22 Inch Waist Size

Waist circumference is a universal clothing size, fitness, and general health measurement. Often, smaller is considered better for waist size.

And you may wonder if a 22-inch waist is a reasonable target. So this article sheds light on the probability of various waist sizes.

22 Inch Waist Woman

What is a 22-Inch Waist?

A 22-inch waist is a circumference measurement around the abdomen. And you can use this number for everything from buying clothing to assessing your risk for health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

But it’s critical to measure your waist correctly to know if it really is 22 inches around.

How to Measure Your Waist

To check your waist size, you will need a flexible tape measure. First, wrap the tape measure around your waist parallel to the floor just above your hip bone.

Now pull the tape snug but not so tight that it indents into your skin. Also, take the reading at the end of a normal exhale but do not suck in your stomach. The number where the end of the tape intersects is your waist size.

22 Inch Waist Measurement

Is a 22-Inch Waist Skinny?

Generally speaking, a 22-inch waist is very small. And most people would consider this a skinny waist size. That said, whether your waist looks small depends on your overall body size and proportions.

In addition, having a slim waist doesn’t automatically make you healthy. So it would be best to consider other diet and lifestyle factors as well.

How Likely Are You to Have a 22-Inch Waist?

The likelihood of a 22-inch waist depends on your body shape and overall fitness. For example, a 22-inch waistline is more likely for women with a smaller frame who exercise regularly.

For males, it’s basically impossible except for young children. To illustrate, let’s look at some waist size statistics for men and women.

22-Inch Waist for Women

The average waist size for American women is 35.6 inches. That means a 22-inch waist is more than a foot smaller than usual. And your waist would be smaller than 99.9% of the female population.

However, it’s important to remember that 3 out of 4 adult women in the US are overweight or obese. So does that mean a 22-inch waist is more attainable among a fit population?

A survey of women in the US Army, who are generally more fit, shows that their average waist size is 28.2 inches. And a 22-inch waist would still put you below the 1st percentile.

In fact, out of 2,208 women measured for this survey, the minimum was 22.36″. And only women three had a waist size of 23 inches or less. That means a 22-inch waist is very rare, even among active women.

Table 1. 22 Inch Waist for Women

  Normal Fitness
1st 25.4 23.9
5th 27.8 25.1
10th 28.9 25.7
15th 30.0 26.1
20th 30.7 26.5
25th 31.6 26.8
40th 33.9 27.7
50th 35.6 28.2
60th 37.2 28.9
75th 40.3 30.0
80th 41.5 30.5
85th 42.8 31.1
90th 44.7 31.9
95th 47.6 33.2
99th 53.8 35.8

22-Inch Waist for Men

If only about 1 in every 2,000 women has a 22-inch waist, then it must be almost impossible for adult men. Especially considering the average waist size for an American man is 38.2 inches!

Even among military men, the average waist size is 32.8 inches. And the smallest waist size measured out of 1,774 males was 25.47″. So that pretty much eliminates the possibility of an adult man with a 22-inch waist.

Table 2. 22 Inch Waist for Men

  Normal Fitness
1st 27.8 27.5
5th 30.0 28.7
10th 31.6 29.5
15th 32.8 30.0
20th 33.9 30.5
25th 34.8 31.0
40th 36.9 32.1
50th 38.2 32.8
60th 39.6 33.6
75th 42.2 35.0
80th 43.4 35.5
85th 44.8 36.2
90th 46.4 37.0
95th 49.5 38.2
99th 56.2 40.5

22 Inch Waist FAQ

Now you know how small a 22-inch waist is for men and women. But you might have more questions about this topic. So here are some quick answers to common queries.

What size is a 22-inch waist?

A 22-inch waist typically corresponds to a US dress size of 00, about 28 in Euro sizes. Additionally, this waist circumference should put you in an international size XXS for women’s clothing.

What pants size is a 22-inch waist?

A waist size of 22 inches generally corresponds to a pant size of 21-22 for women. So your jeans size doesn’t always reflect your actual waist size.

One reason for this is how you wear your pants. For example, the measurement site for waist circumference may be smaller than the circumference around your hips at your beltline.

In addition, your actual waist size may not reflect your pant size due to your body proportions. For instance, you may need to size up if you have thicker thighs or a bigger butt.

22 Inch Waist Female

Is a 22-inch waist good for a woman?

For women, a 22-inch waist is roughly 14″ smaller than the average female’s. So this would be a lofty target if you’re starting from average size and weight.

At the same time, a waist size of 22 inches is not unheard of among women who exercise regularly. So if your goal is to be in elite shape, you could potentially achieve this measurement.

In addition, your ideal waist size depends on your body type and height. For instance, a 22″ waist would be more attainable for a petite or naturally thin woman.

Does Waist Training Work?

Videos and images of tiny-waisted models might make you think that “waist training” is the secret to an hourglass figure. This trend involves wearing corsets, slimming garments, or sweat belts to reduce your waistline.

But do these tricks really work, or is it just a clever marketing ploy to sell garments and goops? Check out my in-depth review of the Sweet Sweat Waist Trimmer to find out if it’s worth your time and money!

22 Inch Waist Trimmer

Waist Size and Body Type

Your waist circumference can be affected by your body type. For example, the ectomorph body type has straighter lines and a naturally smaller waist. By comparison, the endomorph body type has more curves and a thicker waist.

As a result, it’s vital to use specific diet and workout strategies to reduce your waist size based on your body type.

Next Step: Take My Free Body Type Quiz

22 Inch Waist Body Type

More Waist & Body Size Statistics

If you found this waist size information useful, you’ll definitely be interested in these related body measurement articles.

Average Wrist Size for Men & Women

Average Neck Size & Health Implications

20 Inch Thighs for Men & Women

Is a 27 Inch Waist Healthy?

What a 20 Inch Waist Looks Like

Check out these additional articles for even more helpful tips on nutrition, supplements, and workouts to reach your fitness goals faster.

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By |January 27, 2023|Bodybuilding|0 Comments
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