How to Take Your Measurements
Use a soft measuring tape for all four measurements. Take each measurement twice and use the average if they differ. Do not measure over thick clothing.
Bust — measure at the fullest point of your bust, tape parallel to the floor. Keep it snug but not tight; breathe normally.
Waist — measure at the narrowest part of your torso, above the belly button. The tape should sit tightly but not dig in. Do not suck in your stomach.
High hip — this is taken at the top of the hip curve, above the widest point, over the pelvic bone. This is not the same as your full hip measurement — it is higher up.
Hips — measure at the widest point below your waist, usually around the fullest part of the buttocks. Keep your feet together.
The 7 Body Shapes
Hourglass
Bust and hips are roughly equal in size, and the waist is clearly defined. This is considered the most symmetrical body type.
Top Hourglass
Similar to the hourglass with a defined waist, but the bust is visibly larger than the hips.
Bottom Hourglass
Clearly defined waist like the hourglass, but the hips are larger than the bust.
Spoon
The hips are much larger than the bust and have a shelf-like appearance — a noticeable drop from the high hip to the waist. The waist is well defined.
Triangle
Wide hips relative to the bust, with the waist not particularly accented. Sometimes called the “pear” shape.
Inverted Triangle
The bust and shoulders are proportionally wider than the hips, with a subtle waist. Sometimes called the “strawberry” shape.
Rectangle
The bust, waist, and hips are roughly the same measurement. The body appears straight and athletic with little waist definition.
How the Calculator Works
The calculator uses the Female Figure Identification Technique (FFIT), an established method from apparel research that classifies body shape using four measurements and a set of threshold conditions. Each shape has specific numerical criteria — for example, hourglass requires that bust and hips are within 1 inch of each other and the waist is at least 9 inches smaller than the bust or 10 inches smaller than the hips.
The high hip measurement specifically distinguishes the spoon shape from the bottom hourglass: a high-hip-to-waist ratio above 1.193 indicates the shelf-like profile characteristic of the spoon type.
Note: Body shape classifications are based on proportional measurements and are meant as a general guide. Fit, style, and proportion are personal — these categories are a starting point, not a definition.