Though they’re simple, everyday items, thousands of men Google “how do belt sizes work?” every month.
Once you know your belt size you can confidently buy belts without having to worry about whether or not if it fits correctly.
However, people often make the mistake of buying a belt based on their pant waist size which is actually different than belt size.
To that end, we’ve created a quick guide to belt sizing below to help you determine your belt size.
Note: For other resources on belts visit our guide to men’s belts where we cover everything you’ve ever wanted to know about belts and how to wear one with style.
How Do Belt Sizes Work?
A quick hit list of the main points is as follows:
- Your belt size is two inches larger than your pant waist size. If you wear a 34″ trouser, buy a 36″ belt
- If your waist size is an odd number, buy a belt three inches larger instead of two
- Most belts have five holes. The prong should go in the middle one (the third one)
- The belt should finish between the first and second belt loop of your trousers
Common Belt Sizes For Men
As you can see from the chart above, men’s belts are available in inches in even-numbered sizes. This is great from a retailer’s perspective, as it allows them to buy minimal product and sell it to the maximum number of customers.
From the customer’s perspective, though, it can be limiting. Men with small waists (under 30″) will have difficulty finding belts in most stores, as will larger men whose waist size is larger than a 46. Men on either end of this spectrum will have to order online (where brands tend to stock more sizes), get a custom-made belt, or simply forgo a belt and wear braces.
Can I Just Measure My Waist Size?
You can certainly measure it, but it won’t yield an accurate size as it relates to off-the-rack pants and belts.
Men’s pants and belts are generally sold in inches, which would lead you to believe that the measurements are exact. They are not. Vanity sizing exists for men too, and most of us learn this lesson the hard way the first time we’re measured for a made-to-measure or custom suit.
Generally, your off-the-rack waist size is two full inches smaller than your actual waist size. This means that if you’re currently wearing dress trousers that are a 32″ waist, your true waist size is likely closer to 34″.
Therefore, if you were to measure your own waist and then go buy a belt using that measurement as a baseline, you will end up with a belt much longer than you need. Save yourself the hassle and just look at the size tag on your best fitting pair of pants and just go from there.
Belt Aesthetics
An important thing to remember is that while a belt helps to hold up your pants, your trousers need to fit properly in the waist to begin with. If your belt is acting more like a rope and your trouser waist is cinched around you, you don’t need a belt. You need a tailor.
A belt is a finishing touch more than anything else.
Belts Vs Suspenders
The common sartorial rule dictates that trousers made for belts (that is, ones with belt loops) should not be worn with braces, even if those trousers also have proper brace buttons inside the waistband.
While we agree with this rule to a limited extent from an aesthetic perspective, it makes plenty of sense functionally. As it relates to your trouser waist and proper sizing, there is indeed a difference between how belt trousers should fit versus suspender trousers.
Trousers made for braces are generally made a bit bigger in the waist. This is to allow the trousers to “float” around your waist while being suspended by the braces. We speak from personal experience when we say that this is incredibly comfortable and allows for great freedom of movement.
Pants made for belts, on the other hand, hug the waist more snugly than those that take suspenders. This allows you to put on a belt and still have your pant waistband lay flat and smooth against your body.
Again, you should not look like a sack of potatoes in your trousers. To wear a properly sized belt, your trousers must fit like they were made for a belt.
Conclusion
Getting the proper belt size is really as easy as trying one on in a store. Alternatively, you can always order a few different sizes online and return whatever doesn’t work out.
For more information on belts, take a look at our belts home page.
I NEED A BELT SIZE 56 TO 58 DO YOU CARRY THAT SIOZE
Sorry, we don’t sell belts. We’re a blog not a shop.
My son is a 30″ waist. Normally buys belts that say they are for 30-32″. Obviously this is not the belt siz because, as you say, the belt must be bigger than the waist size for the pin to fit through the 3rd hole and tuck under under the next trouser belt loop. So, when I’m measuring a belt in length, to be sure it fits him, how to I measure it? Do I include or exclude the buckle? And how many inches should I deduct from the actual length to get the waist size? I’ve asked this of chat agents in the UK and been told to yes, include the buckle and no, don’t include the buckle and one agent told me he’s a 30inch waist and his belt measures 71cms … which is exactly 30″ so how does he have extra to pull the buckle together?!! Any advice much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Hey Celine,
Ideally, you want to use the size of the pants that fit him and shop for a belt of the same size. As mentioned above, due to vanity sizing, the actual waist size will not correspond to the size “advertized” on clothing.
Rafael
I have the same question and did not get the answer desired. I have found lots of belt size 32 for sale online and many show different tape measure lengths of 40 to 45 inches for the actual length of the 32″ belt waist size listed. Could this be right?
Hey Lynne,
Unfortunately, yes that could be right. However, from a 32 size to a 45 in actual belt length sounds a bit extreme – is it possible the only listing was misrepresenting the belt size?
Rafael
MY WAIST–48–!!–WHAT SIZE–BELT–??
Hey James,
For a 48 waist, we recommend a size 50 belt.
Rafael
For the love of God… did you (and the rest of you nitwits asking the same) bother reading the post, even a little?
For my waist size 40-41 what size of belt?
Hey Ed,
For your waist size, you’re going to want to try belts sized between 42 and 44, though likely closer to 42.
Rafael
My brother is a 31 in waist. What size belt would you recommend? Thank you
Hey Lexa,
Per our chart, between 32 and 34. The safer bet is likely the 34.
Rafael
What size belt for a man who wears a 44-46 in pants thanks…
Hey Tiffany,
For 44-46 waist pants, you generally want to go for a belt that is size 48-50.
Rafael
My waist size is 33 inches what do the size of belt in m,l, XL??
Hey there,
From our experience, belt sizes are generally in inches or cm. I wouldn’t feel too comfortable with a manufacturer who creates belts sized like shirts or other garmens.
Rafael
I’m a 34 in waist what size should I get a belt in cm
Hey Carlos,
Per our table above, 34 in waist = 36 belt size ~~ 92cm belt length.
Rafael
I wanted to thank you for this guide, but god damn. All the earlier commenters, you guys can’t read or what? Everything is mentioned in the post.
Glad this helped! I can’t say I don’t agree with your sentiment.
Rafael
What size is a belt with a leather measurement of 42 inches long?
Hey Don,
Per our graphic here, a belt that measures 42 inches long should correspond to a size 40 belt.
Hope this helps,
Rafael
I wear size 34 waist but sometimes wear a few 36 I have because they’re in great show. What size belt do I need to accommodate both sizes of pants?
Hey Doug,
Per our chart, you’d need a belt that is size 38 to accommodate the size 36 waist pants. A size 38 belt should have enough adjustments for when you wear size 34 pants.
Rafael
You must be bothered by the “my son/brother/hubby has a 32” waist, what size belt should I buy?” questions!!! Obviously, you add 2 (or 3 if odd#). You’re very patient to answer these redundant questions. I don’t have one of those for ya, just wanted to tell you kudos for keeping your cool while answering these idiotic queries!
That’s quite alright – it’s doesn’t take much or effort to respond to these.
Rafael
Hi there i have a concern last year june i measured out to a 28 inch but now im a 30 what size belt must i get im just very confused
For a 30in waist measurement, your belt size will probably be 32.
Hope this helps,
Rafael
Hi there thank you for replying to my message just one more thing could i wear a 28 waist jean with a 32 inch belt sorry for being pain and thank you if you do reply.
Hey Thabo,
You may have to try that for yourself. It’s possible the belt will be too long for those jeans, though I think the measurements are close enough that it may work, though you have have a big segment of the belt hanging loose after you tighten it.
Rafael
Help? Son has jeans size of 31. Calvin Klein belts are sized 30-32 and 34-36 — so I have no clue which to choose? Any advice short of buying both and returning one (which is not ideal, as I need multiple belts in multiple colors). Thanks!
Hey there Dave,
The Belt size 30-32 should fit him just fine.
Hope this helps,
Rafael
How does the sizing change if my son sags his pants? I know the real answer is make him pull up his pants. He claims it’s a comfort thing and I know he’s not doing anything else bad. I just want him to have a good belt so they don’t fall down the rest of the way. Thanks!
Hey Shantay,
That’s one which I’m not sure we’re equipped to answer. I suppose you can get a belt that corresponds to the current pant’s waist size and he can adjust it to one of the wider holes?
Rafael
How to correctly wear braces to prevent the tendency for round shoulders?
Hey Duncan,
I don’t see how braces can prevent that tendency. It seems to me like it will be more of a conscious realization to correct your shoulders rather than wearing braces/suspenders to correct it.
Rafael