I have a 36" waist and was concerned that the belt would be a little short 'under 40' so I went for a 44" belt. Unfortunately, this measurement has to be fairly accurate. I have about an 8" overhang after the buckle. Plenty of room to grow I think :) I can trim off the excess but then I could lose the finished end if it can't be reattached to the new trimmed end. I won't mess with it it fits nice and flat and the elastic closure to hold the end works perfectly nice and neat I wear it every day for a week no problems and will buy again.