Easy Steps to Figure Out Your Body Shape at Home

The least subjective way to figure out your body shape is to measure yourself. Plus, by doing this you will always have your measurements ready if you are ever confused about the sizing of online retailers.

Essential Tools You’ll Need
Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Your Body
- Determine your body shape(s)
Common Characteristics of the 5 basic body shapes
Tips on Determining your Body Shape

tape-measure-3872780_1280 - Beautiful over 40ish

Essential Tools You’ll Need

You don’t need to raid a tailor’s workbench, but a few basics will help:

Notepad or App: Record measurements for easy review later.
Flexible Measuring Tape: The soft sewing kind, not the metal hardware one.
Full-Length Mirror: For checking posture and holding tape steady.
Form-Fitting Clothing: Think tank top and leggings, or just underwear. You want to see your true outline.

Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Your Body

Getting your measurements right is key. Try this on a day when you’re feeling relaxed—stress or a big meal can change your posture. Stand upright, look forward, and don’t suck in or push out. Here’s how to measure:

Shoulders: Wrap the tape around the widest part from back to front, over your shoulders. If you need help, ask a friend.
Bust: Place the tape around the fullest part of your bust, ensuring it stays parallel to the ground.
Waist: Find the narrowest point above your belly button, roughly where you bend sideways.
Hips: Measure at the fullest part of your hips and buttocks.

Tips for accuracy:

Keep the tape snug, not tight.
Always measure at the same spot for consistency.
Double-check each number for peace of mind.

Determine your body shape(s)

As mentioned before, chances are that you will have a primary body shape and a secondary body shape. To find out what they are, we can use three methods:

Determine your body shape using your bust, waist, and hip measurements.
Determine your body shape using your shoulder, waist, and hip measurements.
Look in the mirror and determine which parts of your body are out of balance with the rest of the body.

Common Characteristics of the 5 basic body shapes

The rectangle looks more or less like a column, i.e. the body is straight with little to no definition.
The pear has a bigger lower body compared to the upper body.
The hourglass has a wider upper and lower body with a narrow waist in the middle.
The inverted triangle has a bigger upper body compared to the lower body.
The apple is wider in the middle and upper body with a smaller lower body.

Rectangle Body Shape

Bust/Shoulders and hips will be almost the same – within 5% of each other – and your waist will be less than 25% smaller than your bust.

Clues: Shoulders, bust, and hips about the same size, little definition at the waist.
Characteristics: Straight lines, fewer curves.
What it means: Try layers and ruffles to create the illusion of curves, or belts to define your waist.

General Characteristics:
Straight shoulder line and ribcage
Bust and hips are approximately the same width
Small to average midriff
Very little to no waist definition
Straight hips and bottom
Lack of curves throughout the body frame
Weight gains typically distribute evenly throughout the body

Rectangle other Body Shape Tendencies

It is difficult to categorize your body into just one of the basic body shapes. Be open to a possible secondary body shape:

You lean towards a pear shape if your hips are slightly broader than your bust.
You lean towards an inverted triangle shape if your shoulders are slightly broader than your hips.
You lean towards an apple shape if you have a wide chest along with extra weight around the midriff.

Pear Body Shape

Your hips will be the largest of the three, while the waist will be the smallest. Your hips will be at least 5% bigger than your bust/shoulders.

Clues: Hips measure wider than bust and shoulders.
Distinguishing features: Narrower shoulders, fuller thighs and hips.
What it means: Highlight your waist and upper body, like with boatneck tops or statement necklaces.

General Characteristics:
Shoulders are narrower than hips and may be sloped
Small top half as well as small bust
A defined waist thanks to larger hips
Full hips and / or thighs
Legs are likely full or muscular
Weight gains tend to first be visible around the hips, thighs and lower midriff

Pear other Body Shape Tendencies

It is difficult to categorize your body into just one of the basic body shapes. Be open to a possible secondary body shape:

Clues: Hips measure wider than bust and shoulders.
Distinguishing features: Narrower shoulders, fuller thighs and hips.
What it means: Highlight your waist and upper body, like with boatneck tops or statement necklaces.

You lean towards an hourglass shape if your top half looks heavier because of a large bust.
You lean towards an apple shape if your weight gains generally appear first in your bust and tummy areas.
You lean towards a rectangle shape if your waist is slightly wider and not very defined.
You lean towards an inverted triangle shape if your shoulders are wider than your hips.

Inverted Triangle Body Shape

Your hips will be the smallest of the three measurements. Your bust/shoulder measurements are more than 5% bigger than your hip measurement.

Clues: Shoulders or bust are broader than hips.
What it means: Wide shoulders, narrower hips.
Visual cue: Athletic body types often fall in this category.
Best styles: Balance your upper body with fuller skirts or pants.

General Characteristics:
Shoulders are noticeably wider than the hip-line
Shoulders may be straight, squared, and strong-looking
Bust can range from small to big
Little to no waist definition
Hips look straight and flat compared to broad shoulders
Bottom is rather flat
Great legs often come with this body shape
Body shape projects a sporty and athletic physique

Inverted Triangle other Body Shape Tendencies

It is difficult to categorise your body into just one of the basic body shapes. Be open to a possible secondary body shape:

You lean towards an apple shape if you have a big bust and weight around the midriff.
You lean towards an hourglass shape if you have slight curves.
You lean towards a rectangle shape if you have weight or strong bone structure around your hips.
You lean towards a pear shape if your shoulders are wider than your hips.

Hourglass Body Shape

Your bust and hips will be almost the same (within 5% of each other) and your waist will be at least 25% smaller than both your bust/shoulders and hips.

Clues: Bust and hips are about the same size, waist is much smaller (usually 8+ inches smaller).
Features: Curved silhouette, defined waist.
What it means: Fitted styles and belts work well, as do wrap dresses and anything that shows off your natural waist.

General Characteristics:
Slightly round shoulders
Bust and hips are of the same width
Small and defined waist
Bottom and hips are rounded
Bigger thighs
Weight gains typically distribute evenly throughout the body

Hourglass other Body Shape Tendencies

It is difficult to categorise your body into just one of the basic body shapes. Be open to a possible secondary body shape:

You lean towards an inverted triangle shape if you have slightly fleshy upper arms, which make your shoulder line appear wider.
You lean towards a pear shape if you have a slightly fuller bottom or extra weight around your hips.
You lean towards an apple shape if you carry extra weight around your waist.
You lean towards a rectangle shape if your waist is undefined.

Apple Body Shape

Your bust/shoulders and waist will be larger than your hips. Your waist will be the same or wider than your bust. Your hips will be the smallest – up to 5% smaller than bust/shoulders.

Clues: Shoulders and bust larger than waist and hips. Waist tends to be less defined.
Visual cues: Top half appears fuller, often with slimmer legs and hips.
What it means: Look for styles that add balance to your lower half or create a fitted waistline.

General Characteristics:
Rounder, wider shoulder line and flattish bottom
Average to big bust
Ribcage and back appear somewhat wide
Fullness around the mid-section
Little to undefined waistline
Narrow hips
Slim limbs and nice legs
Weight gains are first visible in the central torso/tummy area.

Apple other Body Shape Tendencies

It is difficult to categorise your body into just one of the basic body shapes. Be open to a possible secondary body shape:

You lean towards a pear shape if your hips are slightly broader than your shoulders.
You lean towards an inverted triangle shape if your shoulders are slightly broader than your hips.
You lean towards an hourglass shape if you lose weight around your tummy and gain a waist instead.
You lean towards a rectangle shape if your bust and hips are approximately the same width.

Tips on Determining your Body Shape

If your shoulders and bust are of similar width, your body shape category will be the same under both methods (1) and (2). But if there is a significant difference, you might end up with different results. That’s perfectly fine!

For method (3), stand in front of the mirror and look at your figure. Which features do you like the most and want to accentuate, which ones would you like to conceal more? Looking at your body holistically will give you another opportunity to determine which body shapes you lean towards.

Say you have wide hips and wide shoulders, but your bust is quite small. In this case, you would either fall into the pear or hourglass category, depending on which method you use.

But the feature that you would probably be most concerned with is your small bust rather than your hips or shoulders (since they seem to be balanced). The body shape that is characterized by a small bust is the pear, so you could find tips on how to add volume in that category.

Figuring out your body shape is simple, eye-opening, and empowering. Grab a measuring tape, jot down your results, and check how your numbers relate. Knowing your shape helps you play up your favorite features, shop with confidence, and set smart fitness goals. Use your new insight to dress for yourself and enjoy the confidence that comes with understanding your own unique frame.