Jeans Size Chart for Men and Women: W, L, US, UK and EU Sizes
Denim has its own sizing language: waist and length numbers in inches for men, a mix of W numbers and dress sizes for women, and a different system again in Europe. These charts translate every label into body measurements, so you can buy from any brand or country.
Jeans sizes are written W (waist) × L (length) in inches. W32 L32 fits a 32 in (81 cm) waist and has a 32 in (81 cm) inseam. In women's jeans each W number is one dress size: W27 is a US 4 (UK 8, EU 36) for a 26.5 in (67 cm) waist and 36.5 in (93 cm) hip.
- W32 L32 in cm
- 81 × 81 cm
- Women's W27
- US 4 / UK 8 / EU 36
- Women's W30
- US 10 / UK 14
- Men's W32 in EU
- 48
On this page
Men's jeans size chart
Men's jeans almost always carry two inch numbers, even in Europe and Asia. The W should match your waist measured where the jeans sit, which for most cuts is at or just below the navel. Many casual brands cut the waistband 1-2 in larger than the label, so if you are between sizes in a brand known to run generous, take the smaller one.
| W size | Body waist (in) | Body waist (cm) | Letter | EU (DE) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| W28 | 28 | 71 | XS-S | 44 |
| W29 | 29 | 74 | S | 44/46 |
| W30 | 30 | 76 | S | 46 |
| W31 | 31 | 79 | M | 46/48 |
| W32 | 32 | 81 | M | 48 |
| W33 | 33 | 84 | M | 48/50 |
| W34 | 34 | 86 | L | 50 |
| W36 | 36 | 91 | L | 52 |
| W38 | 38 | 97 | XL | 54 |
| W40 | 40 | 102 | XL | 56 |
| W42 | 42 | 107 | XXL | 58 |
| W44 | 44 | 112 | XXL | 60 |
Above W40, many brands switch to "big" sizing with a fuller seat and thigh, and some add a "big and tall" range with inseams to 38 in. UK sizes are identical to US in men's denim.
Women's jeans size chart
Women's denim uses two parallel systems. Premium and European brands label in W sizes (24, 25, 26 and so on), while many US mall brands use the dress-size numbers 00-20. The W number is close to the body waist in inches for a mid-rise jean, and each W step equals one dress size, so W26 is a US 2, W27 a US 4 and W28 a US 6.
| W size | US | UK | EU | Waist | Hip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W24 | 00 | 2 | 30 | 23.5 in (60 cm) | 33.5 in (85 cm) |
| W25 | 0 | 4 | 32 | 24.5 in (62 cm) | 34.5 in (88 cm) |
| W26 | 2 | 6 | 34 | 25.5 in (65 cm) | 35.5 in (90 cm) |
| W27 | 4 | 8 | 36 | 26.5 in (67 cm) | 36.5 in (93 cm) |
| W28 | 6 | 10 | 38 | 27.5 in (70 cm) | 37.5 in (95 cm) |
| W29 | 8 | 12 | 40 | 28.5 in (72 cm) | 38.5 in (98 cm) |
| W30 | 10 | 14 | 42 | 29.5 in (75 cm) | 39.5 in (100 cm) |
| W31 | 12 | 16 | 44 | 31 in (79 cm) | 41 in (104 cm) |
| W32 | 12/14 | 16/18 | 44/46 | 31.5-32 in (80-81 cm) | 41.5-42 in (105-107 cm) |
| W33 | 14 | 18 | 46 | 32.5 in (83 cm) | 42.5 in (108 cm) |
| W34 | 16 | 20 | 48 | 34 in (86 cm) | 44 in (112 cm) |
Plus-size jeans (14W to 24W, or 1X-3X) are cut on a different pattern with more room through the hip and thigh, so a 16W is roomier than a 16. The bust and full petite and tall ranges for the same numeric sizes are on the dress size chart.
In rigid or low-stretch denim, the hip decides whether jeans go on at all. If your hip falls a size above your waist, buy for the hip and have the back waist taken in, or choose a "curvy" cut, which has about 1-2 in more hip for the same waist.
Jeans length: L sizes and inseam by height
L is the inseam, measured from the crotch seam to the bottom of the hem. Men's jeans come in even inches from L28 to L36 (some brands also L29, L31 and L38). Women's jeans use either L numbers or short, regular and long versions of each size.
| Height | Men's L | Women's length |
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) | L28 (71 cm) | Short / petite, 27-29 in (69-74 cm) |
| 5 ft 3 in - 5 ft 6 in (160-168 cm) | L28-L30 (71-76 cm) | Regular, 30-31 in (76-79 cm) |
| 5 ft 7 in - 5 ft 10 in (170-178 cm) | L30-L32 (76-81 cm) | Long / tall, 32-33 in (81-84 cm) |
| 5 ft 11 in - 6 ft 1 in (180-185 cm) | L32-L34 (81-86 cm) | Tall, 34-35 in (86-89 cm) |
| 6 ft 2 in and up (188 cm+) | L34-L36 (86-91 cm) | Extra tall, 36 in+ (91 cm+) |
The style changes the right length. Skinny and slim jeans are designed to stack slightly or end at the ankle bone, so many people take 1-2 in less than in straight or bootcut jeans, which should reach the top of the shoe heel. Cropped and ankle jeans are cut short on purpose (typically 25-28 in) and should not be bought longer to compensate.
European and international jeans sizes
Most denim sold in Europe still uses W/L inch sizes. The EU numbers appear on womenswear from French, Spanish and Italian brands and on German menswear. Here is what the common European labels correspond to.
| EU label | Who | Equivalent | Waist / hip |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU 34 | Women | W26, US 2, UK 6 | 65 / 90 cm (25.5 / 35.5 in) |
| EU 36 | Women | W27, US 4, UK 8 | 67 / 93 cm (26.5 / 36.5 in) |
| EU 38 | Women | W28, US 6, UK 10 | 70 / 95 cm (27.5 / 37.5 in) |
| EU 40 | Women | W29, US 8, UK 12 | 72 / 98 cm (28.5 / 38.5 in) |
| EU 42 | Women | W30, US 10, UK 14 | 75 / 100 cm (29.5 / 39.5 in) |
| EU 48 | Men | W32, normal length | 85 cm waist |
| EU 50 | Men | W34, normal length | 89 cm waist |
| 98 / 102 | Men (long) | W34 L34 / W36 L36 | 87 / 91 cm waist |
| 25 / 26 | Men (short, stout) | W36 L30 / W38 L30 | 93 / 97 cm waist |
German and Scandinavian women's brands often run one number lower than this table, labeling a UK 10 as EU 36. When a label shows "42/14" the pair is EU 42 and UK 14, which is a US 10. More conversions for men's trousers are in the pant size chart.
Converting women's jeans to men's
Men's jeans have a straighter hip and a lower rise relative to the waist, so the same W number fits differently. To wear men's jeans, start from your hip rather than your waist.
- Waist: take a men's W about 1-2 numbers above your women's W. A women's W27 (US 4) usually needs a men's 28-29.
- Hip: a men's W30 has room for roughly a 37 in (94 cm) seat. If your hip is more than about 7 in larger than the men's W number, go up again or choose a relaxed fit.
- Length: men's L is measured the same way, so your usual inseam carries over directly.
Going the other way, a man in women's jeans should size by waist first and expect extra room in the seat and a higher rise.
Stretch, shrinkage and denim weight
The fabric changes how a size fits more than most brand differences do.
| Denim type | What it is | Sizing advice |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid | 100% cotton, no elastane | Buy the size that fits now; it softens but barely stretches |
| Comfort stretch | About 1-2% elastane | Expect the waist to relax slightly with wear; buy snug |
| High / super stretch | Higher elastane and often polyester | Fits a range; many people size down one |
| Raw / shrink-to-fit | Unwashed, unsanforized cotton | Shrinks up to about 10%; Levi's advises 1 in larger waist and 3 in longer leg for machine washing |
Denim weight is given in ounces per square yard. Below about 12 oz is light (summer jeans, chambray look), 12-16 oz is the usual range, and above 16 oz is heavyweight denim that holds its shape longer and needs more breaking in. Weight does not change the size you need, but heavier rigid denim feels tighter at first.
Most jeans are pre-shrunk, but a hot dryer can still take a little off the length and tighten stretch fabric by breaking down elastane. Wash cold and hang dry if a pair fits exactly as bought.
How to measure jeans that fit you
The fastest way to buy the right size online is to measure a pair you already like and compare it with the brand's garment measurements.
- Waist. Button the jeans, lay them flat, and measure straight across the top of the waistband. Double it. A pair labeled 32 that measures 16.5 in flat has a 33 in real waist.
- Inseam. Measure along the inside leg seam from the crotch seam to the hem.
- Front rise. From the crotch seam up to the top of the front waistband. About 8 in or less is low rise, 8.5-10 in mid rise, and 10-12 in high rise.
- Thigh. Straight across one leg, 1 in below the crotch. This is where slim fits differ most.
- Leg opening. Across the hem, flat. Doubling it gives the circumference.
For a typical men's W32, flat leg openings run roughly 6-6.5 in for skinny, 6.5-7.5 in for slim, 7.5-8.5 in for straight, and 9-10 in for bootcut, though brands vary. If you wear a belt with jeans, the belt size chart shows which length matches your W number.
Kids' jeans sizes
Children's jeans are sized by age (toddler 2T-5T, then 4-16 or 4-20), with width variants for different builds: slim, regular and husky or plus. Adjustable inner waistbands with button tabs tighten the waist without changing the length, which helps when a child fits the length of one size and the waist of a smaller one. European children's jeans use height in centimeters (110, 116, 122 and so on), the same system used for kids' jumpsuits and other children's wear. For shorter cuts, see shorts inseams, and for knit pants see the leggings size chart.
Frequently asked questions
What do the numbers in jeans sizes mean?
The first number (W) is the waist in inches and the second (L) is the inseam, the length from the crotch seam to the hem. A 34 × 30 jean fits a 34 in (86 cm) waist and has a 30 in (76 cm) inside leg. Women's jeans sometimes show only the W number or a US dress size.
What is a size 14 in women's jeans in inches?
A US women's 14 fits about a 32.5 in (83 cm) waist and a 42.5 in (108 cm) hip. In W sizing that is W33, in the UK an 18 and in Europe a 46.
What are size 12 jeans in all sizes?
A US women's 12 is W31, UK 16, EU 44, Italian 48 and a letter size L. It fits a 31 in (79 cm) waist and 41 in (104 cm) hip. A UK 12 is a smaller size: US 8, W29, EU 40.
How tall is someone who wears 33 × 32 jeans?
A 32 in inseam usually suits men about 5 ft 9 in to 6 ft 1 in (175-185 cm). The 33 is the waist and says nothing about height.
What is size 102 in jeans?
102 is a German long size, used for tall men. It is roughly a 36 in waist with a 36 in inseam (about 91 cm waist). Long sizes run 94, 98, 102, 106 and 110; the normal size with the same waist is about half the number (102 is close to a normal 51-52).
What does 42/14 mean on a jeans label?
It is a dual European / UK size: EU 42 and UK 14. Both correspond to a US women's 10, about W30, fitting a 29.5 in (75 cm) waist and 39.5 in (100 cm) hip.
Are jeans sizes standard across brands?
No. No law or binding standard fixes jeans sizes, and two pairs labeled W32 can differ by 2 in at the waistband. Brand size charts and the flat measurements of a pair that already fits you are the reliable guides.