Is a 28 Inch Waist Small for Women and Men? (2024)

As you can see on our waist circumference chart, having a 28 inch waist is an indicator that your stomach is much slimmer than average. And that’s for both men and women.

With this in mind, the following guide will explain just how small a 28 inch waistline is for males and females. You can also see how your waist stacks up by checking out our other measurement articles.

  • 20 inch waist
  • 21 inch waist
  • 22 inch waist
  • 23 inch waist
  • 24 inch waist
  • 25 inch waist
  • 26 inch waist
  • 27 inch waist
  • 29 inch waist

Table of Contents show

Is a 28 inch waist small for a woman?

Is a 28 Inch Waist Small for Women and Men? (1)

Is a 28 inch waist small for a woman? Yes, a 28 inch waist is definitely small for a woman. In fact, a female 28″ waist is 11 inches smaller than average and is a strong indicator that your body is in good health. [1]

Some women naturally have slimmer waistlines than others due to their genetics, which means that they have an easier time sculpting and then maintaining their 28 in waist.

On the other hand, some ladies, especially those with larger builds, may never be able to get a 28 inch waist due to their large bone structure.

Still, a 28 inch stomach is definitely small for a woman, and you can greatly increase your chances of slimming your waist by maintaining a healthy BMI and exercising regularly.

Is a 28 inch waist small for a man?

Is a 28 Inch Waist Small for Women and Men? (2)

Is a 28 inch waist small for a man? Yes, a 28 inch waist is very small for a man. Just how small? A 28″ waist is tiny because such a measurement is more than 12 inches smaller than average and may even be an indicator that a man is underweight.

Of course, many slim adolescents naturally have a 28 in waist and then gain extra abdominal muscle and fat as they get older, which makes their waistline thicker.

On the other hand, a minority of natural bodybuilders and physique athletes can sculpt a 28 inch waist if they cut down to a low body fat level.

This is simply because when your body weight and body fat percentage both decrease, you’re very likely to lose some size from your stomach, which gives you a slimmer waist and a better v-taper.

What does a 28 inch waist look like?

Is a 28 Inch Waist Small for Women and Men? (3)

A 28 inch waist looks small on just about any kind of body but will look smaller or larger depending on your height and build.

If a tall person and a short person both have a 28″ waist, for example, the tall person’s waist will likely look slimmer. This is because a 28 inch waistline represents a much smaller surface area on a long torso than on a short torso.

The biggest factor that determines what your 28 in waist looks like, however, is your body composition.

If you’re short but have a fair amount of body fat, then your waist might still look small, but it might not look especially toned or skinny.

On the other hand, if you have toned abs and a flat stomach, then your waist will look very slim and defined because of your lack of abdominal fat.

How big is a 28.5 inch waist?

Is a 28 Inch Waist Small for Women and Men? (4)

Even though a 28.5 inch waist may seem a lot bigger than a 28 inch waistline (in your head), the difference is barely detectable to the human eye.

For example, many people with a genuine 28 inch waist size will actually have a 28.5 inch waist (or an even larger size) when their stomach is full.

It’s normal for your waist size to fluctuate slightly throughout the day and, if you’re a woman, throughout the month as well because being on your period can make you gain weight by retaining water. [2]

Some clothing brands also use half-inch sizes, so it can be useful to accurately gauge your waist size so that you can buy clothing that fits you well.

Are there any celebrities with a 28 inch waist?

Is a 28 Inch Waist Small for Women and Men? (5)

If you perform a quick internet search, you can find an extensive list of “28 inch waist celebrities”.

So why am I not naming them here?

First off, these lists are auto-generated and not manually curated, so it’s very difficult to know if they’re accurate (some celebs appear on more than one waist size list!).

Additionally, celebrity measurements are often exaggerated so that members of the public are more likely to aspire to certain celebs.

Now, I’m not saying that there aren’t certain celebrities who have a 28 inch waist because, as I said, you can find a ton of examples online.

I’m just making the point that many of these measurements are inaccurate and may cause you to believe that your waist is overly large when, in reality, it’s perfectly normal and healthy.

What is a good hip size for a 28 inch waist?

Is a 28 Inch Waist Small for Women and Men? (6)

Your waist-to-hip ratio can impact how attractive you are to certain members of the opposite sex.

The “ideal ratio” differs across cultures, but it’s commonly said that in Western nations, a ratio of 0.7 is considered to be most attractive. [3]

With that in mind, this section takes some requested waist and hip sizes and calculates your waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). If your proportions aren’t listed here, then you can easily get your WHR by dividing your waist size by your hip size.

28 inch waist 36 inch hips

If you have a 28 inch waist and 36 inch hips, then you have a WHR of 0.78. This is an indicator that your body is in good health. As such, unless you’re overweight (which is highly unlikely if you have a 28″ waist), you don’t need to lower this value.

28 inch waist 38 inch hips

Having a 28 inch waist and 38 inch hips gives you a curvy 0.74 WHR. This low WHR—when looked at in isolation—means that you have a low risk for conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. [4]

28 inch waist 40 inch hip

If you have 40 inch hips and a 28 inch waist, then you have what many scientists and researchers would call the ideal WHR. [5]

Of course, considering that many models have this ratio, not every woman has the genetics to get these proportions, and that’s perfectly okay because you can still look great with a considerably different WHR.

28 inch waist 42 inch hips

Having a 28 inch waist and 42 inch hips gives you an hourglass figure and a 0.67 WHR. The vast majority of women won’t be able to attain these proportions because of the striking difference in size between the waist and the hips.

Of course, if you build your glutes with strength training while maintaining a slim waist, then you can still get an hourglass figure even if you don’t naturally have one.

Conclusion: Is a 28 inch waist big or not?

Is a 28 Inch Waist Small for Women and Men? (7)

Is a 28 inch waist big for an adult? No, a 28 inch waist isn’t big for an adult man or woman. In fact, the opposite is true; a 28 inch stomach is small for both men and women.

Having a 28 inch waistline is only bad if it’s indicative of other health problems such as you being underweight.

On the other hand, some people have naturally slim waists and can maintain a perfectly healthy BMI while having a firm, slim stomach.

References

  1. Cleveland Clinic. (2021, August 27). Excess Pounds and Heart Disease: How to Calculate Your Risk. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/excess-pounds-and-heart-disease-how-to-calculate-your-risk/
  2. Mayo Clinic. (2022, January 21). Water retention: Relieve this premenstrual symptom. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/womens-health/in-depth/water-retention/art-20044983?reDate=12022022
  3. Streeter, S. (2003). Waist–hip ratio and attractiveness New evidence and a critique of “a critical test”. Evolution and Human Behavior, 24(2), 88–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1090-5138(02)00121-6
  4. WebMD. (2021, April 7). What Is Waist to Hip Ratio? https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/what-is-waist-to-hip-ratio
  5. Kościński, K. (2013b). Attractiveness of women’s body: body mass index, waist–hip ratio, and their relative importance. Behavioral Ecology, 24(4), 914–925. https://doi.org/10.1093/beheco/art016
Is a 28 Inch Waist Small for Women and Men? (2024)

FAQs

Is a 28-inch waist small for a woman? ›

28-Inch Waist for Women

The average waist size for American women is 35.6 inches. That means a 28-inch waist would put you between the 5th and 10th percentiles, which is considerably smaller than average. However, it's important to remember that 3 out of 4 adult women in the US are overweight or obese.

Is a 28-inch waist skinny? ›

Generally speaking, a 28-inch waist is on the small side and indicates low abdominal fat, a marker of good health. However, having a slim waist doesn't automatically make you healthy. And you must also consider other diet and lifestyle factors.

What size is 28-inch waist? ›

Size 28 is usually a size 10.

What counts as a small waist? ›

What should your waist measurement be? For men, a waist circumference below 94cm (37in) is 'low risk', 94–102cm (37-40in) is 'high risk' and more than 102cm (40in) is 'very high'. For women, below 80cm (31.5in) is low risk, 80–88cm (31.5-34.6in) is high risk and more than 88cm (34.6in) is very high.

Is size 28 small or medium? ›

I WONDER HOW MUCH IT SHRINKS?
WOMEN'S SIZES:
Size:Waist:
Small4-625-26"
Medium8-1027-28"
Large12-1429-30"
2 more rows

What is the perfect waist size for a girl? ›

Ideal waistline measurement

According to the Heart Foundation, a healthy waistline size is: 37 inches or less for men. 31.5 inches or less for women.

What is the skinniest waist size? ›

The smallest waist of a person with normal stature was 33 cm (13 in) and was recorded on Ethel Granger (UK) (1905–82). She reduced from a natural 56 cm (22 in) to 33 cm (13 in) over the period 1929–39.

How do models have such small waists? ›

A majority of models if not all models were born with a very fast metabolism. Genetics is the biggest reason why they have very tiny waists. Then, as they get older their body starts to slowly change especially if they're not eating right.

What is the correct waist size for height? ›

The guideline says a healthy waist to height ratio is 0.4 to 0.49, indicating no increased health risks. A ratio of 0.5 to 0.59 puts people at increased risk of health issues, while 0.6 or more puts them at the highest risk of health problems.

What is a normal size 28? ›

The average woman wears a jeans size of 34×30.
Jean Size Women (W)US Misses SizeWaist (Inches)
25/26225.5” - 27.5”
27427.5” - 28.5”
28628.5” - 29.5”
29829.5” - 30.5”
11 more rows

Is size 28 waist a size 6? ›

Width of Jeans: Measure directly on Jeans. Waist: Measure at the height of your hip (belly).
...
Men to Women's Jeans Size Conversion Chart.
Men's Jeans SizeWaist Size (inches)Women's Jeans Size
2727” - 27.5”6
2928” - 28.5”8
3129” - 29.5”10
3330” - 30.5”12
6 more rows

Is a 28 inch waist a size 8? ›

US 8 - either UK 10 (Waist 27”/28" and Bust 35”/36") or UK 12 (Waist 29”/30" and Bust 37”/38") US 10 - either UK 12 (Waist 29”/30" and Bust 37”/38") or UK 14 (Waist 31”/32" and Bust 39”/40") US 12 - approximately UK 14 (Waist 31”/32" and Bust 39”/40") US 14 - approximately UK 16 (Waist 33"/34" and Bust 41"/42")

Is it OK to have a small waist? ›

A thin waist has been proven to be an indicator of good health. This is simply because so many vital organs are found in this area of the body, and storing fat there dramatically increases your risk of health problems.

How small is a waist for hourglass? ›

The hourglass have a well-defined waist line that is significantly smaller than your shoulders or hips. The rule of thumb here is 75%. That is, your waist is at least 25% smaller than your shoulder, hip and bust measurements.

Is a smaller waist better? ›

Reducing your waist size can give you more energy and lessen your risk of certain health conditions, including heart disease and diabetes. Carrying weight around your midsection is also linked to higher mortality rates.

Is size 28 a good size? ›

Size 28 is a perfectly healthy size. So celebrate yourself and splurge on a great pair of jeans!

Is size 28 pants a small? ›

Waist Size: XS or extra small means 28–30 inches (71–76 cm), S or Small means 30–32 inches (76–81 cm), M or Medium means 32–34 inches (81–86 cm), and L or Large means 34–36 inches (86–91 cm).

What age is size 28 for? ›

Size Guide
EU SIZEUK SIZEAPPROXIMATE AGE
2583 Years
268.53 Years
2794 Years
28105 Years
17 more rows

What size waist Do models have? ›

Runway or Catwalk Model

Runway models must have precise measurements so they're able to fit the clothes that designers are going to be showing to their clients. Their measurements are usually no greater than 34 inches around the bust, 23 inches around the waist, and 34 inches around the hips.

Can you be a model with a 26 inch waist? ›

Likewise, models can be older but agencies and clients tend to like their models looking younger and more youthful. Height is typically between 5'9″-6″, bust is between 32″-36″, waist is between 22″-26″, and hips should be between 33″-35″.

What is Rose's waist size? ›

She trained for 4 years 2 months (2012 May). She’s known for her unique voice and slim waist. Her stylist said that her pants size is 24 (size 0) and her waist is less than 24 inches (60.96 cm) wide.

What size waist is a flat stomach? ›

To do it, breath normally and wrap the tape around the part of your stomach that's roughly two inches above your hips. The resulting number is your waist circumference. In general if you're a woman, you want a measurement that's less than 34.5 inches. If you're a man, a number below 40 inches is ideal.

Which model has the smallest waist? ›

Cathie Jung (born 1937) is an American Victorian dress and corset enthusiast residing in Manteo, NC, United States. She has held the Guinness World Record for the smallest waist on a living person since 1999. Jung, who is 1.72 meters (5 ft 8 in) tall, has a waist that measures 38.1 centimeters (15.0 in).

How small can a woman's waist be? ›

Typically, a circumference of 35 inches or less is considered a normal and healthy waist size for women, according to the NIH. Women with a waist measurement greater than 35 inches may be at higher risk for certain diseases and health issues.

Are small waists more attractive? ›

An American researcher has found that waist size has been a major indicator of female beauty over the centuries, at least according to analysis of literature: … while the most-often mentioned feature was the breasts, waistlines were mentioned 66 times, with a slim waist predominantly linked to attractiveness.

Can you have a small waist naturally? ›

The answer is yes, you can—but it requires more than just diet pills or tummy shapers. Achieving a smaller waist is done through diet and exercise changes, which this article outlines. Below are the best foods to eat and exercise that will help you reach your goals!

Why are women's waists small? ›

In females, the circumference of the hips is generally larger than the circumference of the waist due to basic female anatomy. This correlation will cause the ratio to be lower (further away from 1) than the ratio for a male. For example, if a female has a 32-inch waist and 40-inch hips they will have a ratio of . 80.

What is a healthy waist size for a 5 3 woman? ›

Averages for women in the United States: Waist size: 38.7 inches. Height: 63.6 inches, or 5 feet 3 inches.

How much should a 5 4 female weigh? ›

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute indicates that a healthy weight for a woman who is 5 feet, 4 inches tall ranges from 110 to 140 pounds with a BMI of 19 to 24. A woman whose BMI score is above 25 falls in the overweight category and 30 and above falls in the obesity category.

What is the ideal waist size for a 5 2 female? ›

Generally, a waist circumference equal to half your height is considered a healthy target. For example, if you're 5'2″, your ideal waist measurement would be around 31 inches (62″ x 0.5 = 31″).

What age is size 28 pants? ›

Girls Pants Size Chart (Five to 13 Years)
SizeAgeWaist
12 / L9 to 10 years25 to 26 inches
14 / XL10 to 11 years26 to 28 inches
16 / XXL11 to 12 years28 to 30 inches
18 / XXXL12 to 13 years30 to 32 inches
4 more rows
Mar 7, 2021

What size is 28 womens jeans? ›

Womens Bottoms
SizeJean SizeHip
62838
82939
103040
123141
9 more rows

What size of pants is a 28? ›

Women's Pants Size Chart (Waist/Hips)
US SizeWaist (Inches / Centimeters)Hips (Inches / Centimeters)
026 in / 66 cm34–35 in / 86.5–89 cm
227 in / 68.5 cm35–36 in / 89–91.5 cm
428 in / 71 cm36–37 in / 91.5–94 cm
629 in / 74 cm37–38 in / 94–96.5 cm
9 more rows
Aug 18, 2022

What is the perfect size for a woman? ›

your ideal measurements should be: Bust, 34 inches to 35 inches: waist, 24 inches to 25 inches; hips, 34 inches to 35 inches. If you're a tall woman of over 5 feet 6 inches, you must stack up to these measurements for perfection: Bust, 35 inches to 37 inches; waist, 25 inches to 27 inches; hips, 35 inches to 37 inches.

What size is a 28 waist in girls? ›

Girl's Sizing Charts
SizeBustWaist
XS (7)25"-26" (64-66 cm)22"-23" (56-58 cm)
S (8)26"-28" (66-71 cm)23"-24" (58-61 cm)
M (10-12)28"-30" (76-81 cm)25"-26" (64-66 cm)
L (14-16)30"-32" (76-81 cm)26"-27: (66-69 cm)
1 more row

What do guys think of small waists? ›

In fact, science shows that men are highly attracted to women with good curves. Scottish researchers found that the slimmer a woman's waist, the more satisfied her partner and the less likely he is to suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Why do people find small waists attractive? ›

Men consistently find women the most attractive when they have a low waist-to-hip ratio — commonly referred to as an hourglass figure. New research provides evidence that men have this preference because it is a reliable signal of physical and sexual maturity in young women who have not been pregnant.

What age does your waist get smaller? ›

What age does your waist get smaller? Your body shape begins to change around age 30. 5 These changes occur because of a decline in muscle mass and an increase in body fat. But, getting regular exercise and eating a nutritious diet may help delay some of these age-related body changes.

What is the most common body type? ›

Rectangle Body Type

This body type is the most common and is typically considered the healthiest. Rectangle-shaped people are less likely to develop obesity, heart disease, or diabetes. A rectangle body shape is typically thin and has a proportional waist, hips, and shoulders.

Which body shape is best for female? ›

One of the most desired body shapes is an hourglass one. It looks the most balanced of all, and if you have this body shape, then it means your hips and bust measurements are equal in size, and you have a waist that is well-defined and narrower than your bust and hips.

How rare is hourglass figure? ›

A true hourglass figure is fairly rare. Less than 10% of women come by the shape naturally. Much more common are the banana, apple, or pear shapes with the banana shape being the most common.

Does my waist get smaller if I lose weight? ›

When you start to lose fat, it's proportionate throughout your body, whether it's your neck, waist, ankle circumference. You'll come out smaller but have the same body shape."

Should your waist be smaller than your hips? ›

Your waist-to-hip ratio might give you a better picture of your health than your weight or your BMI. You can be at a healthy weight but have too much fat around your midsection. A good rule of thumb is that your waist should be smaller than your hips, no matter your weight or BMI.

What size is a 28 waist in women's? ›

For example: If you have a 32 inch waist, your size is a US-Size M or Euro-Size 42.
Waist (Inch)Hips (Inch)US Size / Internat.
25 - 2635 - 36XS
27 - 2837 - 38S
28 - 2938 - 39S
29 - 3039 - 40M
12 more rows

What size waist is a small women's? ›

Woman Size Charts
SizeSmall
16.5–17.5
8.Waist25–26½
63.5–67.5
9.Hips35–36
14 more rows

What is the smallest womens waist? ›

Cathie Jung (born 1937) is an American Victorian dress and corset enthusiast residing in Manteo, NC, United States. She holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest waist on a living person. Jung, who is 1.72 metres (5.6 ft) tall, has a waist that measures 38.1 centimetres (15.0 in).

Is a 28 waist a size 6? ›

Waist: Measure at the height of your hip (belly).
...
Men to Women's Jeans Size Conversion Chart.
Men's Jeans SizeWaist Size (inches)Women's Jeans Size
2727” - 27.5”6
2928” - 28.5”8
3129” - 29.5”10
3330” - 30.5”12
6 more rows

What size hips is a size 28? ›

Step 2: Find Your Size
SizeBustLow hip
265456.5
285658.5
305860.5
326062.5
12 more rows

What is the smallest natural waist size? ›

The smallest waist of a person with normal stature was 33 cm (13 in) and was recorded on Ethel Granger (UK) (1905–82). She reduced from a natural 56 cm (22 in) to 33 cm (13 in) over the period 1929–39.

What size is considered petite? ›

In fashion and clothing, a petite size is a U.S. standard clothing size. Petite sizes are designed for women 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) and under, regardless of their physical body shape or weight. Many clothing stores cater their petite sized styles to people who are 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) or shorter.

What's the world record for smallest waist? ›

The smallest waist belongs to Cathie Jung (USA, b. 1937), who stands at 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) and has a corseted waist measuring 38.1 cm (15 in). Un-corseted, it measures 53.34 cm (21 in).

Is my waist too small for my height? ›

The general guidance is that the waist-to-height ratio between 0.4 and 0.49 is considered healthy. It may suggest that you're underweight if it's below 0.4. On the other hand, values exceeding 0.5 indicate a greater probability of health issues related to excess body weight.

Is 27 inch waist small for a girl? ›

Originally Answered: Is a 27inch waist big for a teen girl? No, it's small, which is good. But it may not be SO amazing if your hips are like 27 -30 inches.

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