When you apply to a modeling agency in India, one of the first things they ask for is your measurements. Knowing your numbers, and how to take them correctly, makes you look professional and saves weeks of back and forth.
Quick answer: Indian modeling agencies typically ask for height, bust or chest, waist, hips, and shoe size, and sometimes inseam and dress or collar size. Take them in centimetres, over fitted clothing or underwear, with a soft tape, and never round up. Accurate numbers matter more than "ideal" ones.
Why agencies ask for measurements
Agencies submit you to clients, designers and casting directors who book on specifics: a runway sample size, an e-commerce fit model, an editorial look. Your measurements tell them, in seconds, which jobs you are right for. Wrong or inflated numbers waste everyone's time and cost you re-bookings, so honesty is the professional move.
The 7 measurements, and how to take each
1. Height
Stand barefoot against a wall, heels together, and mark the top of your head. Measure from floor to mark. This is the single number agencies check first.
2. Bust or chest
Measure around the fullest part of the chest, keeping the tape level and parallel to the floor. Women are often also asked for band and cup size. Measure your underband too (snug around the ribcage just under the bust), and the difference between bust and band gives your cup. This matters for lingerie, swimwear, bridal and fitting work, where stylists pull garments by size before you arrive. Our free bra and cup size calculator turns those two numbers into your India/UK, US and EU size.
3. Waist
Measure around the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the navel. Do not pull the tape tight.
4. Hips
Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, feet together.
5. Inseam
From the top of your inner thigh down to the ankle bone. Useful for tall and runway work.
6. Shoe size
Give your size in both Indian/UK and EU where you can, since shows and shoots vary.
7. Dress, collar or suit size
Women may be asked for dress size, men for collar and suit/jacket size. When unsure, send the raw centimetre measurements and let the agency convert.
Do my measurements have to be "perfect"?
No. There is no single winning set of numbers. Commercial, e-commerce, fitness, plus and editorial work all reward different bodies. What agencies actually want is accurate, well-proportioned measurements they can match to real jobs. A strong, honest profile beats a flattering, false one every time.
How to take your measurements at home: 5 rules
- Use a soft cloth tape, not a steel builder's tape.
- Measure over fitted clothing or underwear, never over bulky layers.
- Keep the tape level and snug, not tight.
- Stand relaxed and breathe normally; do not suck in.
- Record in centimetres, and do not round up.
Need your numbers in another unit? Agencies abroad often ask for inches, feet and inches, or US and EU shoe sizes. Use our free measurement converter to switch between cm, inches, feet and inches, kg, pounds and UK, EU and US shoe sizes instantly. For apparel sizes, the clothing size converter maps women's and men's sizes across India, UK, US, EU, Italy and France.
What to send an agency
Send your measurements alongside clean digital photos: a front headshot, a side profile, and a full-length shot in plain clothing. That combination is exactly what AG Models and most reputable agencies review first.
When your numbers are ready, you can apply to AG Models, or read our full beginner guide on how to become a model in Mumbai.
Remember: a legitimate agency never charges aspiring models a fee, requests nude photos, or asks for payment to "register" you.