School Uniforms · 3 min read
How to Measure Your Child for a School Uniform (With Size Chart)
A five-minute method to measure chest, waist, hip and length at home, plus a Pakistani school uniform size chart from size 22 to 44 by age.
By Books & Books Editorial Team · Published 21 July 2026 · Updated 2 September 2026
The short answer
Measure your child in a thin t-shirt with a soft tape: chest around the fullest part, waist at the navel, hip at the widest point and height barefoot against a wall. Match the chest measurement to the uniform size (a 26-inch chest is a size 26). If they are between sizes, or it is before December, take the larger one.
Key takeaways
- Uniform sizes in Pakistan are chest inches: size 26 = 26-inch chest.
- Four measurements are enough: chest, waist, hip and height.
- Always round up. A slightly big shirt tucks in; a small one cannot be fixed.
- Re-measure every August and every January.
In this guide
What you need
A soft measuring tape (a tailor's tape, not a metal one), a wall, a pencil, and a child in a thin t-shirt and leggings. Measure in the evening if you can: children stand taller and straighter than they do half-awake at 7 a.m.
The four measurements
- Chest. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms, keeping it level at the back. Snug, not tight; you should be able to slip one finger underneath. This number is the uniform size.
- Waist. Around the natural waist, roughly at the navel. Trousers and shalwars are sized from this. Do not suck in or push out.
- Hip. Around the widest point of the hips and bottom. Pinafores and skirts need this one.
- Height. Barefoot, heels against a wall, looking straight ahead. Mark the wall with a pencil and measure down. Height decides trouser inseam and pinafore length.
Write all four down with the date. You will need them again in January.
School uniform size chart (Pakistan)
Sizes vary a little between makers, so treat the ages as a starting point and the chest measurement as the deciding one.
| Size | Chest (in) | Waist (in) | Height (cm) | Typical age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 22 | 21 | 98–108 | 3–4 |
| 24 | 24 | 22 | 108–118 | 5–6 |
| 26 | 26 | 23 | 118–128 | 7–8 |
| 28 | 28 | 24 | 128–138 | 9–10 |
| 30 | 30 | 25 | 138–146 | 11 |
| 32 | 32 | 26 | 146–154 | 12 |
| 34 | 34 | 28 | 154–162 | 13 |
| 36 | 36 | 30 | 162–168 | 14–15 |
| 38 | 38 | 32 | 168–174 | 16+ |
| 40–44 | 40–44 | 34–38 | 174+ | Adult |
Rules of thumb that save an exchange
- Between sizes: go up. A shirt that is half a size big tucks in and lasts two terms. A shirt that is half a size small will not button by October.
- Blazers: buy two inches over chest. They go over a shirt and a cardigan, and ours carry a 2 cm sleeve allowance that a tailor can let down.
- Trousers: check the inseam, not just the waist. A half-elastic waist forgives an inch; a short leg forgives nothing. Our grey trousers come with a generous hem to let down.
- Pinafores: length first. Most schools want the hem at or just above the knee. Adjustable straps handle the rest.
- Shoes: measure feet at the end of the day and leave a thumb-width at the toe. Children's feet grow about half a size every four months.
If you are shopping for the first time
Order one shirt and one bottom in your best-guess size first if you are unsure, check the fit the day it arrives, then place the full order. Delivery is 2–3 days in major cities, so you lose almost no time, and anything unworn can be exchanged free within 7 days. Then read the School Uniform Buying Guide for fabrics, quantities and prices, and shop the School Uniforms department.
Still wondering
Frequently asked questions
What do school uniform sizes 22, 24, 26 mean?
They are chest measurements in inches. A size 26 shirt is cut for a 26-inch chest, which is typically a 7–8 year old.
What size school uniform is a 10 year old?
Most 10 year olds take a size 28 (28-inch chest). Measure to be sure; children of the same age can differ by two sizes.
Should I buy school uniforms a size bigger?
Yes, if you are buying before December. Most children grow a full size across a school year, and a slightly large shirt tucks in without looking wrong.
How do I measure for a school blazer?
Take the chest measurement and add two inches, because a blazer is worn over a shirt and a cardigan.
Books & Books Editorial Team
Booksellers and buyers at Books & Books, Pakistan. We stock everything we recommend, and we hear from the parents and readers who buy it — the advice here is what we tell them across the counter. About Books & Books
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