What Is Jeans Outseam and How to Measure It

What is the outseam

The outseam is the vertical seam on the outside of each leg of a pair of jeans. It starts at the top of the waistband, typically at the side seam, and runs all the way down to the bottom hem. When jeans are laid flat, the outseam is the straight line from the waistband edge to the hem along the outer side of the leg.

Because the outseam includes the rise and the hip area, it is always longer than the inseam, which measures only the inside leg from the crotch to the hem. The outseam is not a standard measurement printed on most jeans tags, but it is useful when you want to understand total leg length or compare proportions across different fits.

Understanding the outseam is especially helpful when you are evaluating high-rise jeans, where the waistband sits higher and the outseam can be noticeably longer even with the same inseam. It also matters for bootcut and flared styles where the leg opening spreads out.

How to measure the outseam

Measuring the outseam is simple and requires only a flexible tape measure. Place the jeans on a flat, hard surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Make sure the front and back pockets are empty and the legs are straight, not twisted.

Follow these steps:

• Lay the jeans flat with the side seam facing up or down, whichever makes the outer edge easy to access.
• Locate the top of the waistband on the side where the outseam runs. This is usually at the seam that connects the front and back panels.
• Place the end of the tape measure exactly at the top edge of the waistband, not below it.
• Run the tape straight down the outer seam, following the leg all the way to the bottom hem. Keep the tape as straight as possible, without letting it curve around the seat or knee.
• Read the measurement at the lower edge of the hem. Record it for one leg; the other side should be the same unless the jeans are intentionally asymmetrical.

Outseam vs inseam

The inseam is the measurement from the crotch seam down to the hem, taken along the inside of the leg. It is the most common length measurement on jean tags and is what you use when choosing a regular, tall, or short length. The outseam, in contrast, measures the entire outer side of the leg, from waistband to hem, and therefore includes both the rise and the crotch area.

Because of this difference, two jeans with the same inseam can have very different outseams depending on the rise. A high-rise jean may have an outseam several inches longer than a low-rise jean even when both are the same inseam. This is why the outseam is a better indicator of overall leg coverage, while the inseam is more standard for sizing.

If you are trying to understand your own measurements, start with the inseam as a baseline and then look at the rise separately. The inseam length guide explains that process, and the rise measuring guide covers how to measure that dimension. For a direct comparison, see the difference between inseam and outseam.

Why the outseam matters

The outseam becomes important when you are shopping for jeans with a specific total length or a particular silhouette. For instance, bootcut and flared jeans often have a longer outseam to accommodate boots, and the flare begins at the knee, so the outseam measurement helps you see how the leg will hang. Similarly, wide leg jeans typically have a dramatic outseam that affects how the denim drapes over footwear.

For high-rise styles, the outseam tells you how far the waistband sits above the hip and how much coverage the jeans provide through the torso. This is relevant for proportion, especially if you are trying to balance the rise with the leg length. The jeans rise versus waist placement guide goes deeper into how rise interacts with body proportions.

When you are comparing jeans from different brands, the outseam can be a more consistent number than the inseam because it is less affected by vanity sizing. However, most brands do not list outseam measurements on their tags, so you will often need to measure a pair you already own or request the measurement from a maker. The finished garment measurements guide explains what to expect from size charts.

Common mistakes and tips

A common error is measuring the outseam from the front or back of the jeans instead of the true side. The outseam is specifically the seam that runs on the outer side of the leg, so you should line up your tape with that seam. Another mistake is including the waistband below the top edge; the measurement starts at the very top of the waistband, which is the highest point on the side.

Also avoid pulling the tape too tight, which can stretch the denim and give an inaccurate number. Let the tape follow the natural shape of the leg, but keep it flat against the fabric. If the jeans have a curved seam at the knee or a slight taper, the measurement should still follow the outer edge, not the center of the leg.

When you are measuring for a specific purpose, such as hemming or purchasing a new pair, keep in mind that stretch jeans may relax and change slightly after wear. The stretch jeans recovery guide discusses how elastane affects fit over time. For hemming decisions, see the hemming and cuffing guide for tips on length adjustments.

Finally, remember that the outseam is just one of many dimensions that affect fit. Pair it with waist, hip, thigh, and inseam measurements to get a complete picture. The how to measure jean size article walks through all the key measurements.

What to pick when considering outseam

Questions

What is the outseam on jeans?

The outseam is the seam on the outer side of each leg, running from the top of the waistband down to the hem. It includes the rise, so it is longer than the inseam.

How do I measure the outseam?

Lay the jeans flat, smooth them out, and measure from the top edge of the waistband on the side straight down the outer seam to the bottom hem, using a flexible tape measure.

Is the outseam the same as the inseam?

No. The inseam measures from the crotch to the hem along the inside leg, while the outseam measures the full outer side from waistband to hem. The outseam is always longer.

Why do most jeans only list the inseam?

The inseam is standard for length sizing and is easier to measure consistently because it does not depend on the rise. The outseam varies with rise and hip depth, making it less standardized.

How does rise affect the outseam?

A higher rise adds length to the outseam for the same inseam, because the waistband sits higher on the torso and the side seam covers more vertical distance.