Belt/waist Sizes?

[DS STRAPS]

Is there a chart or does someone have standard numbers they use to measure out a belt to get the correct measurement without having to measure an individual

[25b]

Sending you a PM on how to avoid all the inaccurate measurements from customers.

[Geneva]

I use a rule of thumb for the waist size plus 10 inches. What ever the size of the jeans use the next for the belt. This will make the correct size for the belt. If the jean size is 38 that would be a size 40 belt.

Good luck. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[5shot]

I use a rule of thumb for the waist size plus 10 inches. What ever the size of the jeans use the next for the belt. This will make the correct size for the belt. If the jean size is 38 that would be a size 40 belt.

Good luck. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

I don't think you can come up with a formula, as all manufacturers of pants are not on the same page either. I wear a 34" jean, but I usually wear a 40" Belt (end of buckle to center hole). Measuring is the only way to be sure. I have them measure the belt the currently wear, from the hole they use to the end of the buckle.

[JLSleather]

The THICKNESS of the belt MATTERS. You can have a customer measure his walmart belt (often about 6-7 oz thickness), which eliminates the issue of the size on the tag on the jeans (I have "34" that I can't wear any more, AND I have "34" that would fall off if not for a belt).

But that lined belt, or double thick belt, will NOT measure the same. Put their measurement on a 12 oz belt (8 oz lined with 4 oz) and you WILL be short. The amount varies with the size of the wearer (longer belts will be off by more).

Now, munky 1 and munky 2 will tell you "add this much". Munky 3 will say "add more holes". And realistically, off by one hole is probably acceptable on a solid color belt, no ornamentation other than stitching. But put a name on there, or design, or conchos, etc. and the more your measurement is off, the more your designs will be off.

[natenaaron]

JLS, how do you, personally, measure for that thick belt?

[JLSleather]

Math-a-lize it The theory is, that the OUTside of the jeans and the INSIDE of the belt would be almost the same, yes?

So, say you're making a belt for a guy with a 38" waist (I mean, really IS 38, not just he SAYS 38). I'll use 38 cuz that seems to be most of the belts recently.

The "issue" comes from measuring the OUTside of the belt, with the INside measurement. If I can side-track just a minute.... think of a pipe. You got a 4" pipe That's OUTside. If your wall thickness is 1/8", then the inside measures 3 3/4" across -- difference is 1/4" (so what, right?).

But the measurement AROUND (like a belt) is C=πd. So the outside is 4*π = 12.57 and the inside is 3.75*π = 11.78 for a difference of a little over 3/4". A 3 3/4" is off by 3/4"(ish).

Now, double the thickness of the pipe wall leather. The outside still 4", but the inside is 3.5" across, and measurement AROUND is 11", a difference of 1.57". Clearly, the thickness matters.

Now, WHY we on about 4" pipes? Go back to that 38" guy. The INside measures 38", that's the number he got measuring around over his jeans. Short story, doing the math --if the belt you're making is 1/4" thick, then around the outside gonna be around 39.5". Marking the belt 38, you'd be short about an inch and a half, and his name in the back will be off by half of that (and half teh buckle length too if you aren't watching).

So, 1 1/2" for a 1/4" thick belt. Narrower fellas (and some girls) might go with a thinner belt, and the error is less pronounced -- just so you know it makes a difference.

IN THE END, simple enough to test this. Got a piece of that pipe? Or anything else that won't move on you.. soup can..whatever. Measure around the thing, and cut 2 pieces of leather THAT length. Wrap one around the pipe -- $4 says the INSIDE will touch and the outside WON'T. Now, wrap the second layer around the first.... you'll see what I mean quickly enough ...

[JLSleather]

Can you hear it already? People goin' round sayin' "Jeff said make it inch ana half longer". But that's not quite what i said

Edited October 12, 2015 by JLSleather

[TinkerTailor]

Belt measurements and leather thickness are all about Pie....Or Pi rather....3.14. Circle math.

Its actually really simple.

You have the circumference of the waist and the thickness of the leather. You need the outside circumference with the thickness accounted for.

Mathematically, If you take the exact circumference of the shape you are wrapping, in this case the outside of the pants, divide by 3.145, divide by 2 and you get the radius. Then add the leather thickness to the radius, and reverse the above steps.

Waist / 3.14 x 2 = radius.

Radius + leather thickness = radius to outside of belt, grain side.

Outside radius x 2 x 3.14 = actual belt length.

eg: If you have a 30 inch waist and use 12 oz (0.188") leather:

30" divide 2=15". 15" divide 3.14= 4.777" radius.

4.777" + 0.188"= 4.965" radius.

4.965" x 3.14 x 2= 31.18" outside circumference.

or simplified

30"/6.28=4.777"

4.777"+ 0.188"= 4.965"

4.965"x6.28= 31.18"

A 12 oz belt on a 30 inch waist needs to be 31.2 inches long.

I use this math to wrap bottles, tubing, etc. If you think about it, if you have a square box to cover and each side is 6 Inches, if you do this math using a 24 inch circumference for the 4 box sides, you can work out exactly how much leather is needed with thickness accounted for to wrap it.

[24VOLTS]

Jim created a good chart. It is very helpful. It is always best to measure the belt personally (if you can).

It is pinned in the patterns forum there is a chart.