What’s an Appropriate Waist Reduction For Me?
Many corset sites recommend choosing a corset 4-6 inches below your natural waist measurement, but sometimes it’s not quite that easy!
The right waist reduction for you depends on several factors, including how compressible you are, what you’ll be using the corset for, and whether you like to wear corsets laced closed or with a gap.
The calculator below is NOT perfect, but is meant to be a starting point can help guide you towards an appropriate waist reduction for your first corset.
It is strongly recommended that you read through the tutorial here before using the calculator.
UPDATE FEBRUARY 2021: If you’re trying to size yourself for the TT, GC or Artemis corsets, use the super precise LucyBots!
If you’re specifically looking to figure out which corset in our shop will fit your measurements, we have a free mini-consultation service – just fill out the contact form on this page and Lucy will personally respond with her recommendations (usually within 36 hours).
Try the calculator and let us know if it worked for you in a comment below!
Troubleshooting:
Did the calculator give you a really weird size? See the suggestions below:
My size seems way too small!
The most common reason for this is because you chose “intend to lose weight” and also “I prefer a lacing gap”. The calculator sizes you down if you’re actively losing weight (so you don’t “shrink out” of your corset too quickly), but also sizes you down if you ask for a gap – meaning it’s now about 4 inches smaller than what you would wear currently.
If you’re losing weight, your smaller corset will give you a gap anyway – so don’t ask for a lacing gap in the back!
My size is the same or bigger than my natural waist!
The most common reason for this is because you’re petite and firm, on a weight-gain trend, and you just want a corset for fun casual wear. Choose a lacing gap in the back which will size you down, or place your weight as steady for the time being.
It gave me an “odd” size corset! Should I size up or down?
There’s an extra question below your corset size that corrects for that! Scroll up and choose your experience level, and it will give you an “even” size corset!
Thanks for trying the sizing calculator! Did it work for you? Leave a comment below!
Hi Lucy,
I’m checking if the “Romantasy” link (on the 20/20 episode about extremes) is supposed to go to an adult video website? If it is that’s cool, it asks if a person is 18 or not, there aren’t any corsets though. I thought maybe it just showed underbust corsets without tops on or something 😂 Sorry, I know this is unrelated but the comments there are closed and I figured I should bring it to your attention.
Oh! Thank you for alerting me to this. Ann Grogan retired a couple of years ago and someone must have snapped up the URL. I’ll remove the link!
Hi, my under bust is 76 cm, my waist is 72 cm, and my high hips are like 88 cm. I want to reduce my waist. I’m regular weight, but I think I will lose a little bit of weight, because I’ve always been more slimmer than now. (Sorry for my English) It’s not a problem if there is lace gap. I would like to reduce my waist too much possible, buying only one corset. And I think that if it’s a little bit bigger (not too much) on chest and on hips it’s better, for being more comfortable. The important thing is obviously that it will be small on the waist. Which is the correct size for me? And the springs? Thank you
Hi Laura, my apologies for the very late response, your comment got buried! If you wanted a corset from my site, then I would normally recommend a standard length, hourglass silhouette, underbust corset in size 24″ (laced closed for your current measurements) or size 22″ (if you plan on losing more than about 3-5kg and you know that you shrink in size equally all over and not just from one area of your body). With your current provided measurements, the size 24″ will be comfortable on your ribs and hips (6″ rib spring and 10″ hip spring), and would only reduce the waistline. You can see the styles here.
New to this, and would love some help
Bust 41
Underbust 36
Waste 34
High Hip 49
Low Hip 51
Length between underbust and high hip = 7
Calculator says 25-inches.. is this correct?
Hi Kerleen, a corset size of 25 inches (waist reduction of 28%) is a bit too much if you’re a complete beginner. My guess is you input several things in the calculator like a high level of compressibility, a preference for a lacing gap in the back, and a plan for weight loss at some point. I would recommend something closer to 28 inches for you, but do remember when you’re looking at any size chart for a specific corset, look at the curviness and compare your ribs and hips. If you’d like a personal recommendation from me, please let me know and I’d be happy to email you with specific sizes and styles that will fit your proportions well as well as keep your experience level in mind.
I have a natural hourglass figure:
bust-40
underbust-32
waist-30
upper hip-40
lower hip-42
I’m not looking to make an extreme change, but I want to train down to where I’m 27 or 28 uncorseted.
All the calculators are suggesting 26. Is that right for me? And is it better for me to go with a slim/modern fit because that’s the silhouette that I want or an hourglass fit because that’s what my bones are closer to? I have a short torso.
Hi Marie, because your natural hip spring is 10 inches, I would definitely consider you an hourglass. Most slim silhouette corsets accommodate a hip spring of maybe 6-7 inches, which will pinch your hip bones before your core is ever supported by the corset. (The exception to this would be a slim corset with hip ties, but most styles with hip ties tend to be a little longer – so if you have a torso of less than 9 inches, you will have a hard time sitting down in them).
If you would like to train your waist to be permanently / semi-permanently smaller, you’ll need to cinch your corseted waist to be a little smaller than your desired finished waist measurement, since your body will always “bounce back” by a little bit due to subcutaneous fat and interstitial fluid. So the size 26″ sounds about right based on the context you’ve provided. :)
My underbust measurement is 35”, and my natural waist is 36”, and my upper hip is 41”, and my squished waist is 34”, and my seated torso is 11” so what size underbust corset would I need if I wanted to lose weight and for an overbust corset my bra size is a 38dd
Interesting. I just bought a 22″ (cs-201 from orchard corset – It was their recommendation as my ribcage wouldn’t have filled out the 24″.)
However, my natural waist is 27-28″ and while I actually like the look of a lacing gap, meaning I don’t mind not closing it all the way – after 2 days I still don’t even come near closing it enough to cover the modesty panel – I figure it’s a 5-6″ gap, meaning somehow I am not compressing my waist at all.
Now your calculator recommended me a 22″ as well. But I wonder if I ought to just go with a 24″ until I’ve actually lost the weight, I intend to. (And yup, I read far enough to not select “losing weight” and “like a gap” at the same time. )
First corset.
Patience, or size up?
Hi Karin, thanks for your comment. This calculator is more of a theoretical “how much can your waist squish under the circumstances” rather than which corset specifically would fit you well in that particular size – I am not sure of your rib and hip measurements as well as your torso length, and these will factor into whether a corset is able to close on you. In some poorly-fitted corsets, I am not able to cinch my waist down smaller than 26 inches, while in the right custom corset, I can lace as small as 20 inches!
So you are welcome to go a size up if you otherwise like the corset you have – but you may be able to achieve more of a waist reduction if you try something curvier with a more rounded ribcage, for instance. My Corset Database is always free to use and is being continually updated.
I don’t know if these calculators work? This one told me I should fit into a size 34 but I know for a fact I can easily wear a 32 and it be loose on me. I tried the calculator for the Hourglass and it said I’d have to wear my corset at a /\ so I should try a Gemini. I did the calculator for the Gemini and it told me to buy a size 28. I did. Now I cannot breathe in that thing unless I’m standing up. The 32 hourglass I own fits like a glove but does not give me any reduction when I take it off. Corsetry is such a crazy hobby and takes a lot of getting used to! I’ll find the perfect one some day!!
Hi Janie, the calculator on this page is for beginners looking for a safe and comfortable waist reduction for their first corset. You’ve clearly tried many corsets already so this calculator would not be the most useful for your needs! It sounds like the transition between 32 to 28 is too extreme and you’d be more comfortable in something in a size 30″ – there are corsets available that are in between the curviness of the hourglass and the Gemini if you need something in between. However I only make personalized sizing recommendations if I know your full set of measurements and previous experience. You’re welcome to contact me here: https://lucycorsetry.com/measurements/
Hello, I am a prospective beginner and am a little confused as to the measurements. I have a natural waist for 24″(morning) and 28″(night). I inputted these two measurements and the measurements between which resulted in it recommending me sizes ranging from 21 to 25 inches. As this is the case, how should I go about choosing a size?
Hi Emma, I would probably take the average (26″ waist) and go with a size 22″ corset to be safe. That way you’ll be able to lace it closed on your smaller days, and wear it with a gap when you’re bloated. The next step would be looking at the rib springs, hip springs, and length to find a corset that best matches your proportions and skeletal fram. If you need more help choosing a corset, you can fill in a contact form here: https://lucycorsetry.com/measurements/
my natural waist is 25 and I want it to be 23- 22″, can I get down to 6″ reduction to achieve 23″ naturally?
Hi Dyee, for you I would advise starting with a corset with a size 20″ waistline and training down gradually. If you want to send me your full set of measurements I’d be happy to help you choose something with the silhouette, length etc that will help you achieve your goals. I have a measuring tutorial and contact form here.
Ah, now to just find a longline 26″ corset with an 18″ hip spring and and 13″ rib spring lol.
I’ll probably end up having to have one made in the end.
The joys of being super squishy 😂
Orchard Corset ‘s CS-479 Extreme Curve Underbust has a 9” rib spring and a 16” hip spring. I know that’s still a few inches shy of what you’re looking for, in each measurement. But it might be a place to start.
And I highly recommend Orchard as the perfect compromise between quality and price point.
Wish the calculator could select 60 inch waist.. although i dont think any corsets would fit me that are made. Sad, i really want one.
Hi S, unfortunately I don’t know of any OTR corset companies that accommodate up to 60″ natural waist. The largest I normally see is a size 46″ corset, which is usually recommended for customers with a natural waist of up to 56″. Although there is nothing stopping you from buying a size 46″ corset and wearing it with a larger lacing gap in the back! Some of my colleagues say that a lacing gap of up to 10% of your natural waist is fine in a corset – so if you wear a corset with a 6-inch lacing gap, it might still fit and feel fine on the body. Here is a selection of corsets in my sister site, Corset Database, that are sometimes available in size 46″ and very occasionally 48″.
Here is also a link to some custom corset makers who specialize in plus size corsets.