When trousers, shorts, skirts or leggings do not fit, it is usually the hips. They are the part of the body a garment must pass over, and the part that most size charts tell you to follow when waist and hips disagree. This calculator takes your hip measurement and returns the letter and number size on Nike’s published charts for women and men.
How to use the hip size calculator
- Choose women’s or men’s sizing.
- Measure around the fullest part of your hips, including the seat, with your feet together and the tape horizontal.
- Enter the number in inches or centimetres.
- Read the sizes. The letter covers a range; the number is more precise.
Hip size formula (chart lookup)
hips and waist differ → follow the hips (Nike)
The ranges are copied from Nike’s bottoms alpha charts and numeric charts (retrieved 2026-10-15). They are body measurements. A measurement on the upper limit belongs to that size. Centimetres are inches multiplied by 2.54.
| Women | Hip (in) | Hip (cm) | US | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | 30.5 – 33 | 77 – 84 | 0 | 2 | 30 |
| XS | 33 – 35.5 | 84 – 90 | 0–2 | 4–6 | 32–34 |
| S | 35.5 – 38.5 | 90 – 98 | 4–6 | 8–10 | 36–38 |
| M | 38.5 – 41 | 98 – 104 | 8–10 | 12–14 | 40–42 |
| L | 41 – 44 | 104 – 112 | 12–14 | 16–18 | 44–46 |
| XL | 44 – 47 | 112 – 119 | 16–18 | 20–22 | 48–50 |
| XXL | 47 – 50 | 119 – 127 | 20–22 | 24–26 | 52–54 |
| Men | Hip (in) | Hip (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| XXS | 28.5 – 31.5 | 72 – 80 |
| XS | 31.5 – 35 | 80 – 89 |
| S | 35 – 37.5 | 89 – 95 |
| M | 37.5 – 41 | 95 – 104 |
| L | 41 – 44 | 104 – 112 |
| XL | 44 – 47 | 112 – 119 |
| XXL | 47 – 50.5 | 119 – 128 |
| 3XL | 50.5 – 53.5 | 128 – 136 |
| 4XL | 53.5 – 58.5 | 136 – 149 |
Worked example
A woman measures 40 inches around the hips.
- 40 is above S (which ends at 38.5) and within M (38.5–41) → letter M (hips 38.5–41 in).
- Numeric chart: 40 is within size 10 (hip 40). UK 12–14, EU 40–42.
Hips and fit
- Fabric: stretch fabrics forgive a size; woven fabrics do not.
- Rise: low-rise garments sit on the hips; high-rise garments sit above them.
- Take it twice: measure on two different days and use the larger figure.
- Borderline: smaller size for a tighter fit, larger for a looser fit (Nike).
See also the Pants / Trouser Size Calculator, Skirt Size Calculator and Jeans Size Calculator. The sizes are general guidance.
Sources
Every figure above comes from these pages, read directly on the dates shown. Brand names are used only to identify published charts.
- Nike — women’s bottoms size chart (waist, hip) — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — women’s numeric size chart — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — men’s bottoms size chart — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — men’s numeric bottoms chart — checked 2026-10-15
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my hips?
Stand with your feet together and wrap the tape around the fullest part of your hips and seat, keeping it horizontal. Nike’s instruction is the fullest part of your hips with the tape horizontal. Do not pull it tight.
Why do hips decide trousers sizes?
Nike’s charts say that if your waist and hips point to different sizes you should order the size indicated by your hips, because the garment has to pass over the hips and cannot be altered easily there.
How wide are the hip ranges?
On Nike’s women’s bottoms chart each letter covers 2.5 to 3 inches of hip: S is 35.5–38.5, M is 38.5–41, L is 41–44. The numeric sizes are 1.5 to 2 inches apart.
Is hip size the same as hip circumference?
Yes: it is the circumference at the fullest part, in inches or centimetres. It is not a width. A hip circumference of 40 inches is 101.6 cm.
What about waist and bust?
Use the Waist Size Calculator for waistbands and the Chest Size Calculator for bust. For dresses see the Dress Size Calculator.