Clothing size converter: US, UK and EU sizes

Convert clothing sizes between countries

This clothing size converter translates sizes between the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain and letter sizes (XS to XXL). It covers women, men, jeans and kids. Use it to turn an EU size into a US size before ordering from a European store, or to check which UK dress size matches your usual US size. Keep in mind that there is no single standard, and a brand's own chart can be a full size off.

How to use it

1. In "Convert a size", pick the "Garment", for example "Dresses and skirts", then "Convert from" and the "Size". The "Approximate equivalents" appear right away.
2. To start from your body, go to "Find your size from your measurements", choose "For" and the "Unit" (inches or centimeters), then type your bust, waist and hips.
3. For jeans, type W or L in inches and the centimeters fill in, or the other way around.
4. Filter the chart with "Women", "Men", "Kids" or "Jeans". "Print the chart" prints only the chart.

The page opens in US sizes and remembers your last choices on your device.

Why sizes differ from country to country

US and UK women's sizes are small even numbers four apart: a US 6 is a UK 10. Continental Europe uses larger numbers: France and Spain 38, Italy 42, Germany 36 for that same size. For men's jackets, the US and UK size is simply the chest in inches, while the European size is roughly half the chest in centimeters, so a US 40 is an EU 50.

The European standard EN 13402 suggests labeling clothes with body measurements in centimeters but remains voluntary.

Women's and men's size conversion

Men's dress shirts go by neck size: a 15.5 in collar is sold as 39 or 40 cm in Europe. Men's pants follow the waist: a 32 waist is an FR 42 and an IT 48.

How to take your measurements

Use a soft tape measure and measure over underwear, keeping the tape flat and snug, not tight. Bust or chest: around the fullest part, tape level under the arms. Waist: at the natural waistline, above the belly button. Hips: around the widest part, feet together. Neck: at the base, with one finger under the tape. Inseam: from the crotch to the floor, without shoes.

Example: a 36 in bust, 29 in waist and 39 in hips give a US 8, which is a UK 12, an FR 40 and an L. With a 90 cm (35.4 in) bust, the converter shows "Between US 6 · M and US 8 · L": go up for a relaxed fit, down for a close fit or stretchy fabric.

Jeans: W and L

W is the waist and L the inseam, both in inches. One inch is 2.54 cm, so a W32 is an 81 cm waist (32 × 2.54 = 81.28) and an L30 a 76 cm inseam. European shops often list the same jeans as a 42.

Kids' sizes by age and height

European kids' sizes are the child's height in centimeters: a 128 fits a child up to 128 cm, usually around 8 years old. That is a US 8 and a UK "7-8 years". Go by height rather than age: a 125 cm child (about 49 in) gets a 128.

Buying clothes from overseas

Open the brand's size guide and compare its measurements with yours instead of trusting the number on the label. Check the return policy too: window, shipping costs, return address.

Frequently asked questions

What is a European 38 in US sizes?

For women, an EU 38 (French or Spanish sizing) is a US 6 and a UK 10 under the most common convention. An Italian 38 is smaller: a US 2.

How do I convert a UK dress size to a US size?

Subtract 4: a UK 12 dress is a US 8, a UK 8 is a US 4.

Is there an international clothing size standard?

EN 13402 recommends labeling body measurements in centimeters, but no rule fixes the size numbers, so two brands can give the same body two different sizes.

Should I size up between two sizes?

Size up for jackets and stiff fabrics, down for stretchy knits. When your measurements land in different sizes, the converter shows the larger one.