Result
- Cut elastic
- 26 3⁄4"
- Joined length
- 25 3⁄4"
- Taken off
- 2 1⁄4"
- Waist − 2" rule
- 27"
Soft fit on the same waist: cut 26 1⁄4". In metric, a 71.0 cm waist cuts 67.8 cm.
Free calculator · waists, cuffs & kids
Elastic Waistband Calculator
Enter the body measurement and how snug it should feel. Get the elastic to cut, the joined length and a check that it stretches over the hips.
- Firm, medium or soft
- Over-the-hip check
- vs. waist − 2"
Cut elastic
26 3⁄4"
68.0 cm
Joined length
25 3⁄4"
92% · 2 1⁄4" off
Waist − 2 in rule
27"
Joined 26"
| Fit | Joined | Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Firm 95% | 26 5⁄8" | 27 5⁄8" |
| Medium 92% | 25 3⁄4" | 26 3⁄4" |
| Soft 90% | 25 1⁄4" | 26 1⁄4" |
| Waist − 2 in | 26" | 27" |
Elastics vary. Pin it round you before you cut.
- Free, no sign-up
- Runs in your browser
- Stretch check
- Inches or centimeters
How it works
Snug, not tight
Step 1: Measure
Measure where the elastic will sit: your waist, an arm or an ankle.
Step 2: Choose the feel
Firm for cuffs, medium for waists, soft for loungewear.
Step 3: Cut and join
Cut the length shown, overlap the ends and stitch them flat.
Worked example
A 28" waist, medium fit
The math
A percentage, kept in bounds
joined = body × fit, cut = joined + overlap
Fit is 95% firm, 92% medium, 90% soft. The amount taken off stays between 1 and 4 in (2.5–10 cm), so small and large sizes both feel right.
Show the steps for the 28" example
Joined: 28" × 92% = 25 3⁄4", so 2 1⁄4" comes off. Cut: 25 3⁄4" + 1" = 26 3⁄4". Stretched 50%, it reaches 38 5⁄8".
Tips
For a comfortable band
Test it on
Pin the elastic around you before you cut. Elastics differ a lot in stretch.
Mind the width
Wide elastic feels firmer. Choose soft for wide bands in loungewear.
Check the hips
Pull-on skirts must pass over the hips. Enter your hip to check the stretch.
A whole skirt?
For panels and casing too, use the gathered skirt calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller than my waist should elastic be?
About 8% smaller for a comfortable waist: 92% of the measurement. In the example 2 1⁄4" comes off a 28" waist.
Why not just waist minus 2 inches?
That rule is fine for average waists but too tight for kids and too loose for large sizes. A percentage scales with the body.
What does the over-the-hip check do?
It stretches the joined elastic by its stretch % and compares it with your hip. If it falls short, a pull-on skirt won't go on.
How much overlap do I need?
About 1" to stitch the ends flat. Use less if you butt the ends over a patch.
Does the circle skirt calculator use this?
No. The circle skirt calculator keeps its own waist − 2 in + 1 in rule, so its results don't change.
Ready to cut your elastic?
Free, private and instant. Your numbers never leave this page.