Leggings Size Chart: Sizes, Inseam Lengths and Compression
Leggings stretch, so the size label matters less than in jeans, but the wrong size still shows: too small turns sheer and rolls down, too long bunches at the ankle. Here are the sizes, the inseam for each length and height, and what compression numbers actually mean.
Leggings follow women's letter sizes: a medium fits a 28.5-29.5 in (72-75 cm) waist and 38.5-39.5 in (98-100 cm) hip, equal to US 8-10. Length is set by inseam: for someone 5 ft 4 in (163 cm), full-length leggings have a 27-28 in (69-71 cm) inseam, 7/8 leggings about 24-25 in and capris 19-21 in.
- Medium hip
- 38.5-39.5 in
- Full length at 5 ft 4
- 27-28 in inseam
- 7/8 length
- about 24-25 in
- Capri
- about 19-21 in
On this page
Leggings size chart
Most activewear and fashion brands size leggings in letters, some in women's numeric sizes. Hip is the measurement to trust: leggings have to stretch over the seat, while the waistband can sit at different heights.
| Letter | US | UK | Waist | Hip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 0-2 | 4-6 | 24.5-25.5 in (62-65 cm) | 34.5-35.5 in (88-90 cm) |
| S | 4-6 | 8-10 | 26.5-27.5 in (67-70 cm) | 36.5-37.5 in (93-95 cm) |
| M | 8-10 | 12-14 | 28.5-29.5 in (72-75 cm) | 38.5-39.5 in (98-100 cm) |
| L | 12-14 | 16-18 | 31-32.5 in (79-83 cm) | 41-42.5 in (104-108 cm) |
| XL | 16-18 | 20-22 | 34-36 in (86-91 cm) | 44-46 in (112-117 cm) |
| 1X | 14W-16W | 18-20 | 36-38 in (91-97 cm) | 46-48 in (117-122 cm) |
| 2X | 18W-20W | 22-24 | 39-42 in (99-107 cm) | 49-52 in (124-132 cm) |
| 3X | 22W-24W | 26-28 | 43-46 in (109-117 cm) | 53-56 in (135-142 cm) |
Plus sizes vary more between brands than misses sizes do, so treat the 1X-3X rows as typical values. If your waist and hip fall in different rows, choose by hip unless the waistband is very firm, in which case pick the larger of the two.
Leggings lengths and inseams
Leggings are named by where they end on the leg. Since they are meant to fit closely, the inseam should match your leg rather than leave extra fabric to bunch.
| Length | Ends at | Typical inseam |
|---|---|---|
| Full length | Ankle bone | 26-31 in (66-79 cm), by height |
| 7/8 | Just above the ankle bone | 23-26 in (58-66 cm) |
| Crop | Lower calf | 21-23 in (53-58 cm) |
| Capri | Mid-calf, below the knee | 17-21 in (43-53 cm) |
| Knee length | Knee | 12-14 in (30-36 cm) |
| Bike short | Mid-thigh | 5-8 in (13-20 cm) |
Which inseam for your height
Activewear brands often sell the same legging in two or three inseams, such as 25 in and 28 in. Use this table to pick, then adjust by an inch if you know your legs are long or short for your height.
| Height | Full length | 7/8 length |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 ft 1 in (155 cm) | 24-25 in (61-64 cm) | 22-23 in (56-58 cm) |
| 5 ft 1 in - 5 ft 3 in (155-160 cm) | 25-27 in (64-69 cm) | 23-24 in (58-61 cm) |
| 5 ft 4 in - 5 ft 6 in (163-168 cm) | 27-28 in (69-71 cm) | 24-25 in (61-64 cm) |
| 5 ft 7 in - 5 ft 9 in (170-175 cm) | 28-30 in (71-76 cm) | 25-26 in (64-66 cm) |
| 5 ft 10 in and up (178 cm+) | 30-32 in (76-81 cm) | 26-28 in (66-71 cm) |
To measure your own leggings inseam, stand barefoot and measure from the crotch down the inside of the leg to the ankle bone. That number is your full-length inseam; subtract about 3 in for a 7/8 length. If leggings bunch in rings around the ankle, they are 1-2 in too long for you.
Signs your leggings are the wrong size
Too small
- Fabric turns sheer over the seat or knees when you bend
- Waistband rolls down or digs in
- Seams pull and show stitches at the crotch or inner thigh
- Crotch gusset sits below your body ("camel toe" or droop)
Too big
- Fabric wrinkles behind the knees and at the ankles
- You pull the waistband up after every few steps
- The gusset sags, and the leggings twist on the leg
- Compression styles feel no different from loose pants
The sheerness problem is size, not just fabric quality: stretched beyond its design range, any knit opens up. If the hip measurement sits at the very top of a size range, take the next size, especially in light colors.
Compression leggings and what mmHg means
Most athletic leggings described as "compression" do not state a pressure. They are simply cut smaller and use firmer knit. Medical compression garments are different: they are graded in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) measured at the ankle and are sized by limb circumference, not by dress size.
| Level | Pressure | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Mild (US, over the counter) | 8-15 mmHg | Tired legs, long periods standing |
| Moderate (US, over the counter) | 15-20 mmHg | Travel, pregnancy swelling, minor varicose veins |
| Firm (US, medical) | 20-30 mmHg | Varicose veins, after treatment; often prescribed |
| Extra firm (US, medical) | 30-40 mmHg | Severe venous disease, lymphedema; prescribed |
| German class 1 / 2 / 3 | 18-21 / 23-32 / 34-46 mmHg | RAL-GZ 387 medical classes used in Europe |
Medical compression tights are sized from ankle, calf and thigh circumferences plus leg length, usually measured in the morning before swelling builds. Anyone with circulation problems, diabetes or arterial disease should get firm-level garments fitted on medical advice.
Men's, kids' and maternity leggings
- Men's tights and running leggings use the men's waist chart: S fits about a 28-30 in (71-76 cm) waist, M 31-33 in, L 34-36 in and XL 37-40 in. They usually come in one length with a 29-31 in inseam. Base-layer and compression tights are covered in the athletic wear size guide.
- Kids' leggings are sized by age (2T-5T, then 4-16) or by European height in centimeters. Because they stretch, choose by the child's height so the length is right; width rarely limits fit.
- Maternity leggings come in your pre-pregnancy size with an over-bump or under-bump panel. The maternity clothes guide explains which panel suits each trimester.
Leggings used for yoga need room for deep bends; a high-rise waistband of about 10-12 in front rise stays put better in forward folds than a mid rise. The space you need on the floor is in our yoga mat size guide. For woven trousers, see the pant size chart, and for shorter versions the shorts inseam guide.
Frequently asked questions
What inseam leggings for a 5 ft 4 in woman?
About 27-28 in (69-71 cm) for full length to the ankle, 24-25 in (61-64 cm) for a 7/8 length that ends a little above the ankle bone, and 19-21 in (48-53 cm) for capris. Leggings with a 25 in inseam work as full length only for women about 5 ft 1 in and under.
Should leggings be tight or loose?
Snug but not compressing: the waistband should stay up without rolling, and the fabric should not turn see-through when you bend. If you can see skin tone through the seat in a squat, size up. Bagging at the knee or ankle means the size or length is too big.
Do leggings run small?
Performance leggings with high elastane and firm compression often feel a size smaller than jeans. Cotton-blend and brushed fashion leggings usually run true to size. Check whether the brand chart lists body or garment measurements before you decide.
What does one size leggings fit?
Most "one size" leggings are designed to stretch from about US 0-2 to US 10-12. Brands that sell a plus one size or "tall and curvy" version typically cover about US 12-14 to 18-20. Because they stretch to fit, one-size leggings get thinner and more sheer near the top of their range.
What size leggings for a 30 inch waist?
A 30 in (76 cm) waist is a medium-to-large: medium fits up to about 29.5 in and large starts at about 31 in. If your hip is under 40 in, take the medium; if it is over 40.5 in, take the large.