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Kilt Size Guide

Two measurements. That is all we need to build your kilt. This guide walks you through exactly how to take them correctly — because a kilt that fits properly is a kilt that actually gets worn.

Jump to: How to Measure Size Chart Pleat Styles Kilt Length Conversions FAQs
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Every kilt we make is custom built to your measurements. We do not hold stock in standard sizes. Your measurements go directly to our kiltmakers and your garment is cut specifically for you. Getting your measurements right at this stage makes everything else easy.

Step by step

How to measure yourself for a kilt

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What you will need A soft tape measure — the kind used for sewing or tailoring. Do not use a rigid ruler or builder's tape. Measure in your underwear or lightweight clothing only, not over heavy layers.
1

Find your natural waist

Your natural waist is measured at belly button level. This is where a kilt belt sits and where we take your waist measurement from.

Stand straight, breathe out naturally and wrap the tape measure around your body at this point. Do not pull the tape tight and do not leave it loose. It should sit comfortably flat against your skin.

Common mistake: Measuring at trouser height (the hip) rather than the natural waist. This is the most frequent sizing error we see. If your measurement feels high up on your body, you are in the right place.
2

Measure your kilt length

Stand straight with your feet together. Starting from your natural waist (the same point as step one), measure straight down to the centre of your kneecap. This is your kilt length.

A properly fitted kilt should fall to the middle of the kneecap — not above it and not below it. This is the traditional and correct length for all styles of kilt.

Tip: Have someone else take this measurement for you if possible. Measuring your own leg length while standing upright is awkward and easy to get wrong. Get a friend or family member to hold the tape from your natural waist while you stand normally.
3

Note your measurements

Write both measurements down. You can provide them in inches or centimetres — we accept both. When placing your order you will be asked to enter your waist measurement and your kilt length in the product options.

We recommend taking each measurement twice to confirm. A one-centimetre error at this stage affects how the finished kilt sits, so it is worth the extra thirty seconds to double-check.

If you are between sizes: Round up, not down. A kilt that is very slightly large can be adjusted with the belt. A kilt that is too small cannot be made larger.
4

Check your measurements against our size guide

Use the size chart below to confirm your measurements fall within a standard range. If your measurements are outside the ranges listed, contact us before ordering and we will advise on the best approach for your build. We can accommodate a wide range of sizes — just ask.

Not sure? Email us at info@scotlandclothes.com before ordering. We would rather answer a question upfront than deal with a sizing issue after the fact.
W K LENGTH NATURAL WAIST MID KNEECAP

W = Waist measured at the belly button · Arrow = Kilt length (waist to mid-kneecap)

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Quick check If your natural waist measurement feels surprisingly high on your body — at belly button level — you are in the right place.

Common measuring mistakes to avoid

✓  Do this

  • Measure at your natural waist — at belly button level
  • Stand straight and breathe out naturally before measuring
  • Use a soft fabric tape measure
  • Have someone else take your leg length measurement
  • Measure twice and use the consistent result
  • Measure in underwear or light clothing only
  • Round up if you are between measurements
  • Contact us if you are unsure about anything

✗  Do not do this

  • Measure at your hip or trouser waistline
  • Pull the tape measure tight against your body
  • Use a rigid tape measure or ruler
  • Measure over thick jumpers or coats
  • Guess your measurements from a previous trouser size
  • Measure your kilt length from your hip rather than natural waist
  • Round down if you are between sizes
  • Order without measuring and assume it will fit

Size chart

Men's kilt size chart

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All kilts are custom made to your exact measurements. The size chart below is for reference only — to help you confirm your measurements are within the standard range. You enter your actual measurements when ordering, not a size label like S, M or L.
Size label Waist (inches) Waist (cm) Hips (inches) Hips (cm) Standard length
XS28 – 30"71 – 76 cm34 – 36"86 – 91 cm21 – 22"
S30 – 32"76 – 81 cm36 – 38"91 – 97 cm22 – 23"
M Most popular32 – 36"81 – 91 cm38 – 42"97 – 107 cm23 – 24"
L36 – 40"91 – 102 cm42 – 46"107 – 117 cm24 – 25"
XL40 – 44"102 – 112 cm46 – 50"117 – 127 cm24 – 26"
XXL44 – 48"112 – 122 cm50 – 54"127 – 137 cm25 – 26"
XXXL48 – 52"122 – 132 cm54 – 58"137 – 147 cm25 – 27"
4XL+52"+132 cm+58"+147 cm+Contact us

* Standard kilt length is to the centre of the kneecap. Your actual length measurement always overrides the standard length column above.

Women's kilt size chart

Size label Waist (inches) Waist (cm) Hips (inches) Hips (cm) Standard length
XS (UK 6–8)24 – 26"61 – 66 cm32 – 34"81 – 86 cm20 – 22"
S (UK 8–10)26 – 28"66 – 71 cm34 – 36"86 – 91 cm21 – 23"
M (UK 10–12) Most popular28 – 32"71 – 81 cm36 – 40"91 – 102 cm22 – 24"
L (UK 12–14)32 – 36"81 – 91 cm40 – 44"102 – 112 cm23 – 24"
XL (UK 14–16)36 – 40"91 – 102 cm44 – 48"112 – 122 cm23 – 25"
XXL (UK 16–18)40 – 44"102 – 112 cm48 – 52"122 – 132 cm24 – 25"
XXXL+44"+112 cm+52"+132 cm+Contact us

Getting the length right

Where should a kilt fall?

The correct length for a kilt is to the centre of the kneecap. Not above the knee, not below the knee. This is the traditional Scottish standard and it exists for a reason — it is the length at which a kilt moves and drapes properly.

Kilts that are too short look wrong immediately. They sit up when you walk and the apron panels do not hang correctly. Kilts that are too long are impractical and restrict movement. The mid-kneecap measurement is not arbitrary — it is the result of centuries of people figuring out what works.

Too short Avoid
Falls more than two centimetres above the centre of the kneecap. The kilt will ride up when sitting and the pleats will not hang correctly when standing. Looks disproportionate on most builds.
Correct length Traditional
Falls to the centre of the kneecap. The kilt drapes correctly, the pleats sit properly and the garment moves as intended. This is the measurement we build to.
Too long Avoid
Falls more than two centimetres below the centre of the kneecap. Restricts movement, looks heavy and is impractical for walking, especially on uneven ground like Highland Games terrain.
TOO SHORT CORRECT TOO LONG Kilt Length Guide Centre of kneecap = correct Waist Waist Waist
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The rule is simple Measure from your natural waist to the centre of your kneecap. That number is your kilt length. Enter that exact number when ordering and we will build to it.

Pleat options

Choosing your pleat style

When you order a kilt from us you can choose how the pleats at the back are set. This is a matter of personal preference and both styles are correct — they are just different traditions.

Box pleats Military style

Box pleats fold outward from a central crease, creating a clean structured appearance at the back. The tartan pattern is visible on the outer face of each pleat.

This style is associated with military dress and is common in formal Highland dress contexts. It gives the kilt a crisper, more tailored look.

  • More structured appearance
  • Tartan shows on pleat faces
  • Traditional military choice
  • Holds shape well during wear
Knife pleats Most common

Knife pleats all fold in the same direction, typically to the left when worn. The pleats are set either to the sett (pattern) or to the stripe of the tartan.

This is the most common pleat style for traditional Scottish kilts and the one we default to unless you specify otherwise. It gives the kilt a flowing, natural movement when walking.

  • Natural flowing movement
  • Most traditional Highland style
  • Can be set to sett or stripe
  • Our default pleat style
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Not sure which pleat style to choose? Go with knife pleats to sett. This is the most traditional choice for a tartan kilt and works well for every occasion from casual wear to formal Highland dress. You can specify your preference in the order notes at checkout.

Unit conversion

Inches to centimetres — quick reference

We accept measurements in either inches or centimetres. Use this table if you need to convert between the two.

Waist measurements

InchesCentimetres
24"61 cm
26"66 cm
28"71 cm
30"76 cm
32"81 cm
34"86 cm
36"91 cm
38"97 cm
40"102 cm
42"107 cm
44"112 cm
46"117 cm
48"122 cm
50"127 cm
52"132 cm

Kilt length measurements

InchesCentimetres
18"46 cm
19"48 cm
20"51 cm
21"53 cm
22"56 cm
23"58 cm
24"61 cm
25"63 cm
26"66 cm
27"69 cm
28"71 cm
29"74 cm
30"76 cm

SIZING QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between waist and hip measurement for a kilt?

A kilt is fitted at the natural waist, not the hip. The natural waist sits at your belly button at the narrowest part of your torso — significantly higher than where trousers or jeans sit. This is the only waist measurement we need. We do not require a hip measurement for the kilt itself, though the size chart includes hip measurements as a secondary reference to help you identify where you fall in the size range.

My waist measurement falls between two sizes. Which should I order?

Always round up, not down. A kilt that is slightly larger than your waist can be adjusted with the belt — you simply belt it slightly higher or tighter. A kilt that is too small cannot be made larger. If your natural waist measures 33 inches, enter 33 inches exactly when ordering. We build to the exact number you provide, so there is no need to round at all unless your tape measure is ambiguous between two quarter-inch marks.

I have lost or gained weight since I last wore a kilt. How do I measure?

Measure your current body, not your previous size. Kilts are not adjustable by more than an inch or two in either direction once made, so ordering to your current measurements is essential. If you are in the middle of losing or gaining weight, contact us and we can advise on the best approach — in some cases it makes sense to wait a few weeks before ordering.

Can I order a kilt for someone else as a gift?

Yes, and we get this question a lot around weddings. The process is the same — you need the recipient's natural waist measurement and kilt length. The best approach is to ask them to measure themselves using this guide and send you the numbers. Guessing someone else's measurements based on their clothing size is not reliable and almost always results in a sizing issue.

What if my kilt does not fit when it arrives?

If the fit issue is on our end — we built it incorrectly from the measurements you provided — we replace it at no cost. If the measurements you gave us were incorrect, you can still request an exchange and we charge a £20 shipping fee for the replacement. Either way, contact us within 7 days of receiving your order. We want every kilt to fit properly. That is the whole reason we build everything to order rather than shipping stock sizes.

Do children's kilts use the same measurement method?

Yes, the same two measurements apply — natural waist and kilt length to the centre of the kneecap. Children's natural waist and kilt length can be harder to measure accurately because children move around more and their proportions are different. If you are unsure, err on the side of slightly longer rather than shorter — children grow and a kilt with a little extra length is more practical than one they will outgrow in a few months. Contact us with any questions before ordering.

Do you offer custom sizing for very large or very small measurements?

Yes. We can accommodate a very wide range of sizes, including measurements outside the standard ranges shown in our size chart. If your measurements fall outside the chart, email us before ordering atinfo@scotlandclothes.com. We will confirm we can fulfil the order and advise if there are any additional requirements. We do not charge extra for non-standard measurements in most cases.

Other size guides

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Jacket Size Guide

How to measure for Argyle and Prince Charlie kilt jackets.

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Tartan Trousers Guide

Waist, hip and inseam measurements for tartan trousers.

Size Guide

Kilt Socks Size Guide

Shoe size to kilt hose size conversion for men and women.

Ready to order your kilt?

You have got your measurements. Now choose your tartan and style. Every kilt built to your exact numbers.

Shop Men's Kilts → Shop Women's Kilts → Still got questions?