Men's Belt Size Guide: How to Measure for the Right Fit
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Most belt sizing problems come from one mix-up: a belt size is not the same as your trouser size. A belt goes around your waist and your clothes, and it needs room to fasten in a middle hole, so it has to be a little longer than your waistband. Here is how to get it right first time.
How our belt sizes work
On our men's leather belts, the size you pick is your waist size. The belt itself is roughly 6 inches longer than that. So if you choose 36, you get a belt of about 42 inches in total length, which leaves enough strap to fasten comfortably with some spare to tuck into the first loop.
Method 1: measure a belt you already own
This is the most reliable way, because it starts from a belt that already fits you.
- Lay the belt flat on a table.
- Measure from the fold where the leather wraps around the buckle to the hole you use most often.
- That number, in inches, is your belt size. Pick the closest size on the product page.
Do not measure the full length of the strap, and do not include the buckle itself. Buckles vary in size, so the fold to hole measurement is the one that carries over from belt to belt.
Method 2: measure yourself
- Put on the trousers or jeans you plan to wear the belt with.
- Run a soft tape measure through the belt loops, at the point where the belt will actually sit.
- Keep the tape snug but not tight, and read the measurement where it meets.
Use that figure as your size. If you land between two sizes, go up rather than down. A belt that fastens on an inner hole looks fine; one that only just reaches the first hole does not.
Why not just use your trouser size?
Trouser sizes are not always accurate. Many brands label a pair 34 when the waistband actually measures more, and jeans often sit lower on the hips than formal trousers, which changes where the belt goes. If you have no belt to measure, measuring yourself over your clothes is a safer bet than the number on the label.
Which width should you choose?
We make two widths. The 35mm belts are full grain cowhide and fit most jeans and trouser loops, so they work for the office and the weekend. The 40mm belts are full grain buffalo leather. They are a touch wider and thicker, and suit jeans, chinos and heavier casual wear. If you mainly wear suit trousers with narrow loops, check the loop width before ordering a 40mm belt.
Still not sure?
Send us your measurement before you order and we will help you choose. You can reach us through our contact page. Unused belts in their original packaging can also be returned within 30 days under our returns policy.