What Inseam Should Your Leggings Be?

Most people under about 5'4" do well with a 24 to 26 inch inseam, average heights from roughly 5'4" to 5'8" with 25 to 28 inches, and anyone 5'9" and taller with 28 to 31 inches. That is a rule of thumb, not a law. Leg length varies a lot at the same height, so measuring your own inseam gives the better answer.

The inseam is measured from the crotch seam to the bottom hem. A longer inseam means longer leggings. The goal is simple: pick the inseam that puts the hem where you want it. That is either at the ankle bone for full length or a few inches above it for a 7/8 cut.

This guide gives you a height chart, a two-minute way to measure, a breakdown of 7/8 versus full length, and the brands that offer petite and tall options. We have not tested the leggings below; the details come from the brand data on each product.

Want a shortlist matched to your height? Try the leggings finder.

Height to inseam: a starting chart

Use this as a starting point and treat the numbers as approximate. Brands cut their hems differently.

If you have a longer-than-average torso, you may do better one step up the chart. If you have long legs for your height, go up. If your legs are short for your height, go down.

How to measure your own inseam

1. Put on snug pants or tights that fit well, or measure on bare legs.
2. Stand barefoot with feet slightly apart.
3. Use a soft tape measure and measure from the highest point of your inner thigh (the crotch) down to your ankle bone.
4. Write the number down. That is your full-length inseam target.
5. For a 7/8 cut, subtract about 2 to 3 inches.

An easier route is to measure a pair of leggings you already love. Lay them flat and measure along the inside leg seam from crotch to hem. Compare that to the listed inseam on the new pair.

Full length vs 7/8: what is the difference?

• Full length reaches your ankle bone or the top of your foot. It looks and feels like a classic legging, covers more skin in cool weather, and can bunch at the ankle if it is too long.
• 7/8 length ends a couple of inches above the ankle. It shows a bit of ankle, stays clear of the shoe and is popular for running and the gym. On shorter legs, a 7/8 may land close to a full length.
• Capri and cropped end mid-calf or below the knee. These suit hot weather.

Brands label 7/8 inconsistently, so go by the number of inches. The Alo 7/8 Airbrush lists an inseam of 24 to 24.5 inches, and the Alo Airlift Strength 7/8 lists 24.25 to 25.25 inches. The brand says the second suits shorter legs. Meanwhile the full-length Alo Airlift lists 28 to 28.5 inches.

Petite: if you are 5'3" or under

Standard full-length leggings often pool at the ankle on petite frames, which can look messy and may feel less secure. Look for:

• A dedicated petite inseam of 24 to 25 inches.
• A 7/8 cut, which often lands at the ankle on petite legs.
• A rise that fits your torso length. A very tall rise can reach your ribs on a short torso.

Options with a petite length in our data:

• Athleta Elation: petite 25, regular and plus 27, tall 30, according to the brand.
• Athleta Salutation Stash Pocket: petite 25, regular 27, tall 30, with side pockets.
• Lululemon Align: 25, 28 and 31 inch options.
• Girlfriend Collective Compressive: 23.75, 28 and 31 inches.
• Fabletics PowerHold: 7/8, regular and tall lengths.

Tall: if you are 5'9" or over

Standard lengths often stop above the ankle on tall frames, which turns a full-length legging into a 7/8. If you want a full ankle-length cover, look for tall inseams of 30 to 31 inches or more.

• Athleta Elation and Salutation both offer a tall 30 inch inseam.
• Girlfriend Collective's Compressive legging has a 31 inch option.
• The Lululemon Align comes in 31 inches.
• Vuori's Daily Legging offers Short, Regular (24.5) and Long lengths, according to its product page.

If you like the cropped look, 28 inch full-lengths may land as a 7/8 on you, which is fine if that is what you want.

Plus-size and extended sizing

Inseam does not always scale with size. Many brands use the same inseam from XS to 3X. Athleta lists a regular/plus inseam of 27 inches on the Elation, and its page offers sizes XXS to 3X. If you are plus size and tall, check that both a plus size range and a tall length are offered for the exact style. Our best leggings list flags plus, petite and tall availability.

Other fit factors that change how a hem lands

• Rise: a higher rise pulls the hem up. If a legging has a very tall rise, a given inseam may sit slightly shorter.
• Fabric stretch: very stretchy leggings can lengthen as you wear them, and more compressive fabrics may ride up when you sit.
• Cuffs and gathers: a slightly longer pair with a bit of scrunch can look intentional.
• Shoes: you may want a longer hem with sneakers and a shorter one with sandals or boots.

What if the length is wrong?

Return windows vary. Vuori lists 120 days, Brooks 90, Nike 60, and most brands 30. Because length is a fit issue, a long window helps. See our activewear return policies comparison. Many brands also let you exchange free, so a different length is easy to try.

How inseam fits into your overall choice

Length is one part of the choice. Pair it with the right rise, fabric and compression. Our guide to choosing leggings covers those, and the best leggings list shows picks with the inseams listed. If you want to compare lengths side by side, use this table.