How to Measure Belt Size: 3 Effective Methods

Have you ever come across a great belt but didn’t know it would fit? Say goodbye to those problems as we teach you how to measure belt size.
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Getting your belt size right may sound like an easy and trivial task. However, many men and women around the world struggle every day with the way their belt fits them. This usually occurs because the belt is not the proper size for them. Also, having your belt size wrong, besides making you uncomfortable, means that you’ll need to adjust your pants all the time, which can be pretty embarrassing, especially in public. All of this happens due to people not being informed on how to measure belt size. Don’t worry; we’re here to help.

Belt Size vs Waist Size

Most people think that the belt and waist sizes are the same. However, this is not correct, as your waist size number doesn’t correspond to the same number of belt size that you’ll need to wear. Waist and belt sizes are both measured in inches and centimeters, depending on where they’re manufactured; however, the belt size is not the same as the waist size.

Waist size covers the whole waist area measured from the beginning of the measuring point and ending at the same point, whereas the belt size is measured from the buckle of the belt up to the middle hole of the belt. Most belts have five holes, and the number written on the back of the belt indicates the length of the belt from the end to the middle hole of the belt. 

Different types of belts

Many types of belts are suitable for specific or general use, and each of them has certain qualities that enable better performance and increased comfort in particular activities.

First of all, casual belts are made of light and flexible material and are great for everyday use, as well as certain sports activities such as golfing. Then, we have leather belts which, in contrast to casual belts, are made of solid material and aren’t flexible. Since they have a very stylish look, leather belts are preferred with formal clothes like suits but can also be worn with everyday clothes like jeans. Leather belts can be further divided into other categories, such as braided leather belts, suit leather belts, and suede belts, which are more of a casual style. 

There are also other belts, such as work belts and tactical belts, which are employed for work and can easily carry a tool belt. These belts are built with synthetic and flexible materials and are very durable and performance-oriented products. Depending on the type of belt you use, getting the correct belt size may vary in importance. While belts with flexible materials give you more room for error, it’s crucial to get the right size for hard belts.

How to measure belt size based on pant size? 

As we mentioned before, the pant/waist size is not the same as the belt size. The difference between them is that the belt size is measured up to the middle hole of the belt. But also, the fact that the belt has a thicker layer and it’s worn over the pants means it will fit around the waist at a slightly wider angle than the pants. Therefore, it has been estimated that your belt size will usually be 2 inches longer than your pants/waist size.

How to measure belt size with a tape measure?

You can determine your belt size using a tape measure in three easy steps. First, you have to wear a pair of pants that you usually wear and plan to wear with the belt you want to buy. Secondly, you get your tape measure and put it around your pants just like you put on a belt. Thirdly you put the tape measure in front of your belly where the middle belt hole is usually located and write down the measured length. This way, you can understand the length of the belt you need to buy.

How to measure belt size using a previous belt?

One of the most effective ways to make sure that the next belt you buy is well-fitting is to measure a well-fitting belt you already use. To do this, you need to get the well-fitting belt and measure from the hole where you put the buckle to the end of the belt. The length you’ll get will give you a good standard to judge future belts you’ll consider buying.

How long should your belt be?

Depending on the type of belt and the type of clothes you’ll pair it with, the proper length of a belt will vary. Usually, with dress/suit belts, you want them to be shorter than casual belts and don’t want to surpass much length beyond the first belt loop of your pants. In contrast, when it comes to casual belts, you want a longer belt, with the middle hole being the best fitting place to buckle. 

With casual belts and jeans, a looser fitting belt running through two belt loops past the buckle is still acceptable. However, you still don’t want a belt that you’ll need to buckle to the last hole and have the rest of the belt come down all the way behind your back. Besides giving you a bad look, this scenario is also pretty impractical. Therefore, it’s essential to measure your belt so that the middle hole gives you the appropriate tightness you need.

Conclusion

Getting your belt size right is essential for a stylish and formal look. Determining the size of your belt is a relatively easy task that not all people know about. In his article, we went through some info, tips, and methods to give you all the know-how you need to measure and choose the best fitting belt size. Hopefully, this how to measure your belt size guide was helpful in resolving any confusion you might have had regarding belt size.

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