Rise is in regard to the waistline and how hi it is. Example: High waisted pants go on your waistline ( think 1960) Low rise is usually below the belly button Ultra low is on the hip ( think fridge raptor repairman?) So it's usually anywhere from 12"-6" (center of crotch to waistline (top of pant)--think button to crotch 29 way too sHort for me