The correct way to use a self-retracting body measuring tape is to wrap it around the target body part, insert the peg into the slot, press the button to cinch it snug, release, and read the yellow side where the tape exits the case — no math required.
Most people grab a measuring tape and guess their way through it. But that yellow-sided retracting tape with the peg on the end is different from a standard sewing tape measure. It has a built-in 2-inch offset on the body side, and knowing how the two sides work is the difference between ordering clothes that fit perfectly and getting a return label the next day.
What Makes This Tape Different From a Standard Measure
The self-retracting body tape — the kind used by the “Perfect Waist and Body Tape” and the “MadamSew Body Measuring Tape” — has two distinct reading sides. The yellow side is the body circumference side. Its measurement scale begins 2 inches (~5 cm) from the physical edge of the tape, accounting for the curved case that sits against your body. The white side is a standard linear tape that starts at zero, useful for measuring fabrics, inseams, or flat items.
This dual-sided design is not a quirk — it is the feature that makes self-measurement possible without subtracting case width or doing any math. The yellow side gives you the circumference directly.
Step-by-Step: How To Use the Body Measuring Tape Correctly
The manufacturer documentation for both the Perfect and the MadamSew tapes lays out a specific sequence. Follow these four steps and you get a snug, accurate reading every time.
- Press the retract button and pull out enough tape to wrap around the body part (waist, bust, hip). Make sure the yellow side faces outward away from your body.
- While holding the button down, insert the plastic cylinder-shaped peg at the end of the tape into the rounded slot on the side of the case.
- Release the button slowly so the tape retracts naturally. Let it pull itself snug against your body — do not yank it tight. Once the tape is fit snugly but not digging into the skin, press the button back in to lock the measurement.
- Remove the peg from the slot and read the measurement on the yellow side exactly where the tape exits the case. That number is your circumference; no subtraction needed.
The when you pull the peg free, the tape stays locked at that number so you can step away and write it down.
Where To Measure: Five Standard Body Points
The accuracy of your measurement is only as good as the placement. Use these positions from official sewing and garment-sizing guidelines — each point matters for different clothing types.
| Body Point | Where To Measure | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Bust / Chest | Around the fullest part of the bust, tape straight across the back | Measuring too high or low; tape angled down at the back |
| Natural Waist | The narrowest part of the torso, above the belly button and below the ribcage | Measuring where your pants sit (low waist), not the natural waistline |
| Hips | Around the fullest part of the buttocks and hips, below the hip bones | Measuring too high, at the waist instead of the widest point |
| Upper Bust | Under the armpits, over the top of the bust, parallel to the floor | Letting the tape sag instead of staying level across the back |
| Inseam | From the crotch along the inside leg to the ankle floor | Bending the leg or measuring over baggy pants that add slack |
For the waist measurement, stand straight and breathe normally. The natural waist is typically the most sensitive to breathing — inhaling and exhaling can shift a reading by half an inch. The made-by-Rae body measurement guide recommends repeating three times and taking the median if any reading feels off.
Common Mistakes That Skew Your Numbers
Even with the right tape and correct placement, a few reflexes will produce bad measurements. Here are the four most common.
- Pulling the tape too tight compresses the skin and yields a smaller number. The tape should be snug — the retracted spring tension is enough — never pressing into the tissue.
- Measuring over baggy clothing adds slack. Wear leggings or a tank top, or measure with only undergarments on. Consistency in what you wear is key: if you buy clothes for everyday wear, measure with the undergarments you actually use, as wikiHow’s body measurement guide emphasizes.
- Letting the tape tilt up or down instead of staying level. Use a mirror or another person to check that the tape is parallel to the floor all the way around.
- Reading the wrong side of the tape. If you wrap it with the yellow side outward and then read the white side, you will be off by exactly the 2-inch offset. The yellow side is for body circumference; the white side is for flat length.
If you are measuring for a specific garment like a strapless dress or swim top, you may also want to check our tested roundup of the best breast tape for large busts for support and fit tips.
Why Time of Day and Breathing Matter
Your body changes shape over the course of a day. By afternoon, gravity and fluid shifts can make the body slightly wider and shorter by up to half an inch at the waist and hips. Measure first thing in the morning for the most consistent baseline. Stand in a relaxed posture with normal breathing — do not hold your breath or puff your chest out.
Reading the Yellow and White Scale
The markings are standard: the smallest lines represent 1/16 of an inch, the second-smallest 1/8, the next 1/4, and the longest 1 inch. Both sides also show centimeters on the reverse edge. For more on reading fractional marks, a beginner-friendly tape measure explanation is available on Nancy’s YouTube tape measure tutorial.
| Scale | Purpose | Starting Point |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow side | Body circumference (waist, bust, hips) | 2 inches from physical edge |
| White side | Linear length (fabric, inseams, flat surfaces) | 0 inches at the physical edge |
Three Quick Checks Before You Trust the Number
Before you write down the measurement, run through this final checklist. These three questions catch 90% of mistakes from first-time users.
- Was the yellow side facing outward? If the white side was facing you, you may have read the wrong scale.
- Did the tape stay level? Use a mirror or ask someone to confirm the rear edge is not sagging or rising.
- Did you measure the body part with the same undergarments you will wear? The difference between a push-up bra and a bralette can be two inches at the bust.
FAQs
Can I use a standard sewing tape instead of the retractable kind?
Yes, but you have to subtract the case width yourself if the tape starts at a metal tab. Standard cloth tapes start at zero at the metal tab and are fine for body measurement — just wrap the tape around the body and read where the zero end meets the scale. No retraction or peg to deal with.
Why does the yellow side start at 2 inches?
The case itself has a curved section that sits against your body. Starting the scale at 2 inches on the yellow side means the tape shows the true circumference without you having to add case width. The white side is a standard zero-start for linear measurement.
How tight should the tape be around my waist?
Snug enough that it does not slide down from gravity but loose enough that you can slide one fingertip between the tape and your skin. If the tape leaves a mark when you remove it, you pulled too tight.
Should I measure on an inhale or exhale?
Take the measurement at the end of a normal exhale with the lungs relaxed. Inhaling pulls the diaphragm down and expands the ribcage, adding up to an inch to the waist. Exhaling fully can make the measurement too small.
How can I measure my own back without help?
Use a mirror to check that the tape is level across the rear edge, or stand in a doorway and line up the tape edge with the doorway frame. The retractable tape with the peg system is easier for self-measurement than a standard cloth tape because it locks itself as it retracts.
References & Sources
- MadamSew. “Body Self-Measuring Tape Manual.” Manufacturer instructions for the retractable peg-and-slot tape.
- Perfect Measuring Tape. “Instructions.” Official product use guide for the Perfect body tape.
- wikiHow. “5 Ways to Take Body Measurements.” Covers placement, posture, and common mistakes.