Asian Size to US Size, Conversion Charts for Clothes & Shoes

From a Western perspective, Asian culture is unique and eclectic, and its fashion often exudes an elegant, minimalist style resplendent of the East. But once you’ve succumbed to the allure of Asian attire, how do you go about buying the clothes when the sizing is so distinctly different from what you’re accustomed to? In this guide, you will find a comprehensive array of Asian Size Charts to make conversions easier.

How to Convert Asian Clothing to US Sizes

Asian Sizes to US Sizes

There is no such thing as a universal Asian size. Individually, most countries in Asia have their own sizing systems. Below is a compilation of charts featuring the most common clothing sizes from China, Japan, and Korea:

  • Chinese clothing sizes are sometimes labeled with two numbers, e.g., 165/80. In this case, the first number represents the height of the person in centimeters. The second number represents the circumference of the person’s chest, again in centimeters.
  • Japanese clothing sizes uses a lettered sizing system (XS-XL), akin to the similar US size spectrum but tending to run smaller. The country also employs two numbered sizing systems. In those systems, for example, a size 9, and a size 38, respectively, are the equivalent of a US/UK small.
  • Korean clothing size follows a surprisingly simple numbered system. A size 55 is the equivalent of a US size small.
  • Asian clothing sizes, in general, run smaller than US sizes. If an article of clothing comes in “free size” or “one size,” do not buy it if you are a size 4 or above in the US.

Asian Size Charts

Asian Clothing Size Conversion Chart – Women

US Clothes SizeInter­natio­nalChina Clothes SizeJapan Clothes SizeKorea Clothes Size
4XS160-165 / 84-86S / 36 / 544
6XS160-165 / 84-86S / 36 / 744
8S165-170 / 88-90M / 38 / 955
10S165-170 / 88-90M / 38 / 955
12M167-172 / 92-96L / 40 / 1166
16M167-172 / 92-96L / 40 / 1166
18L168-173 / 98-102L, XL / 42 / 1377
20L168-173 / 98-102L, XL / 42 / 1377
22XL170-176 / 106-110XXL / 3L / 15
88
24XL170-176 / 106-110XXL / 3L / 1588
26XXL4L / 17
28XXL5L / 19
Asian Clothing Size Chart – Women

A more detailed discussion on women’s clothing sizes is available here.

Asian Clothing Size Conversion Chart – Men

US Clothes SizeInter­natio­nalChina Clothes SizeJapan Clothes SizeKorea Clothes Size
14XSS / 3690
14.5XSS / 3790
15S165 / 88-90M / 3895
15 - 15.5S165 / 88-90M / 3995
15.5 - 16M170 / 96-98L / 40100
16M170 / 96-98L / 41100
16.5L175 / 108-110L, XL / 42105
17L175 / 108-11043105
17.5XL180 / 118-12244110
17.5XL180 / 118-12244110
XXL185 / 126-130
XXL185 / 126-130
Asian Clothing Size Chart – Men

This article on men’s clothing sizes might interest you as well.

Asian Shirt Size to US

With the Asian shirt size to US shirt size chart below, you can convert your size into the Asian shirt sizes and vice versa.

US Clothes SizeInter­natio­nalChina Clothes SizeJapan Clothes SizeKorea Clothes Size
14XSS / 3690
14.5XSS / 3790
15S165 / 88-90M / 3895
15 - 15.5S165 / 88-90M / 3995
15.5 - 16M170 / 96-98L / 40100
16M170 / 96-98L / 41100
16.5L175 / 108-110L, XL / 42105
17L175 / 108-11043105
17.5XL180 / 118-12244110
17.5XL180 / 118-12244110
XXL185 / 126-130
XXL185 / 126-130

At a Glance

  • There is no universal Asian size system, and each country in Asia has its own sizing system.
  • In China, two different systems of clothing sizes are used to measure different dimensions of the body.
  • Japan uses a lettered system (XS-XL) that tends to run smaller compared to US or UK sizes, and also uses two different numbered systems in sizing.
  • Some areas of the body, such as the chest and shoulders, may be smaller than what is typically found in US or UK sizes. Women who are bustier or have a full figure may find that a lot of Asian apparel won’t fit them. The same applies to height.

Asian Children Size Chart

The best method for fitting your child with an Asian shirt is to measure him or her closely, then compare those measurements with the corresponding Asian Children Size Chart below. Keep in mind that these are general sizes and each manufacturer tends to slightly differ in their sizing standards. Also, some larger sizes might not be available in Asian sizes.

Asian Children’s Clothing Size Conversion Chart

USUKEUCHINAJAPANKOREA
43-498-104 cm1051007
54-5104-110 cm1151109
65-6110-116 cm1151109
76-7116-122 cm12512011
87-8122-128 cm12512013
108-9128-134 cm13513013
129-10134-140 cm14514015
1410-11140-146 cm15515017
1611-12146-152 cm16516017
USTHAILANDPHILIPPINESINDIAMALAYSIAVIETNAM
4XXS2223-4XXS
5XS4244-5XS
6S6245-6S
7S626-276-7S
8M8287-8M
10M10308-9M
12L1232-339-10L
14XL143410-11XL
16XXL163611-12XXL

Asian Shoe Size Charts

Asian Shoe Size to US – Women

Converting Asian women’s shoe sizes (China, Japan, Korea, etc.) to US women’s shoe sizes couldn’t be easier than with this Asian Shoe Size Chart for women.

US Women'sJP (cm)CNKP (mm)India
11831180
1.518.531.5185
219321900
2.519.532.51950.5
320332001
3.520.533.52051.5
421342102
4.521.534.52152.5
522352203
5.522.535.52253.5
62336.52304
6.523.5372354.5
72437.52405
7.524.5382455.5
825392506
8.525.539.52556.5
926402607
9.526.540.52657.5
102741.52708
10.527.541.52758.5
112842.52809
11.528.543.52859.5
12294429010
12.529.544.529510.5
133045.530011
13.530.54630511.5
143146.531012
14.531.54731512.5
153247.532013
15.532.548.532513.5
16334933014
16.533.549.533514.5
17345034015

Asian Shoe Size to US – Men

Asian to US Shoe Size

With this Asian Shoe Size chart, you can easily convert different Asian shoe sizes (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.) into Men’s US shoe sizes.

US Men'sJP (cm)CNKP (mm)India
0.519321900
119.532.51950.5
1.520332001
220.533.52051.5
2.521342102
321.534.52152.5
3.522352203
422.535.52253.5
4.52336.52304
523.5372354.5
5.52437.52405
624.5382455.5
6.525392506
725.539.52556.5
7.526402607
826.540.52657.5
8.52741.52708
927.541.52758.5
9.52842.52809
1028.543.52859.5
10.5294429010
1129.544.529510.5
11.53045.530011
1230.54630511.5
12.53146.531012
1331.54731512.5
13.53247.532013
1432.548.532513.5
14.5334933014
1533.549.533514.5
15.5345034015

To learn more about Asian shoe sizes, click here.

Asian Shoe Sizes Kids

Children’s shoe sizes vary greatly from country to country. US and UK sizes for kids shoes diverge from one another by about a half-size. Respectively, Europe and Japan use entirely different systems altogether to measure shoe sizes.

The chart below will help you convert your child’s shoe size to different Asian shoe sizes. Consult this chart to make sure you pick the right shoes for your child.

USJPKP (mm)CNIndia
0.5890150
18.59515.50.5
1.59100161
29.510016.51.5
2.510105172
310.5110182.5
3.511115193
411.512019.53.5
4.512125204
512.512520.54.5
5.513130215
613.513521.55.5
6.51414022.56
714.5140236.5
7.51514523.57
815.515024.57.5
8.515.5155258
91616025.58.5
9.516.5160269
1017165279.5
10.517.517027.510
11181752810.5
11.518.517528.511
1218.51802911.5
12.5191853012
1319.519030.512.5
13.5201953113
1Y20.519531.513.5
1.5Y2120032.51
2Y21.5205331.5
2.5Y21.5210342
3Y2221534.52.5
3.5Y22.5220353
4Y2322035.53.5
4.5Y23.522536.54
5Y24230374.5
5.5Y24.5235385
6Y25245395.5
Asian clothes on hanger in a shop

Understanding Asian Sizes and Conversions

Chinese Clothing Sizes

In China, two different systems of clothing sizes are used. This is because they measure two different dimensions of the body—overall height and circumference at the chest. You will find, for example, that a US medium is a size 88-90 or 165-170 in China.

Japanese Clothing Sizes

Like the US, Japan uses a lettered system (XS-XL). However, exercise caution because these sizes tend to run smaller compared to US or UK sizes. A medium in Asian size might correspond to a small in US stores.  Japan also uses two different numbered systems in sizing. So you might see sizes 9 or 38, both of which are equivalent to a US/UK small.

Korean Clothing Sizes

This country uses a very simple numbered system. For instance, a size 55 is simply a small on the US size spectrum.

Asian Size Charts

Here you can find more information about US shoe sizes and US pant sizes.

Things To Consider When Buying Asian Clothing or Shoes

“Caveat emptor,” as the ancient Latin phrase goes, “Let the buyer beware.” Here are some things you need to take into consideration before you fill your shopping cart, virtual or otherwise, with clothes.

  • Beware of the “one size fits all” pitch. Some areas of the body, particularly the chest and shoulders, may be a bit smaller than you are used to. If you are a woman who measures on the bustier side, or who cuts a zaftig or Rubenesque figure all around, it might be time to accept that a lot of Asian apparel simply won’t fit. The same thing applies to height.
  • Quality. You may have noticed that clothes from China can be cheap—both inexpensive to buy and cheaply made from inferior materials.  Particularly if you are shopping online, there are often no assurances beforehand of the quality of the clothes you are buying. If you can, be sure to identify the fabric from which the clothes are made. If they are made of any synthetic material, such as polyester, then the quality may disappoint you. When shopping online, you can’t feel or as closely examine the material and craftsmanship, so be extra cautious. Items rarely look exactly the same in real life as their enticing photos in advertisements, so lower your expectations somewhat if you wish to avoid disenchantment when your shipment arrives.
  • When buying online, communicate with the seller. If you are buying from an online seller, communication is key. Given the opportunity, pose as many questions as you can think of about the quality and the particular size of the articles of clothing you are purchasing. This will help dispel any qualms that remain regarding your purchase. 
  • Finally, practice patience. You’re buying goods from the other side of the world; don’t expect them to arrive at your doorstep the next day. Shipping can take time, so consider that before you buy a dress for a prom that’s only a week away.

FAQ

Korean Shoe Size to US

With this Asian Shoe Size chart, you can easily convert different Korean shoe sizes into Men’s and Women’s US shoe sizes.

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Asian Sizing Chart

There is no universal Asian size system, and each country in Asia has its own sizing system. Find our detailed Sizing Charts for different Asian countries here.

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Japanese Sizing

In Japan, clothing sizes are indicated using a letter-based system (XS-XL), similar to the US size range, but with a tendency to be smaller. Additionally, two numbered sizing systems are also used in the Japan. For instance, a size 9 and a size 38 in these systems correspond to a small size in the US/UK. See details here.

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