Clothing Size Chart: International Size Conversions for Women, Men and Kids

Women's clothing size conversion chart

Women's numeric sizes convert with fixed offsets. UK and Australian sizes are the US size plus 4. European sizes come in two conventions that sit one size apart: German, Dutch, Austrian and Scandinavian labels are the US size plus 30, while French, Spanish and Belgian labels are the US size plus 32. Italian sizes are the US size plus 36.

The two European columns explain most conversion arguments online. A shopper who reads "US 8 = EU 38" and one who reads "US 8 = EU 40" are both right, for different brands. When a European brand does not say which system it uses, compare its size chart's bust measurement with yours instead of trusting the label.

Japanese women's sizes use odd numbers (号) under the JIS L 4005 system, with 9 as the middle size. Many Japanese brands also label S, M and L, cut about one size smaller than the same letters in the US.

Size 6, 8 and 10 in European sizes

These are the conversions people search for most. First identify which country your size comes from, because a UK 8 and a US 8 are two sizes apart.

Odd numbers such as 7 and 9 are not misses' sizes. In US clothing they are juniors' sizes, cut slimmer through the bust and hip: a juniors 7 is close to a misses 6 (EU 36 or 38) and a juniors 9 to a misses 8 (EU 38 or 40). In Japanese sizing, 7 and 9 are the small and medium women's sizes in the table above.

If the number you have is a shoe size, the conversion is different again: US women's shoe sizes 7, 8 and 9 are roughly EU 37.5-38, 38.5-39.5 and 40-41. See the shoe size chart.

What S, M, L and XL measure: women's body sizes

A size label stands for a set of body measurements. The figures below are typical of US mass-market charts; individual brands move them by 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5 cm) either way. Within the numeric scale, each size step adds about 1.5 in (4 cm) at the bust in the middle of the range and 2 to 2.5 in (5 to 6 cm) above size 12.

US plus sizes continue as 1X (about 14W-16W), 2X (18W-20W) and 3X (22W-24W). "W" sizes are cut with more room at the waist and bust than the same number in misses' sizing, not simply scaled up. Petite ranges (usually for 5 ft 4 in, 163 cm, and under) shorten the torso, sleeves and inseam; tall ranges (about 5 ft 8 in, 173 cm, and over) lengthen them.

Men's clothing size chart

Men's sizing is simpler because most tops and jackets are named after chest girth. A US or UK 40 jacket is cut for a 40 in chest. European and Italian jacket sizes are based on half the chest girth in centimeters. The conventional conversion is the inch size plus 10, which is exact around size 40 (a 50 is cut for a 100 cm, 39.4 in chest) and drifts toward one size off at 48 and above, because European steps are 4 cm while US steps are 2 in (5.1 cm).

The gaps in the chest column (a 37 or 41 in chest) are real: a man with a 37 in chest is between S and M and should pick by fit, choosing M for layering or a relaxed cut. UK men's sizes match US sizes. Men's trousers in Europe use a different scale from jackets; see the pants size guide and the jeans size chart for waist and inseam conversions.

Japanese men's letter sizes usually run one size small against US labels, so a US medium buyer often needs a Japanese L. Korean brands label men's tops by chest in centimeters: 95 is roughly M and 100 roughly L.

Chinese clothing sizes (160/84A format)

Clothing made for the Chinese market is labeled under the GB/T 1335 standards with height and girth in centimeters, followed by a body-type letter. A label of 165/88A on a top means it is cut for someone about 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) tall with an 88 cm (34.6 in) bust or chest. On trousers the second number is the waist.

• Y: large difference between chest and waist (slim, athletic).
• A: average difference; the most common type.
• B and C: smaller difference, meaning a fuller waist.

Cross-border marketplaces often relabel these garments S, M and L. Because the underlying cut is for the number on the inner label, check it when a top fits tighter than its letter suggests.

Children's clothing sizes by height

European children's sizes are based on height: a size 104 is cut for a child up to about 104 cm tall, in steps of 6 cm. UK labels usually state an age range, often with a height alongside, and US labels use toddler sizes (2T-5T) and then numbers. Height is the most reliable way to convert, because children of the same age vary widely.

For children's footwear, which is sized by foot length rather than height, use the kids' shoe size chart.

How to measure yourself for clothes

Use a soft tape measure, wear thin clothing or underwear, and keep the tape level and snug without compressing. Take each measurement twice.

1. Bust or chest. Around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades. Breathe out normally before reading.
2. Natural waist. Around the narrowest part of the torso, usually 1 to 2 in (2.5 to 5 cm) above the navel. This is the waist on dress and top charts. Pants charts often mean where the waistband sits, which is lower; the pants guide covers that.
3. Hip. Around the fullest part of the seat, typically 7 to 9 in (18 to 23 cm) below the natural waist, with feet together.
4. Neck. Around the base of the neck where a collar sits, then add 0.5 in (1.3 cm) so a buttoned collar is not tight.
5. Sleeve. From the center back of the neck, across the shoulder and down to the wrist bone, with the arm relaxed and slightly bent.
6. Height. Barefoot, against a wall. Height decides petite, regular or tall lengths, children's sizes, and length codes such as S, R and L on jackets.

Which measurement each garment is sized by

Every garment type has its own sizing system. The table shows what decides the size for each one and links to the detailed guide.

Footwear for around the house and the beach follows the same foot-length logic but often in grouped sizes; see slipper sizes, flip-flop sizes and insole sizes. For swimwear sold in Europe as swimming costumes, the swimming suit size guide covers the regional labels. Accessories have their own scales: belts by waist, hats by head circumference, gloves by hand girth, plus tie and scarf dimensions. To convert any length or girth between inches and centimeters, use the unit converter.

Why the same size fits differently between brands

• Voluntary standards. In the US, ASTM body-measurement tables are voluntary, and the European standard EN 13402 defines how to state body dimensions rather than fixing what a "38" is. Each brand builds its own size chart.
• Target customer. Brands aimed at younger shoppers often cut smaller for the same label than brands aimed at older ones.
• Fit intent. Slim, regular, relaxed and oversized cuts of the same size share body measurements but differ in garment measurements by several inches.
• Fabric. Knits with elastane stretch to fit a range; woven cotton, linen and leather do not, so size by your largest measurement in those.

Frequently asked questions