Levi's · 501 CT · From early 2015
The 501 CT came out in early 2015, and CT stands for customized and tapered. Levi's built it after finding that tapering was the most requested jean alteration after hemming, with plenty of people paying a tailor to slim the leg on their 501s. So the CT keeps the 501's button fly and seat and narrows the leg below the knee. Chief product officer Karyn Hillman, who'd been having her own vintage 501s tapered since her Berkeley days, said you could wear it undersized and slim or loose and borrowed from him. In 2016 Levi's even sold two washed, non-selvedge 501 CTs made in Japan. It's a modern jean, so buy it to wear and don't pay a vintage premium. Used pairs are everywhere. Insist on clear photos of the labels and the leg, because a regular 501 that someone tapered can look much the same.
Date it from the photos
If you’ll wear it
Buy it if you like the 501 seat but want a slimmer leg. Used pairs are plentiful, so wait for the right measurements.
The 501 CT is a modern washed jean, so it's sold close to its real size. Get the waist measured flat and doubled, the inseam, the thigh and the leg opening, because the taper is the whole point and it varies with size.
New to measuring old denim? Our measuring guide shows where to put the tape.
Measurements first, then the details
Most used 501 CTs are washed and lightly worn, so look for thigh wear, knee blowouts on distressed finishes and frayed hems. Check the crotch, which thins first on a slimmer cut.
Buying guide
For a 501 CT to wear, we'd take the dark wash 33x34 at $40 with free shipping, Buy It Now. There are at least 179 for sale, all from US sellers in our sample, and most ask $30–50 delivered, so don't pay a vintage premium for a jean Levi's has made since 2015. The taper is the point, so ask for the leg opening and thigh laid flat along with the waist measured flat and doubled and the inseam, and compare the opening with a regular 501 in your size, since a regular 501 someone had tapered can look much the same. A few listings here are W25 or W26, so check the waist before anything else. eBay's search cards don't show seller feedback for these, so check it on the item page.
$23.85est. delivered
The lowest delivered CT here, a faded 36x30 the title says was measured, Buy It Now. It's listed as distressed, so check the knees and crotch in the photos.
mens levi's 501 ct button fly jeans 36x30 measured pre-owned med faded distress
$48.54est. delivered
Titled White Oak Cone denim with the product code 18173-0072, in a common W32 L32 mid-band. Ask for the care label to check that code agrees with the size and finish.
Levis 501 CT White Oak Cone Denim Mens Tapered Jeans Blue 18173-0072 W32 L32
$39.99delivered
A dark wash 33x34 titled Customized Tapered, with free shipping. Ask for the leg opening laid flat to confirm the taper.
Levis 501 CT Customized Tapered Jeans Button Fly Dark Wash Mens Size 33x34
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 11, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$23.85est. delivered
$18.85 + $5.00 shipping
Buy It Now$18.85
Good buy
Measured 36x30, faded, distressed. Cheapest here.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$48.54est. delivered
$39.59 + $8.95 shipping
Buy It Now$39.59
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Good buy
Titled White Oak Cone denim, 18173-0072, W32 L32.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$39.99delivered
$39.99 · free shipping
Buy It Now$39.99
Good buy
Dark wash, 33x34. Ships free.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$40.68est. delivered
$35.00 + $5.68 shipping
Buy It Now$35.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
W25, light wash, distressed. Check the size.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$41.02est. delivered
$34.99 + $6.03 shipping
Buy It Now$34.99
Our take
Blue dyed, 34x32.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$42.00delivered
$42.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$42.00
Our take
The title gives only 30x30. Ask for the labels and the leg opening.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$44.84est. delivered
$29.99 + $14.85 shipping
Buy It Now$29.99
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Actual 32x26 (tag 30x32). Short inseam.
Seller: Seller on eBay
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Used$74.99est. delivered
$65.00 + $9.99 shipping
Buy It Now$65.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
Titled raw denim, 30x30. Top of the range here.
Seller: Seller on eBay
Check feedback on the listing
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