How to Choose Dance Tights Size Chart?

For the full breakdown, see our best Dance Tights guide.

Picking the right dance tights size comes down to one thing: reading the brand’s own size chart instead of guessing from your street clothes. Most dancewear companies size tights by height and weight bands, though a few use body measurements like bust, waist, and hips. The good news is that once you know which method applies to your tights, the choice is usually straightforward.

Why Dance Tights Sizing Varies By Brand

Dance tights don’t follow universal sizing. Bloch, So Danca, and Silky Dance each publish their own charts, and the same letter size can mean different measurements across brands. A Medium in one line might fit like a Large in another.

The reason comes down to fabric and fit philosophy. Tights are meant to hug the leg without sagging or bunching, so brands design their size bands around height (to get the length right) and weight (to get the stretch right). Some also factor in hip and girth measurements for a more tailored fit.

Because of this variation, the only reliable method is to pull up the size chart on the exact product page you’re buying from. What worked for your last pair may not transfer to a different brand or even a different model line within the same brand.

Height and Weight Charts For Adult Tights

Most adult tights use a simple height-and-weight matrix. Here’s how three major brands break it down.

Notice how the bands overlap between sizes. If you land in an overlap zone, the general guidance is to size down for a snugger fit or size up for a more forgiving one. Most dancers prefer a firm fit so the tights stay put through a full class.

When you’re checking your measurements, stick to one unit system. Several charts are published in both imperial and metric, and mixing them will put you in the wrong size. If a chart lists 5’4″ but you measured in centimeters, convert first.

Child Tights and Bodywear Charts

Kids’ tights are often sized by height alone, which makes them easier to buy. Silky Dance child tights use bands like 3–5 for 3’2″–3’8″ and 7–9 for 4’1″–4’6″. So Danca kids tights combine height and weight: T/S fits 2’8″–4’2″ and 25–75 lb, while M/L fits 3’6″–5’2″ and 55–95 lb.

Here’s a critical distinction: dance retailers frequently publish separate charts for tights and for leotards or bodywear. A leotard chart uses bust, waist, hips, and girth — for example, a Small might be bust 31–34, waist 24–26, hips 32–34, and girth 55–57. Do not use that chart for tights. The two garments fit completely differently, and the same dancer may need a Small leotard but a Medium tight.

Also keep adult and child charts separate. A parent comparing their child’s height against an adult chart will get a wildly wrong answer. Stick to the age-specific chart for the product you’re buying.

Measuring Correctly and Avoiding Common Mistakes

Take your measurements fresh rather than guessing. For height-and-weight charts, a recent weigh-in and a barefoot height check are all you need. For bodywear charts that use girth, run the tape from the shoulder, down the front, between the legs, and back up to the starting point — that’s the girth number.

The biggest mistake dancers make is assuming their street size translates. A size 6 jean tells you nothing about tights, since dancewear sizing is built around performance stretch, not casual fit. The same logic means you should check each product line separately, because Bloch’s tights chart may not match its own leotard chart.

Bloch’s official guidance confirms this approach, and Danskin and Capezio publish similar product-specific charts for their lines. When in doubt between two sizes, consider how you’ll wear the tights: rehearsal-heavy use favors the more generous size for comfort, while performance wear usually calls for the snugger fit.