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Model measurements: how to measure yourself for agencies

Learn how to measure height, bust or chest, waist, hips, shoe size, and more for modeling agency submissions and comp cards.

Model measurements are not about judging your body. They are practical information agencies, clients, stylists, and wardrobe teams use to understand fit, proportions, and sample sizing.

If your measurements are wrong, you can create problems before anyone sees you in person. A too-small waist, guessed height, or outdated shoe size can make your comp card look less professional and make fittings harder later.

This guide shows you how to measure yourself clearly and calmly.

A model taking accurate measurements for a comp card and agency submission

Quick Answer

Most modeling submissions and comp cards ask for:

  • Height
  • Bust or chest
  • Waist
  • Hips
  • Shoe size
  • Hair color
  • Eye color
  • Sometimes inseam, dress size, suit size, or collar size

Use a soft measuring tape, stand naturally, and measure twice. Do not pull the tape tight to make a number smaller. Accuracy is more useful than a "better" number.

What You Need

You need:

  • Soft measuring tape
  • Mirror
  • Plain fitted clothing
  • Flat wall
  • Pencil or phone notes
  • A second person if possible

If you are measuring for a teen model, a parent or guardian should help and keep the process neutral and practical.

How To Measure Height

Stand barefoot with your back against a wall. Keep your heels, back, and head as natural as possible. Look straight ahead, not up or down.

Place a flat object on top of your head, mark the wall lightly, then measure from floor to mark.

Do not include shoes unless a form specifically asks for height in heels.

How To Measure Bust Or Chest

Wrap the tape around the fullest part of the bust or chest. Keep the tape level across the back and front. Stand normally and breathe naturally.

Do not pull the tape tight. Do not push the body into a different shape. Agencies need fit information, not a compressed number.

How To Measure Waist

Measure around your natural waist. This is usually the narrowest part of the torso, above the belly button and below the ribcage.

Stand naturally. Do not suck in. Do not measure around the waistband of low-rise jeans unless that is truly your natural waist.

How To Measure Hips

Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat. Keep the tape level all the way around.

This is one of the measurements beginners often get wrong because they measure too high. If the tape is around your hip bones but not the fullest part, measure again.

How To Measure Inseam

Inseam is the inside leg length from crotch to ankle. Not every beginner form asks for it, but it can be useful for commercial, e-commerce, and fit-related work.

It is easiest to measure using a pair of trousers that fit well:

  1. Lay the trousers flat.
  2. Measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the leg.
  3. Note the unit.

Shoe Size, Hair, And Eyes

Use your actual shoe size in the market you are applying to. If applying internationally, include both systems when possible.

For hair and eyes, use simple descriptive terms:

  • Brown hair
  • Dark blonde hair
  • Black hair
  • Blue eyes
  • Brown eyes
  • Hazel eyes

Avoid overly creative labels. Keep it scannable.

Metric Or Imperial?

Use the system the agency form asks for. If there is no form, include both:

Height: 5'9" / 175 cm
Waist: 25 in / 64 cm

For international submissions, both systems reduce friction.

Common Measurement Mistakes

Pulling the tape too tight

This creates numbers that may look smaller but are less useful. Wardrobe and fittings need accuracy.

Measuring over bulky clothes

Use fitted clothing or measure over light layers only.

Using old measurements

If your comp card is going out today, measure today. Bodies change, and old stats can cause awkward problems later.

Guessing height

Many beginners guess height from memory. Measure it properly.

Measuring hips too high

Hips means the fullest part, not the waistband.

Copy-Paste Stats Format

Use this in your submission email or comp card:

Name:
Location:
Height:
Bust/chest:
Waist:
Hips:
Shoe:
Hair:
Eyes:
Age: [if required]

Example:

Name: Alex Rivera
Location: Amsterdam, NL
Height: 175 cm / 5'9"
Bust/chest: 86 cm / 34 in
Waist: 64 cm / 25 in
Hips: 91 cm / 36 in
Shoe: EU 39 / US 8
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Hazel

What To Do Next

Once your measurements are accurate, add them to your comp card. Then pair the comp card with clean digitals. Together, those two pieces give agencies a much clearer first read than a random portfolio folder.

Need the full package? Read the comp card guide, take clean modeling digitals, then build your free comp card.