Bridal Size Chart

Checkout cancelled · you have not been charged

Still deciding on the Bridal Size and Fitting Pack?

• Measurement sheet (PDF/DOCX)
• Size chart (PDF/XLSX)
• Fittings tracker (PDF/DOCX/XLSX)
• Bridesmaid sheet (PDF/DOCX/XLSX)

• Full refund within 7 days
• Instant download
• Local currency at checkout where available
• Secure checkout by Stripe

Buy now — $3.00Try a free sheet first

What stopped you? (optional, anonymous)

The priceNot sure it fits my needPayment problemJust looking for now

Free printables

Single sheets you can print right now, no sign-up. The full pack adds every sheet in one download plus the editable files.

Printable Bridal Measurement Sheet1 page · free PDFPrintable Bridal Size Chart1 page · free PDFPrintable Bridal Fittings Tracker1 page · free PDFPrintable Bridesmaid Measurement Chart1 page · free PDF

Browse the free printables →

Typical bridal size chart

This is a composite of the kind of chart used by many US bridal designers, not any one brand’s chart. Designers vary by an inch or more, and some use European or UK sizing; the shop will measure you and use the chart for the specific gown.

Why bridal sizes run small

Everyday clothing has drifted larger over the decades — so-called vanity sizing — while many bridal designers still use traditional size charts. A woman who wears a US 8 in shops may measure as a bridal 10 or 12. It is just a number on a label that nobody sees, and the dress will be altered to fit you exactly. Bridal gowns are also usually made in structured fabrics with little or no stretch, so there is no give to hide a size that is too small.

How to measure for a wedding dress

1. Wear the underwear and bra (or no bra) you plan to wear on the day — it changes the bust measurement.
2. Bust: around the fullest part, tape level across the back.
3. Waist: the natural waist, the narrowest part of the torso, usually an inch or so above the navel.
4. Hips: the fullest part of the hips and bottom, feet together.
5. Hollow to hem: from the hollow at the base of the neck, straight down to the floor, barefoot; then add your heel height.
6. Have someone else measure you, and measure twice.

Ordering to your largest measurement

Because a gown must close over every part of your body, the size is decided by your largest measurement relative to the chart. If your bust says 10, your waist 8 and your hips 12, you order a 12 and have the bust and waist taken in. Letting a gown out is often limited by the seam allowance — and some designs, like beaded bodices, can barely be let out at all. Many bridal shops strongly advise against ordering a smaller size in anticipation of weight loss; a gown can be taken in later.

Worked example

A bride measures bust 37, waist 30 and hips 40 inches and usually wears a street size 8. On the chart, a 37-inch bust fits size 10, a 30-inch waist needs size 12 (size 10 is 29.5), and 40-inch hips fit size 10. The waist decides: she orders a 12, whose chart measurements are 38.5 / 31 / 41.5. Her seamstress takes in about 1.5 inches at the bust and hips and 1 inch at the waist. Her hollow-to-floor is 58 inches and she will wear 3-inch heels, so she needs a 61-inch hollow to hem — worth asking the shop about extra length.

Timeline for ordering and alterations

Rush orders and off-the-rack gowns shorten this timeline, often for a fee. Alteration costs vary widely — hemming a multi-layer skirt, adding a bustle and taking in a beaded bodice are among the more complex jobs.

Common alterations

• Hemming — often the most common, especially with layered skirts.
• Taking in the bodice or side seams.
• Adding a bustle to lift a train for the reception.
• Adjusting or adding straps.
• Adding cups or bust support.
• Shortening straps to raise the bodice.

Silhouettes and fit

Fitted silhouettes leave the least room for error, so measure carefully and allow extra time for fittings.

Bridesmaid and mother-of-the-bride sizes

Bridesmaid dresses from bridal brands usually follow the same small-running charts as wedding gowns, so bridesmaids should also be measured rather than ordering their street size. Make one person responsible for collecting measurements and double-checking sizes against the chart before ordering.