Skirt lengths run from micro mini (around 30 cm) to floor length maxi (over 100 cm), with a knee length skirt typically measuring 55 to 60 cm from waist to hem and finishing at or just below the kneecap. Length is the single biggest factor in how a skirt looks and where you can wear it. This guide breaks down every skirt length with exact measurements in cm and inches, plus how to choose and measure the right one for your height.
Table of Contents
- Skirt Length Chart (cm and Inches)
- Mini and Micro Mini
- Above the Knee (Short)
- Knee Length
- Midi
- Maxi and Floor Length
- How to Measure Skirt Length
- Which Length for Your Height
- FAQ
Skirt Length Chart (cm and Inches)
Measurements below are taken from the natural waist to the hem, based on an average UK height of 5ft 4in (163 cm). Taller or shorter frames shift where each hem actually lands, which we cover further down.
| Skirt length | Length in cm | Length in inches | Where the hem falls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micro mini | 30 to 35 cm | 12 to 14 in | Upper thigh |
| Mini | 35 to 45 cm | 14 to 18 in | Mid thigh |
| Above the knee (short) | 45 to 55 cm | 18 to 22 in | 2 to 5 cm above the knee |
| Knee length | 55 to 60 cm | 22 to 24 in | At or just below the kneecap |
| Below the knee | 60 to 65 cm | 24 to 26 in | Top of the calf |
| Midi | 65 to 85 cm | 26 to 33 in | Mid calf |
| Maxi | 85 to 100 cm | 33 to 39 in | Ankle |
| Floor length | 100 cm and over | 39 in and over | Touching the floor |
Mini and Micro Mini
A mini skirt ends at mid thigh, roughly 35 to 45 cm from the waist. The micro mini goes shorter still and is best left to nights out and festival wardrobes. The mini is the length of confidence: it shows the most leg, so the rest of the outfit works best kept simple. In the UK climate, minis live happily with opaque tights and boots for eight months of the year. Explore cuts from pleated to denim in the mini skirt collection.
Above the Knee (Short)
Sitting 2 to 5 cm above the kneecap, the short skirt is the everyday compromise between a mini and a knee length. You get the leg lengthening effect of a shorter hem with none of the sitting down anxiety. It is the ideal length for casual offices, weekend plans and anyone easing into shorter styles. Browse the short skirt collection for high waisted versions that flatter most.
Knee Length
A knee length skirt measures 55 to 60 cm (22 to 24 inches) from the natural waist and finishes at or just below the kneecap. If you only remember one number from this guide, it is that one. The knee length is the most requested measurement in skirt shopping because it is the universal smart length: appropriate for every office, every ceremony and every age. It flatters because it ends at the narrowest point of the leg, right where the knee meets the calf.
The classic knee length silhouettes are the pencil skirt and the A-line skirt, both staples of our work skirt collection. One styling note: a hem that stops exactly mid knee can visually cut the leg, so when in doubt choose just below the kneecap rather than right on it.
Midi
The midi skirt runs from 65 to 85 cm and lands anywhere between the top of the calf and mid calf. It has been the defining length of the last decade, from bias cut satin to sharp pleats. The midi is beloved because it is smart without effort and modest without being frumpy, provided you keep proportions in check: fitted or tucked in on top, and a shoe with some presence (boots, heels, chunky trainers) so the hem does not shorten your leg line. See the full midi skirt collection.
Maxi and Floor Length
A maxi skirt measures 85 to 100 cm and grazes the ankle, while floor length styles go beyond 100 cm and touch the ground. This is the length of summer holidays, boho layering and elegant evening looks. The practical difference matters: an ankle grazing maxi works with flats and trainers, whereas a true floor length usually needs a heel to avoid trailing. Discover both in the maxi skirt collection and the long skirt collection.
How to Measure Skirt Length
To measure a skirt you own, lay it flat and run a tape measure from the top of the waistband straight down to the hem. To measure yourself for a target length, stand straight and measure from your natural waist (the crease when you bend sideways) down to where you want the hem to finish: mid thigh, kneecap, mid calf or ankle.
Two details catch people out. First, high waisted skirts add 5 to 8 cm to the stated length without lowering the hem, because the extra fabric sits above your natural waist. Second, fabrics with drape, like satin or jersey, can lengthen slightly with wear, while stiff cottons hold their measurement exactly.
Which Length for Your Height
Every measurement in the chart assumes an average height of 163 cm. If you are petite (under 160 cm), a standard midi can land as a maxi on you: look for hems that finish at the narrowest part of your calf, not the widest, and favour high waists to keep the leg line long. If you are tall (over 175 cm), standard minis run shorter and midis can land above the calf, so knee length and maxi styles often give the intended silhouette straight off the rail.
The one rule that works at every height: aim for hems that end at a narrow point of your leg (just below the knee, the slimmest part of the calf, or the ankle) rather than a wide one. For a full tour of the cuts each length comes in, read our complete guide to types of skirts.
FAQ
What length is a knee length skirt?
A knee length skirt measures approximately 55 to 60 cm (22 to 24 inches) from the natural waist to the hem on an average height, finishing at or just below the kneecap. On petite frames the same skirt lands slightly lower, and on tall frames slightly higher.
What are the different skirt lengths in order?
From shortest to longest: micro mini, mini, above the knee (short), knee length, below the knee, midi, maxi and floor length. The most worn lengths in the UK are the midi for work and the mini and maxi for casual wear.
Is a midi skirt the same as knee length?
No. A knee length skirt finishes at the kneecap (55 to 60 cm), while a midi skirt is longer and falls at mid calf (65 to 85 cm). The gap between them, just below the knee, is sometimes called tea length on fuller occasion skirts.
What is the most flattering skirt length?
Just below the knee and mid calf are the most universally flattering skirt lengths because they finish at naturally narrow points of the leg. The least forgiving spot is mid knee or the widest part of the calf, which can visually shorten the leg.
How do I know my skirt length size?
Measure from your natural waist straight down to where you want the hem to sit: mid thigh for a mini, the kneecap for knee length, mid calf for a midi and the ankle for a maxi. Compare that number with the garment length listed on the product page.