body shape calculator
Three measurements tell you which of the five common body shapes you’re closest to, plus the cuts and silhouettes stylists usually reach for.
fashion law journal · tools deskupdated 25 sep 2026styling guide, not a judgement
Quick answer: body shape compares your bust, waist and hips. Bust and hips roughly equal with a clearly smaller waist is an hourglass. Hips wider than bust is a pear, and bust or shoulders wider than hips is an inverted triangle. Similar measurements all round is a rectangle, and a waist close to or wider than bust and hips is an apple.
Measure over underwear with a soft tape, standing relaxed. Keep the tape level all the way round.
body shapes and what works
| shape | what it means | stylists often suggest |
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use it as a starting point
Body shape is a styling shorthand, not a rule. No shape is better than another, most people sit between two, and your shape can change over the years. The tips below are about balancing proportions if that’s what you want. If you love an outfit that “breaks the rules”, wear it.
Fit matters more than shape. A tailor can take in a waist or adjust a hem for far less than a new garment, and that usually makes a bigger difference than any silhouette rule.
body shape questions
How do I calculate my body shape?
Measure your bust, waist and hips, then compare them. If bust and hips are within about 3.5 inches (9 cm) of each other and your waist is at least 9 inches (23 cm) smaller, you’re an hourglass. If your hips are more than 3.5 inches bigger than your bust, you’re a pear, and the reverse is an inverted triangle.
What is the most common body shape?
Studies of women’s measurements generally find rectangle (sometimes called banana) to be the most common, with a true hourglass much rarer than fashion imagery suggests.
Can your body shape change?
Yes. Weight change, pregnancy, strength training and age can all shift your proportions. Remeasure every year or so.
Does body shape apply to men?
The same idea is used for menswear, usually described as trapezoid, inverted triangle, rectangle, triangle and oval. This calculator uses the women’s categories.
Results are a general styling guide based on common measurement rules. More from FLJ: style quiz · dress size chart · color analysis quiz.