Rise Adjustment Calculator — Trouser Rise

Front rise: measure from the centre front waistband, through the crotch seam, to the centre back waistband — the front half of this measurement is the front rise. Back rise is the back half. Alternatively, measure on a flat pair of trousers that fit well.

These are rough guides — always measure a pair that fits you. A mid-rise front rise is roughly 22-27cm for women and 26-30cm for men; low rise is around 20-23cm and high rise around 28-35cm. Ready-to-wear "mid-rise" jeans are often described as up to about 9.5in (24cm) front rise (ilovejeans.com), and women’s high-waist front crotch depth runs ~23-28cm (SewGuide). The front rise should allow comfortable sitting without the waistband digging in or the crotch pulling.

The lower torso is deeper at the back than the front, so the back rise is longer to clear the seat. For tailored trousers the back rise is usually ~3-6cm longer than the front; for jeans and casual trousers it is commonly ~5-10cm (2-4in) longer (SewGuide body-rise guide; high-waist charts give front ~23-28cm vs back ~30-36cm). Too little back rise pulls the trousers down at the back when you sit. Increasing back rise improves seated comfort.

Adding rise to existing trousers is difficult. You can add a wider waistband or move the waistband up. For shortening, lower the waistband or take a deeper seam at the crotch curve. Significant changes are best on a pattern.