Clothing sizes vary significantly between the US, UK, Europe, and Japan. The converter above uses ISO 8559-1:2017 standard body measurements as a reference for men's chest measurements and equivalent women's numeric sizes. Click any row to highlight your size across systems. Always consult a brand's specific size guide before purchasing — fit varies by manufacturer, cut, and fabric.
How each system works
US sizes use S/M/L/XL labels for both men and women. Men's sizes often reference chest circumference in inches. Women's sizes use a numeric scale (0, 2, 4… 22) that does not correspond directly to body measurements.
UK sizes for women are approximately 4 higher than the US equivalent (US 8 = UK 12). UK men's sizes closely match US men's sizes.
EU sizes for men reference chest circumference in centimeters (EU 48 ≈ 96 cm chest). Women's EU sizes use a numeric scale (34, 36, 38…) derived from body measurements in centimeters.
Japanese sizes use abbreviated labels (S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL) with typically narrower cuts than Western equivalents.
Practical examples
Example 1 — Buying a men's jacket in Europe
You wear a US/UK Large (chest 40–42 inches). In EU sizing:
L → EU 50–52 (chest ≈ 100–106 cm)
Example 2 — Women's dress in the UK
You wear a US size 10. In the UK:
US 10 Women → UK 14
Example 3 — Japanese online shopping
A Japanese brand labels its size M. In Western sizing:
Japanese M → typically Western S to M (cuts run narrower — size up when uncertain)
Common mistakes
Assuming US and UK women's sizes are the same. UK women's sizes are 4 higher than US equivalent. A US 8 is a UK 12. Ordering a US 8 from a UK retailer will be too small.
Using men's chest measurements for women's sizing. Women's EU numeric sizes (34, 36…) refer to bust measurements in centimeters. Men's EU sizes (48, 50…) also reference chest measurements, but the scales are different — they are not interchangeable.
Ignoring cut and fit differences. ISO 8559-1 defines standard body measurements, not garment ease or style. A "slim fit" EU 50 and a "relaxed fit" EU 50 will fit very differently. The table gives a starting point; fit matters more than the number.
International and regional variations
| System | Men's basis | Women's basis |
|---|---|---|
| US | S/M/L/XL + chest in inches | Numeric (0–22) — historical, not body-measurement based |
| UK | S/M/L/XL + chest in inches | Numeric (4–28) = US + 4 |
| EU | Chest in cm (46–60) | Numeric (32–54) = bust in cm ÷ 2 |
| JP | S/M/L/XL (narrower cut) | S/M/L/XL (narrower cut) |
Quick reference — women's size chart
| Label | US | UK | EU | JP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 0–2 | 4–6 | 32–34 | S |
| S | 4–6 | 8–10 | 36–38 | M |
| M | 8–10 | 12–14 | 40–42 | L |
| L | 12–14 | 16–18 | 44–46 | XL |
| XL | 16–18 | 20–22 | 48–50 | XXL |
| XXL | 20–22 | 24–26 | 52–54 | 3XL |
For a complete single-page reference covering women's clothing, men's clothing, dress shirts, jeans, and shoe sizes across US, UK, EU, Japan, and Australia, see the International Clothing Size Chart →.