Clothing Size Converter
Pick a size in the system you know and see the rest, with the body measurements each size assumes.
Full chart
Why sizes are so inconsistent
There is no enforced international clothing size standard, and the numbers mean different things in each country. UK women's sizes run 4 above US; EU sizes run 30 above US; Italian sizes run 6 above EU. Men's sizing is more rational, being based on chest measurement in inches or centimetres. The larger problem is vanity sizing: brands have progressively relabelled the same measurements with smaller numbers, so a US size 8 today is roughly what a size 14 was in 1960. Measure yourself and use the brand's own chart.
Measure yourself once
A measurement in centimetres works with any brand's chart. A size number only works with the brand that printed it.
- Bust or chest — around the fullest part, tape level, arms down.
- Waist — the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Do not hold your stomach in.
- Hips — the widest point, usually about 20 cm below the waist.
- Inside leg — from crotch to floor, in bare feet.
Keep the tape snug but not tight, and take measurements over underwear rather than clothing. Write them down — you will use them repeatedly.
Vanity sizing, in numbers
US women's sizes have drifted steadily for decades. Comparing standard size charts across time, a garment labelled size 8 today corresponds to roughly:
| Era | Equivalent label |
|---|---|
| 1960s | Size 14 |
| 1980s | Size 10 |
| Today | Size 8 |
The drift is not uniform between brands, which is why the same person can genuinely be a 6 in one shop and a 12 in another. This is a labelling phenomenon, not a fitting one — the measurements are what they are.
How to use the Clothing Size Converter
- Choose the women’s or men’s chart.
- Pick the system you already know your size in.
- Read the equivalents and the body measurements each size assumes.
Frequently asked questions
What is a US size 8 in UK?
UK 12. UK women’s sizes run four numbers above US throughout the range.
How do EU clothing sizes work?
EU women’s sizes are roughly US size plus 30, so US 8 is EU 38. Italy adds a further six, and France sits between the two.
Why am I different sizes in different shops?
Because each brand sets its own measurements for a given label, and vanity sizing has pushed those measurements around over decades. Your body has not changed between shops; the labels have.
How do men’s sizes work?
More sensibly. US and UK men’s jacket sizes are the chest measurement in inches, and EU sizes are roughly that number plus 10.
Should I size up or down between sizes?
Generally up, since taking something in is far easier than letting it out. For knitwear and stretch fabrics the smaller size usually works.
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Last reviewed September 4, 2026. Results are estimates for general information only.