Men's work pants in Australia are sized by waist in centimetres, followed by a letter for leg length. So 87R means an 87 cm waist with a Regular leg, 107R a 107 cm waist and 112R a 112 cm waist. Women's work pants use dress sizes, from 6 to 24 in most ranges.
The waist number means the same thing at every brand. The leg length does not, so two pairs of 87R can be a few centimetres different in length. This guide explains the labels, gives each brand's published size chart, and shows you how to measure so you order the right size first time.
Pants are the first of the workwear essentials every tradie needs.
Quick answers: 87R, 107R and 112R
What size is 87R?
87R is a men's work pant for an 87 cm waist (about 34 inches) with a Regular leg. The inside leg is 83 cm on KingGee and Hard Yakka, 82 cm on Bisley and 79 cm on DNC. Hard Yakka lists 87R as the same as a size L.
What is a 107R pants size?
107R is a men's work pant for a 107 cm waist (about 42 inches) with a Regular leg. The inside leg is 83 cm on KingGee and Hard Yakka, 86 cm on Bisley and 85 cm on DNC. Hard Yakka lists 107R as the same as a size 4XL.
What is a 112R pants size?
112R is a men's work pant for a 112 cm waist (about 44 inches) with a Regular leg. The inside leg is 83 cm on KingGee and Hard Yakka and 88 cm on Bisley. Hard Yakka lists 112R as the same as a size 5XL.
How do work trouser sizes work?
The number is your waist in cm and the letter is the leg: R for Regular, S for Stout (shorter leg) and L for Long. Sizes go up in 5 cm steps: 77, 82, 87, 92, 97 and so on.
How work pants sizes work
Every work pant label has two parts.
- The number is the waist in centimetres. A 92 fits a 92 cm waist.
- The letter is the leg length. R is Regular, S is Stout (the same waist with a shorter leg) and L is Long (a longer leg for tall, slim builds).
If you measure between two sizes, for example 89 cm, take the larger size (92) and wear a belt. Work pants need room to crouch and climb.
Some brands print the number without a letter. For example, the Syzmik ZP980 is sized 72 to 132. The number is still the waist in cm.
Work pants size chart
Men's Regular sizes, with the waist in inches and Hard Yakka's letter size for each.
| Size | Waist (cm) | Waist (inches) | Letter size (Hard Yakka) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67R | 67 cm | 26 in | – |
| 72R | 72 cm | 28 in | – |
| 77R | 77 cm | 30 in | S |
| 82R | 82 cm | 32 in | M |
| 87R | 87 cm | 34 in | L |
| 92R | 92 cm | 36 in | XL |
| 97R | 97 cm | 38 in | 2XL |
| 102R | 102 cm | 40 in | 3XL |
| 107R | 107 cm | 42 in | 4XL |
| 112R | 112 cm | 44 in | 5XL |
| 117R | 117 cm | 46 in | 6XL |
| 122R | 122 cm | 48 in | 7XL |
| 127R | 127 cm | 50 in | – |
Inches are rounded from cm. Hard Yakka does not give a letter size for 67R, 72R or 127R. Stout sizes use the same waist numbers (87S fits an 87 cm waist) and go up to 132S or 152S depending on the brand.
Regular, stout or long?
Pick the leg by measuring your inside leg and comparing it with the brand's figure for your waist size.
| Size | KingGee | Hard Yakka | Bisley | DNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 77R | 83 cm | 83 cm | 80 cm | 74 cm |
| 87R | 83 cm | 83 cm | 82 cm | 79 cm |
| 97R | 83 cm | 83 cm | 84 cm | 83 cm |
| 107R | 83 cm | 83 cm | 86 cm | 85 cm |
| 112R | 83 cm | 83 cm | 88 cm | – |
| 87S | 78 cm | 78 cm | 78 cm | 69 cm |
| 107S | 78 cm | 78 cm | 82 cm | 79 cm |
| 89L | 88 cm | 88 cm | 87 cm | 85 cm |
Inside leg as published by each brand. KingGee and Hard Yakka use one leg length per fit. Bisley and DNC make the leg longer as the waist goes up.
- Regular if your inside leg is close to the Regular figure.
- Stout if your leg is shorter than Regular. Stout is also called Short.
- Long if your leg is longer and your waist is 94 cm or under. Long sizes only come in 74L, 79L, 84L, 89L and 94L.
Brand size charts
Hard Yakka and KingGee
Both brands publish the same pants measurements. The waist matches the size number and the inside leg is fixed for each fit.
| Fit | Sizes | Inside leg |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | 67R to 127R | 83 cm |
| Stout (Short) | 87S to 152S | 78 cm |
| Long | 74L to 94L | 88 cm |
For example, the Hard Yakka Y02575 cargo drill pant and the KingGee K53008 stretch denim jean.
Bisley
From Bisley's published pant spec sheets. We use it as the guide for Bisley pants such as the Bisley BP6007T.
| Size | 77R | 82R | 87R | 92R | 97R | 102R | 107R | 112R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside leg (cm) | 80 | 82 | 82 | 84 | 84 | 86 | 86 | 88 |
| Size | 87S | 92S | 97S | 102S | 107S | 112S | 117S | 122S | 127S | 132S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside leg (cm) | 78 | 80 | 80 | 82 | 82 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 | 84 |
| Size | 74L | 79L | 84L | 89L | 94L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside leg (cm) | 85 | 85 | 87 | 87 | 88 |
DNC
From DNC Workwear's size chart. It applies to pants such as the DNC 3314 drill pant.
| Size | 72R | 77R | 82R | 87R | 92R | 97R | 102R | 107R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside leg (cm) | 71 | 74 | 77 | 79 | 82 | 83 | 84 | 85 |
| Size | 87S | 92S | 97S | 102S | 107S | 112S | 117S | 122S | 127S | 132S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside leg (cm) | 69 | 72 | 74 | 77 | 79 | 80 | 80 | 82 | 83 | 83 |
| Size | 74L | 79L | 84L | 89L | 94L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside leg (cm) | 79 | 80 | 83 | 85 | 87 |
DNC's chart stops at 107R. Some DNC pants, such as the 3363, are made in 112R, so ask us for the measurement before ordering that size.
Syzmik
Syzmik doesn't publish a separate pants chart. Its pants are sized by waist in cm (72 to 132), and some styles also come in a stout version, such as the ZP904S (87S to 132S).
Women's work pants sizes
Women's work pants use dress sizes and are cut with more room through the hip. Check the brand's chart, because the same size number fits a different waist at different brands.
| Size | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KingGee / Hard Yakka waist (cm) | 62 | 67 | 72 | 77 | 82 | 87 | 95 | 103 | 108 | 113 |
| KingGee / Hard Yakka hip (cm) | 88 | 93 | 98 | 103 | 108 | 113 | 121 | 129 | 134 | 139 |
| DNC waist (cm) | 57 | 62 | 67 | 72 | 77 | 82 | 87 | 92 | 97 | 102 |
| DNC hip (cm) | 87 | 92 | 97 | 102 | 107 | 112 | 117 | 122 | 127 | 132 |
For example, a 77 cm waist is a size 12 at KingGee or Hard Yakka but a size 14 at DNC.
Shop women's work pants.
Read more about how our women's cargo work pants are cut.
How to measure for work pants
You need a soft tape measure and two measurements.
- Waist: measure around your natural waistline with the tape level. Don't measure over pants or a belt. That number in cm is your size.
- Inside leg: stand straight and measure from the crotch down the inside of your leg to the top of the shoe heel. Compare it with the brand's figure to choose Regular, Stout or Long.
Ordering for a team? Order one of each likely size first so people can try them on, then place the full order.
Sizing hi-vis and taped pants
On hi-vis and taped pants, the reflective tape sits at a set height on the lower leg, so the right length matters more.
- Too long and the leg bunches over your boot and folds the tape, which stops it reflecting.
- Don't cut the hem on taped pants. Choose a stout size instead, so the tape stays where it was designed to be.
Read more in our guide to Australian hi-vis workwear standards.
For site work, see our women's hi-vis workwear picks.
Work pants by size range
Pants we stock with a wide range of sizes.
| Product | Sizes | From |
|---|---|---|
| Hard Yakka Taped Drill Pants Y02540 | 72R–112R, 87S–132S, 79L–94L | $41.99 |
| DNC Hi Vis Cotton Drill Pants 3314 | 72R–107R, 87S–132S, 74L–94L | $43.99 |
| Bisley Hi Vis 3M Taped Original Work Pants BP6007T | 77R–112R, 87S–132S, 74L–94L | $46.99 |
| DNC Hi Vis 2-Tone Bio-Motion Taped Cargo Pants 3363 | 72R–112R, 87S–132S | $51.99 |
| Hard Yakka 3056 Stretch Canvas Taped Cargo Pants Y02855 | 77R–112R, 87S–132S | $83.99 |
| Syzmik Bio Motion Hi Vis Taped Pants ZP980 | 72–132 | $49.99 |
| Syzmik Rugged Cooling Taped Pants (Stout) ZP904S | 87S–132S | $59.99 |
| Syzmik Women's Essential Taped Cargo Pants ZP733 | 4–24 | $51.99 |
| Hard Yakka Women's Cargo Taped Drill Pants Y08380 | 6–24 | $49.99 |
Prices as listed on 4 November 2026. See all workwear pants, men's work pants, cargo work pants, stretch work pants and hi-vis pants. For shorts, see our work shorts guide.
Common questions
What size is 87R in work pants?
87R fits an 87 cm waist, about 34 inches, with a Regular leg. The inside leg is 83 cm on KingGee and Hard Yakka, 82 cm on Bisley and 79 cm on DNC. Hard Yakka lists it as the same as a size L.
What is a 107R pants size?
107R fits a 107 cm waist, about 42 inches, with a Regular leg. The inside leg is 83 cm on KingGee and Hard Yakka, 86 cm on Bisley and 85 cm on DNC. Hard Yakka lists it as the same as a size 4XL.
What is a 112R pants size?
112R fits a 112 cm waist, about 44 inches, with a Regular leg. The inside leg is 83 cm on KingGee and Hard Yakka and 88 cm on Bisley. Hard Yakka lists it as the same as a size 5XL.
What do R, S and L mean on work pants?
They are leg lengths. R is Regular, S is Stout (the same waist with a shorter leg) and L is Long (a longer leg for waists from 74 to 94 cm).
What does stout mean in pants sizes?
Stout means the same waist with a shorter leg. On KingGee and Hard Yakka pants the stout inside leg is 78 cm, compared with 83 cm for Regular.
Is 87R a 34 inch waist?
Yes. 87 cm is about 34 inches, and Bisley lists its 87R as a 34 inch waist.
How do I measure my waist for work pants?
Measure around your natural waistline with a soft tape held level, not over pants or a belt. The number in cm is your size, so an 87 cm waist is an 87R or 87S.
Are work pants sizes the same across brands?
The waist sizes are the same, but leg lengths differ. An 87R has an 83 cm inside leg at KingGee and Hard Yakka, 82 cm at Bisley and 79 cm at DNC.
What size are women's work pants?
Women's work pants use dress sizes, 6 to 24 in most ranges. At KingGee and Hard Yakka a size 12 fits a 77 cm waist. DNC sizes are 5 cm smaller at the waist.
Can I shorten hi-vis pants with reflective tape?
It's better to choose a stout size. Shortening the hem can cut or cover the reflective tape on the lower leg.
Sources
- KingGee size guide
- Hard Yakka size guide
- Bisley pant spec sheet (BPC6007T)
- DNC Workwear size chart
- Syzmik size guide
Some styles have their own measurements. If a product page shows a size chart, use that one.
Need help choosing a size?
Send us your waist and inside leg measurements and we'll recommend a size in the style you want. Email info@metroworkwear.com.au or browse workwear pants.
