Saddle width · a practical starting point
How wide should your saddle be?
Start with your sit bones
Example measurements. Adjust or confirm every measurement before using this as your own result.
Measure centre-to-centre between the two deepest impressions.
Measure with cardboard or foil
- Place cardboard or foil on a hard, flat chair.
- Sit down and press your sit bones into the material.
- Measure centre-to-centre between the impressions.
Optional. Only enter what you know about your own bike.
How do you usually ride?
Choose your posture
- Example starting width
- 147mm
- XS
- Sadjacent
- Mstart
- Ladjacent
- XL
- XXL
Schematic view. Width and contact spacing follow your inputs; this is not a recommendation for a specific saddle shape.
- Direct sit-bone measurement
- 125mm
Input confidence
Confidence applies to the example calculation, not to your own measurements yet.
Saddle family
Endurance / all-road
Shape starting points
- Traditional nose
- Moderate wave
- Full shell support may be sufficient
- Medium padding
Adjust in this order
- Measure your sit-bone distance and choose your usual posture.
- Test the width; also check shape, pressure and chafing.
- Then check saddle height, tilt and setback.
Free account
Make this advice more personal
Save your sit-bone measurement so every saddle recommendation can take it into account.
- Your details stay saved. No need to enter them again, even in other calculators.
- A narrower range. Your own sit-bone measurement starts the advice with your dimensions.
- Your next step is ready. Check your saddle height too.
These details go with you to your account
Nothing entered yet. Move a slider or choose an option; only what you enter goes with you.
Save my details · free accountYour entered values go with you; there is no need to enter them again. No account? Your result above stays available.
Your entered details are only remembered for this browser session.
Example starting width
147 mm
The short answer
Start with your sit-bone width and riding posture. In the example below, the calculator gives a starting width of 147 mm and a range of 142–152 mm.
How we calculate
The calculator uses your measured sit-bone width or estimates it from height, weight and hip circumference. Posture and riding type adjust the support width. The tool then selects a practical width range.
What this cannot tell you
This is a starting point for comparing saddles, not a comfort guarantee. Shape, cutout, tilt and position also matter. Body measurements are not a direct sit-bone measurement.
Worked example
An example with fixed inputs. Use the calculator for your own details.
Input
- Input method
- Measured
- Sit-bone width
- 125 mm
- Riding type
- Endurance road
- Posture
- Balanced
Calculated result
- Starting width
- 147 mm
- Width range
- 142–152 mm
Common mistakes
- Measuring between the outer edges instead of the centres of the impressions.
- Entering an estimated sit-bone width as measured.
- Considering width alone and overlooking shape or saddle position.
Why this builds trust
A practical starting point without fake precision
The tool deliberately uses width ranges, clear assumptions, and an explicit confidence score.
Anatomy first, not just size labels
The recommendation starts from sit-bone width because that is the strongest anatomical predictor. Riding posture and bike category refine it from there.
Two input paths, honest about accuracy
If you have a direct sit-bone measurement, use it. If not, the body-data estimate gives a useful starting range, with clearly lower confidence.
Width is the start, not the end
Saddle comfort also depends on shape, nose type, and tilt. The dashboard version combines all of these into a complete recommendation.
What's next?
Refine the result in your account
Create a free account to include symptoms, current saddle position, and riding profile in a more complete saddle analysis.
FAQ
Short answers to the key measuring and interpretation questions.
How do I measure my sit-bone width at home?
Place corrugated cardboard or kitchen foil on a hard chair. Sit normally for 30 seconds, stand up carefully, and measure the center-to-center distance between the two deepest indentations.
Can saddle width alone solve numbness?
Width matters, but tilt and setback are often equally important. A nose-down tilt concentrates pressure centrally even on a correctly sized saddle. If your current saddle width is near the recommendation but you still have numbness, check tilt first.
Why does my posture affect the saddle width recommendation?
More aggressive positions rotate the pelvis forward, which shifts where the sit bones contact the saddle. An upright rider typically needs more rear support than a race rider with the same sit-bone measurement.
Explore more
Related tools and guides
Keep going with related guides and calculators that build on what you just learned.