or wraps towards your back, the belt is too long. If it can't reach the first loop, it's too short and you've lost room to loosen it.
Shop the Belt Edit
The belts featured in this guide, from dress leather to ring and stretch styles.
Not sure which belt is right for you? Browse the full men's belts and women's belts, or drop into one of our stores for hands-on, in-store expertise.
Still not sure which belt size to get?
As a third-generation, family-owned business fitting Australian men and women since 1936, we've measured more waists than we could count, and we're happy to measure yours. Bring in the pants you'll wear the belt with and we'll fit it on the spot, or give our team a call.
