To convert a clothing size between regions, match your size across the columns of the right chart: women’s tops and dresses, men’s tops and shirts, or jeans by waist. For women, UK sizes are four numbers above US and EU sizes add about 32, so a US 8 is a UK 12 and an EU 40. The clothing size converter does this for you and shows every region at once, plus a chart you can download.
That is the short version. Here is how each region’s sizing works, and why the number on the label is only ever a starting point.
Women’s tops and dresses
Women’s sizing is where the regions differ the most. The pattern is simple once you know it:
- UK = US + 4. A US 6 is a UK 10, a US 10 is a UK 14.
- EU = US + 32. A US 6 is an EU 38, a US 10 is an EU 42.
- International groups those numbers into XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL. Each letter covers two numbered sizes, so a women’s M is roughly a US 8 to 10.
So if a dress is listed as an EU 40 and you normally wear a US 8, the two match. If a brand only shows S, M and L, an M is your US 8 to 10 range.
Men’s tops and shirts
Men’s tops are more consistent across regions. US, UK and the international letter usually share the same S, M, L, XL grouping, so a men’s M is a men’s M in all three. The one that changes is EU, which uses a numeric size based on the chest, roughly the chest in centimetres. A men’s M is about an EU 48 to 50.
For a closer fit, measure your chest at its widest point and match it to the chart rather than guessing by letter.
Jeans and waist
Jeans are sized by the waist. Both US and UK label it in inches, so a 32 is a 32 in either. EU jeans use a higher number, adding about 16 to the inch measurement, so a 32 inch waist is roughly an EU 48. The international letter follows along, with a 32 inch waist sitting around M.
If you are between sizes, measure around your natural waist in inches and read across from there.
Why sizing is only a guide
Clothing sizes are not standardised the way units of length or weight are. Two brands can label the same measurements as different sizes, sizes have crept larger over the decades, and even one brand can cut a shirt and a jacket differently in the same size. That is why a conversion gets you close but not to a guaranteed fit.
The reliable move is to convert to find the likely size, then check the garment’s own size chart against your body measurements. Converting your bust, chest or waist between centimetres and inches helps when a chart uses the units you are not used to.
Related size tools
Clothing is not the only thing that changes label between countries. For footwear, use the shoe size converter to move between US, UK, EU and foot length in centimetres. For jewellery, the ring size converter covers US, UK, EU, Japan and the diameter in millimetres.
