Measure your waist at the narrowest part of your torso, roughly halfway between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hip bones, not necessarily at the belly button. This spot is often just above the navel and is where your body naturally “creases” if you bend sideways.

Exact spot to measure

  • Stand up straight and relax your stomach; do not suck it in.
  • Find the halfway point between your lowest rib and the top of your hip bone on one side of your body.
  • Wrap the tape around that level so it goes horizontally around your body, keeping it snug but not tight.

Common alternatives and when they’re used

  • Health guidelines usually use either:
    • The narrowest point of your waist, or
    • A line level with your belly button, aligned with the top of your hip bones.
  • Clothing brands sometimes define waist at the natural waist (smallest part, above the navel) when giving size charts.

Tips for accurate, repeatable measurements

  • Always measure against bare skin or over very thin clothing.
  • Keep the tape level all the way around, especially across your lower back.
  • Breathe normally and take the number right after you exhale gently.
  • Measure at the same time of day (for example, in the morning before eating) to track changes consistently.

Meta description: Learn exactly where to measure your waist for health tracking and clothing sizes, including whether to use the belly button, hip bone, or natural waistline, plus accuracy tips. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.