How to Measure for a Bisht in Inches

To measure for a bisht you need three measurements in inches from a thobe that fits you well: back width from shoulder seam to shoulder seam, sleeve length from start to end, and thobe length taken separately at the front and the back.

Illustration showing how to measure back width, sleeve length and thobe length in inches

What you need before you start

A tailor's tape measure marked in inches.

A thobe that fits you well, neither tight nor loose.

Someone to help you measure while you stand wearing the thobe.

1. Back width

From behind, measure the distance between the right and left shoulder seams.

2. Sleeve length

Measure from the start of the sleeve at the shoulder seam to the end of the sleeve.

3. Thobe length (front and back)

Measure from the top of the shoulder to the hem at the front, then repeat at the back. The two can differ, and the Precise Calculator works out the khabn for each side.

Have a measurement sheet from your tailor?

It usually lists the length, shoulder and sleeve. If the numbers are in centimeters (such as a length of 150 or a shoulder of 46), convert them using the cm to inch converter. If only one length is listed, enter it for both front and back, or ask your tailor for the back length.

What Mqasy calculates for you

Your bisht size (the main size) from sleeve length and back width.

Your khabn (bisht length), which in Mqasy is your thobe length plus one inch.

Your thobe circumference from sleeve to sleeve.

It also tells you if your size needs custom tailoring, such as very broad shoulders or kids' sizes.

Common mistakes to avoid

Entering a centimeter measurement in an inch field.

Measuring a thobe that is too loose or too tight on you.

Measuring the front length and forgetting the back.

Calculate with the Precise Calculator No tape measure? Use the size chart

Frequently Asked Questions

What unit is a bisht measured in?

Bisht measurements are taken in inches. If yours are in centimeters, divide by 2.54 to convert them to inches.

Should I measure my body or my thobe?

It is best to measure a thobe that fits you well, since that is what the Mqasy Precise Calculator is based on.

How much longer is the khabn than the thobe?

In Mqasy, the khabn equals your thobe length plus one inch, calculated separately for the front and the back.