Leggings are the easiest bottoms to wear and one of the harder ones to buy online: the stretch hides size errors until the fabric thins out, and the length varies. This calculator takes your waist, hips and height, finds your size on Nike’s women’s bottoms chart and tells you whether to look at short, regular or tall versions.
How to use the leggings size calculator
- Measure your waist at the narrowest part of the torso and your hips at the fullest part, tape horizontal.
- Enter your height to see the length version.
- Read the size. The recommendation follows the hips; the waist size is shown for comparison.
Leggings size formula (chart lookup)
short ≤ 5′4″ · regular · tall 5′8″–6′ (select styles)
short: inseam −2 in, rise −3/8 in · tall: inseam +2 in, rise +1/2 in
The table is Nike’s women’s bottoms chart, as used for the Pants / Trouser Size Calculator (retrieved 2026-10-15), with the fit notes from the same page. The numeric sizes come from Nike’s women’s numeric chart, by hips.
| Women | Waist (in) | Hip (in) |
|---|---|---|
| XXS | 21.25 – 23.5 | 30.5 – 33 |
| XS | 23.5 – 26 | 33 – 35.5 |
| S | 26 – 29 | 35.5 – 38.5 |
| M | 29 – 31.5 | 38.5 – 41 |
| L | 31.5 – 34.5 | 41 – 44 |
| XL | 34.5 – 38.5 | 44 – 47 |
| XXL | 38.5 – 42.5 | 47 – 50 |
Worked example
Waist 29 in, hips 39 in, height 5′6″.
- Waist 29 → S; hips 39 → M (US 8–10, numeric 10).
- 5′6″ is neither short nor tall on Nike’s bands: Regular.
Measuring accurately
Stand relaxed and measure over thin clothing or underwear. For the waist, bend to one side and measure around the crease that forms; for the hips, stand with your feet together and measure around the fullest part, including the seat. Take each measurement twice and use the larger if they differ. Leggings are made of stretch fabric, so the chart ranges are wide, and a reading that lands exactly on a boundary can go either way. If you are on a boundary and the fabric is thin, choose the larger size to avoid sheer patches when the fabric is stretched.
Choosing leggings
- Squat test: in a good fit the fabric does not turn sheer when you bend.
- Waistband: it should stay put without rolling.
- Length: a full-length legging that pools at the ankle is too long; consider short versions.
- Compression: compression styles fit snugger, so do not size down.
See also the Shorts Size Calculator and Jeans Size Calculator. The results are general guidance from published charts.
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 (hips, short and tall bottoms) — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — women’s numeric size chart — checked 2026-10-15
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose leggings size?
Measure your waist and hips and look them up on the chart; Nike says to order the size indicated by your hips when the two differ. Leggings are stretchy, so a close fit is expected, but they should not feel restrictive.
What are short and tall leggings?
On Nike’s charts short bottoms are for people 5′4″ (163 cm) and under, with an inseam 2 inches (5 cm) shorter and a rise 3/8 inch (1 cm) shorter than regular. Tall bottoms are for 5′8″ to 6′ (173–183 cm), with a 2 inch longer inseam and a ½ inch longer rise. Only select styles come in these lengths.
Do leggings follow dress sizes?
Roughly: on the chart a medium covers US 8 to 10. Use the numeric result if the shop lists numbers. See the Pants / Trouser Size Calculator for more sizes.
Should I size up if the fabric is thin?
Thin or light-coloured leggings can become see-through when stretched, so some people size up for those. The chart does not say; check the product reviews.
What about ankle length?
Ankle leggings should end at the ankle bone; your inseam from the Inseam Calculator helps check the length.