But if you don't absolutely have to get a perfect fit, measurements make it possible to fit a suit fairly well without a dummy. The end fit will only be as accurate as your measurements are, so when in doubt, measure twice! I recommend getting a cloth measuring tape, to be found at any sewing store, craft store, or in the craft section of Wal-Mart, if you're doing a lot of measurements. You'll probably also want a friend, as it's very hard to accurately measure yourself. You'll find detailed directions on how to take each measurement at the bottom of the page.

What to measure:

For a head:
Hat

For short hand paws:
Hand width
Hand length
wrist

For shoulder-length hald paws:
Hand width
Hand Length
Wrist
Arm length
Bicep
Elbow

For indoor footpaws:
Foot width
Foot length

For outdoor footpaws:
Shoe size

For a men's bodysuit:
Neck to shoulder
Chest
Waist
Nape to waist
Hip
Thigh
Inseam
Outseam
Crotch
Arm length
Bicep
Elbow

For a women's bodysuit:
Neck to shoulder
Chest
Waist
Nape to waist
Hip
Thigh
Inseam
Outseam
Crotch
Arm length
Bicep
Elbow
Point to point
Shoulder to point<

How to Measure:

All measurements will be more accurate if taken with minimal clothing worn. Always measure your dominant hand/arm/leg/etc. Always measure around muscles when flexed, not relaxed. You may find it easier to print this page and mark the measurements you need. When in doubt, measure twice. When rounding, always round up, never round down. To the nearest 1/2 inch or nearest cm is accurate enough.

A.) Neck to shoulder. Measure from your neck to your shoulder. You may find this easier if you wear a tight-fitting T-shirt and measure from the neck of the shirt to the shoulder seam.

B.) Chest. Measure around your chest at the widest point. Women should be sure to measure over their breasts.

C.) Waist. Find the point where you bend. The place where you wear your pants is usually not your waist. Bend to the side, note the spot where the bend happens, measure around at that spot. It should be just above your belly button, but just below your rib cage. It may help to take other body measurements (like crotch and nape to waist,) if you tie a string around your real waist, to make it easier to find again.

D.) Arm length. From the shoulder (see A) to the wrist.

E.) Bicep. Around your upper arm at the widest point. Please be certain to measure when flexed, not when relaxed.

F.) Elbow. Around your lower arm, just below the elbow. Once again try to measure the widest point.

G.) Wrist. Around your wrist.

H.) Hips. Around your hips (and around your butt too.) Measure at whatever point is the widest.

I.) Thigh. Around your thigh at the widest point. Be sure to measure when flexed, not relaxed.

J.) Outseam. This is the measurement from your waist to your ankle. Not just to your upper ankle, to the bottom of your anklebone, near the floor.

K.) Inseam. Measure from your crotch to your ankle.

L.) Crotch. Measure from your waist in front, around your crotch, to your waist in back.

M.) Point to Point. From the point of one breast to the point of the other. Measure with a bra on.

N.) Shoulder to point. From the center of your shoulder to the point of one breast. Measure with a bra on.

O.) Hand Length. From the tip of your longest finger to the base of your hand.

P.) Hand Width. Measure all the way around your hand at the knuckles.

Q.) Foot length. Measure from the heel to level with the big toe.

R.) Food width. Across the foot at the widest point.

S.) Nape to waist. From the nape of your neck (where that little spinal knob is) to your waist.)

T.) Hat. Around your head just above your ears, where a hat would sit.