How this calculator works
Belt sizes are confusing because a numerical size, a general size and a belt length are three different things. The numerical size in North America is usually the waist in inches, so a 34 belt suits a waist near 34 inches or 86 cm. The belt itself is measured from the buckle to the hole you normally use, and that hole should sit about 5 cm beyond the waist so the belt is comfortable rather than tight. The calculator converts whichever measurement you have into the other two, then looks up the general size and, for women, a dress size from the same waist.
Formula
belt length = waist + comfort allowance. waist = belt length - comfort allowance. waist in cm = numerical size x 2.54. general size = the chart range containing the waist. numerical size = waist in cm / 2.54, rounded to a whole number.
Worked example
A waist of 85 cm with a 5 cm comfort allowance gives a belt length of 90 cm. That waist is 33.5 inches, so the numerical size is 34, and on the men's chart it falls in size L, which covers waists from 91 to 97 cm at the belt length.
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Frequently asked questions
Where do I measure my waist for a belt?
Measure around the place you actually wear the belt, usually over trousers or a skirt rather than bare skin. If you wear belts at the hips as well as the waist, measure each and choose the length for the position you use most.
Should I measure a belt to the tip or to the hole?
To the hole you use, not the tip. The tip can extend 10 cm or more beyond the working hole, so measuring the whole belt makes the result too long.
Why is the general size not the same as the numerical size?
The numerical size is in inches and the general size is a letter range. They are different scales that overlap. A 34 belt is often sold as a medium or a large depending on the maker, which is why the waist range matters more than the letter.
Does a dress size convert directly to a belt size?
Only through the waist. Dress sizes are built from bust, waist and hip measurements, and two dresses in the same size can be cut differently. The chart uses the waist range for each size, so treat the result as a starting point.