Fit, measuring and alterations · 4 October 2026 · 5 min read

How to measure for a kurta, step by step

How to measure for a kurta you will wear with jeans or trousers: the six core numbers, choosing a length and slit height, sleeves, cuffs and the neckline.

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How to measure for a kurta: the short answer

To measure for a kurta you need six core numbers: bust, waist, hips, shoulder width, sleeve length and the kurta length you want. Take them over a thin top with a soft tape, standing relaxed, and then make two decisions a body measurement cannot make for you: where the hem should fall against the trousers or jeans you will wear it with, and where the side slits should start.

A kurta is usually worn on its own as a top rather than as part of a three-piece suit, so those two choices matter more than they do for a long kameez. The full method for every measurement is on our size guide; this article covers what is different when the garment is a kurta.

The core kurta measurements

Measure each one twice and write it down straight away, with the unit beside it.

Bust: around the fullest part, tape level all the way round your back. This sets the width of the whole front.
Waist: around the narrowest part of your torso. A straight kurta may barely touch it, but we still need it to shape the side seams.
Hips: around the fullest part of your seat. On a hip-length or longer kurta this decides whether the hem sits flat or pulls when you sit.
Shoulder: across your back from one shoulder point to the other. It is the measurement that decides whether a kurta looks made for you.
Sleeve length: from the shoulder point to where the sleeve should end, arm relaxed by your side.
Kurta length: from the highest point of your shoulder, beside your neck, down to the hem you want.

Choosing a kurta length you will actually wear

Think about the trousers first. Over slim jeans or cigarette pants, a hip to mid-thigh kurta looks neat and is easy to wear every day. Over wider straight trousers or palazzos, a knee-length kurta balances the extra width at the hem. A longer, calf-length kurta starts to read as a kameez and suits fuller trousers or a shalwar.

Measure the length in the shoes you wear most with it, standing straight, with a helper holding the tape at the shoulder point beside your neck. If you are unsure, hold a kurta you already own against you in a mirror and note where its hem sits compared with your knee or the middle of your thigh. Our article on kameez length for your height has more on proportion.

Side slits: the measurement people forget

Side slits let a kurta move. If they start too low, the fabric strains across the hips every time you sit or climb stairs; if they start too high, the kurta can flap open more than you like. A good starting point is for the slit to begin at, or just below, the fullest part of your hip.

To find that point, measure from the shoulder point beside your neck down to your fullest hip and add it to the notes as “slit to start here”. If you prefer a particular look, such as short slits on a long kurta or a curved hem with no slit, say so. The side slits guide shows how slit height changes the line of a kurta.

Sleeves and cuffs

For full sleeves, measure with your arm slightly bent, as a sleeve measured on a dead straight arm can feel short once you reach forward. For three-quarter sleeves, decide whether you want them just below the elbow or nearer the wrist; three-quarter sleeves cover the common choices.

Add your upper arm measurement if your arms are fuller than average or the kurta has fitted sleeves, and your wrist or cuff measurement if the sleeve finishes in a narrow cuff or buttons. A cuff that is snug on the wrist bone still needs to pass over your hand, so measure around the widest part of the hand with fingers together if the cuff has no opening.

Neckline and placket

Front neck depth is optional, but it makes a real difference on a kurta that is worn without a dupatta. Measure from the base of your neck at the shoulder down to where you would like the neckline to sit. For a placket kurta, the same number decides where the opening ends, so check that it sits where you are comfortable. Our article on kurta plackets and buttons and the band collar guide help you choose.

Sending your kurta measurements

Enter the numbers on the quote form in centimetres or inches, whichever you used, and add the slit and neckline notes. If you would rather not measure, you can pick a standard UK size and we confirm the key measurements with you, send a kurta that fits, or ask us to guide you through it on WhatsApp. The design details and measurements are agreed in writing before anything is cut.

If you have your own fabric, the Stitching Only quote is the place to start, and we confirm the fabric is suitable before you post it to us in Pakistan. If you would like us to supply the fabric, see custom stitching. Ordering from Britain? The UK stitching page explains how it works from there. Production takes 5 to 7 working days once the quote is approved and paid in full, and shipping time is separate.

Common questions

What measurements do I need for a kurta?

Bust, waist, hips, shoulder width, sleeve length and kurta length are the core six. Upper arm, wrist, front neck depth and where you want the side slits to start are useful extras, especially for fitted sleeves or a kurta worn without a dupatta.

How long should a kurta be with jeans?

Most people like a kurta between the hip and the middle of the thigh over slim jeans, because it covers the seat without overwhelming the leg. Measure it from the shoulder point beside your neck in the shoes you will wear.

Where should the side slits on a kurta start?

A comfortable starting point is at or just below the fullest part of your hip. Slits that start lower can strain when you sit, while higher slits open more as you move. Tell us your preference in the notes.

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