Assembling the tape
- Print at 100% scale and check the scale bars.
- Cut out every strip along the solid outline, keeping the shaded glue tabs.
- Put strip 2's tab under the bottom end of strip 1 so the numbers continue (8 follows 8 on Letter). Glue or tape it, then repeat for each strip.
- For a tape that lasts, cover both sides with clear tape. It also stops the paper from stretching.
How to take body measurements
- Waist: around the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button. Keep the tape level and snug but not tight.
- Chest or bust: around the fullest part, under the arms, with the tape level across the back.
- Hips: around the fullest part of the hips and seat, with your feet together.
- Head (hats and helmets): around the forehead about 1 cm above the eyebrows and ears.
- Inseam: from the crotch to the floor along the inside of the leg. A second person makes this much easier.
Write the number down in both units. Many size charts online use centimetres even when the shop is in the US.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the printed tape measure?
60 inches (152.4 cm) in total. On Letter paper that is 8 strips of 8 inches, and on A4 the strips are slightly longer.
Is a paper tape measure accurate for clothing sizes?
Yes, as long as it was printed at 100% scale and the joints were aligned carefully. Paper does not stretch the way old cloth tapes do. Avoid pulling it tight around curves.
My printout is slightly too small. What went wrong?
Almost always the print window was set to "Fit to page", "Fit to printable area" or "Shrink oversized pages", which shrinks the page by 3–6%. Print again with Scale 100% or Actual size. See how to print at actual size for every browser.
Last reviewed 2026-10-07.