European Sizes: Clothing Sizes Conversion for US ⇔ EU ⇔ UK

European brands offer the finest styles. But how to find the right size in the jungle of different clothing size scales in Europe? European Clothing & Shoe Size Conversion is not easy. With these EU clothing size charts, you can easily convert your US size into European, UK, French, German or Italian sizes. Euro Size to US.

• How to convert European Clothing Sizes
• How to calculate European Sizes
• Euro Shoe Sizes

Clothes sizes in the USA are different from those in other countries. If you are visiting Europe, it is helpful to know the differences in dress and apparel sizes. This page is set up as a helpful support to convert European sizes to approximate US sizes and vice versa. But please note: The size conversion charts below can only be indications. Clothing sizes vary between manufacturers and also between different styles from the same manufacturer. Unfortunately, the producers of the different brands follow their own guidelines and there are no European wide standards available. We try to keep the tables as accurate as possible, but we cannot guarantee that everything is 100% accurate.  You should only use this information as a guide.

For your information: German sizes are also used in Switzerland, Austria, Holland, and Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway). French sizes are also valid for Spain, Portugal and Belgium.  Australia and New Zealand use the UK size system.

European Size Chart for Women

Standard clothing size charts for apparel, dresses, pants etc. Applies for women and girls.

More clothing sizes for women.

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European Size Chart for Men

Size chart for clothes and apparel such as pants, suits, cardigans, jumpers etc. Applies for men, youth and boys.

More clothing sizes for men.

Men’s Shirt and Sweater Sizes

Women’s Shirt and Sweater Sizes

Women’s Pant Sizes

European pant size conversion chart for women, featuring US, British, Italian, German, French and Standard EURO-Sizes.

This is how you measure to find the perfect fitting pants.

Women’s British pant sizes

If you want to know which European pair of pants corresponds to the British pant size, you need to do the same as you did with an American pant, that is, add 10. Therefore, a pair of pants with the British size 48 corresponds to a 58 in Europe. In Britain, pants are referred to as trousers. British trouser sizes correspond to US trousers as described above.

Women’s Italian pant sizes

There is no formal difference between Italian and European pant sizes because Italy and Europe work with the same measurement system. When buying a pair of pants, you should remember, however, that pants made by Italian manufacturers are usually a little narrower. French and Italian styles often come in petite cut or skinny fit.

Women’s French pant sizes

French and European pants systems differ. If you want to buy pants in size 40, you must choose a 42 in France. There is thus a difference in assorted lots.

(For more information on the Asian measurement guides, click here.)

Men’s Pant Sizes

European pant size conversion chart for men. Use this chart to convert from european sizes to us standard size or vice versa from us to european sizes.

This is how you measure to find the perfect fitting pants.

Belly sizes for men’s pants

If you are a man who prefers a slightly higher waistband, you should opt for a pair of pants in a so-called “belly size”. These pants go up to the waistline.

In order to determine the correct number, you have to measure approximately at the level of the navel. The belly size system is designed according to the regular system but is given in odd numbers. Belly start at 47 and end at 79.

Chunky pants sizes for men

Have you got the beginnings of a paunch, slightly shorter legs or bigger thighs? Then maybe a pair of pants in a chunky size is right for you. Chunky pants are worn below the belly or waistline, usually with a slightly shorter leg length. The system starts at number 23 and ends at number 34.

Pant sizes for slim men

Are you a slim and tall man and hence have slim thighs? Then you should fit pants in so-called slim sizes quite well. The stride length of pants in slim sizes is between 83 and 92 centimeters and the waistband width is between 71 and 104 centimeters. The sizes start at 88 and end at 114.

International Jeans Size Charts for Men

More on jean sizes here.

International Jeans Size Charts for Women

How to convert European Clothing Sizes

If you want to convert US sizes into the corresponding EU sizes, you can look up the respective US size in the European Size Chart above. For your convenience, we have prepared a few dedicated European Clothes Size conversions below:

How to calculate European Sizes

At present, the sizes are usually indicated according to the following formula: Clothing size = chest circumference divided by 2 centimeters. For women, 6 is deducted from this value.

Example calculation: For men with a chest circumference of 88 cm: 88 cm / 2 cm = clothing size 44 (men). For women: 88 cm / 2 cm – 6 = 44 – 6 = size 38 (women). However, as this specification is not binding, the clothing sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Rules of thumb for clothing size conversion

The arms are too short and the crotch sits nowhere. When shopping on holiday, you are usually faced with the challenge of finding the right size. And the right brand for your figure.

In Germany, the size 38 sweater fits perfectly. In Italy, the top in size 38 looks like you are squeezed in. Three numbers have to be deducted from tourists in order to convert the Italian sizes into German ones. In France, it’s only one size difference. The same goes for gentlemen: A German 48 would be 54 in Italy and 50 in France.

Converting English and American sizes is difficult, as visitors have to memorize a different starting value instead of the principle “minus three sizes” or “minus two”. In the USA the German 32 is a 4, the 34 a 6, the 36 an 8 – and so on. In the UK, this conversion has to be increased by 2. The 32 is a 6, the 34 an 8.

Men’s sizes in the USA and Great Britain are again different. For pullovers and jackets, the rule is: minus ten. For example, the German 48 would be a 38 in the USA and Great Britain, and the numbers for shirts are different again: A German 36 would be 14 in the UK and USA, a 37 would be 14.5, a 38 would be 15 and so on.

If you are overwhelmed with conversion, you should look for International standard sizes from XS to XXXL. Many manufacturers already place these standard sizes next to the domestic ones. In spite of converters and supposed standard sizes, tourists have to be aware of one thing: They cannot rely on size designations. It is still only indicative.

Understanding European size tables and clothing sizing systems

The mirrors of Italian dressing rooms often reflect horrified faces. Then, for example, when holidaymakers suddenly no longer fit into the size they are used to. This is often because the sizing systems are very different in the European countries. The European standardization, despite some initiatives, has so far stopped before the garment sizes. Whether France, Great Britain or Spain – each country has its own clothing size system.

As early as 1994, standard European clothing sizes were to be introduced. The result: the non-compulsory EN 13402 standard. However, this standard created quite some resistance in important fashion countries such as Italy, France or Great Britain.

In the USA, clothing sizes are also marked differently. There one counts upwards from Small (S), over Medium (M) to Large (L). The system can be extended upwards and downwards with extras (X’ s) – from XXS to XXL. The dress sizes for women are given in even numbers from 0 to 26, while 0 is small and 26 are very large. For men’s clothing sizes in North America, factor 10 must be deducted from the European equivalent. For example, a 52 corresponds to 42.

The basis for European sizes is always the chest circumference. Measurement of hips, waist, chest/breast, inner seam and arm length: In Germany, the measured value is halved for men in terms of size, while in women, half of the figure is reduced by a further six centimeters. Example: A bust circumference of 96 centimeters results in a size of 48 for men and 42 for women. For women, an average body height of 164 to 170 centimeters is assumed for all sizes. Women who fall out of the grid tend to find what they are looking for in the long or short sizes.

The usual sizes for normal sizes in Germany – 32 to 54 for women and 40 to 62 for men – also apply in Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Poland.

Internationally and especially in the sports sector, the Unisex sizes with the designation S, M and L (plus additional Xs for “extra large” or “extra small” sizes) have been established. As a rule, the above figure of 48 corresponds to size M for men and size XL for women, although the underlying dimensions can be very different. An Asian M is therefore often much smaller than in Europe!

(A comprehensive guide to Asian clothing sizes is available here.)

Pants sizes pose a particular problem for many customers, as the ratio of leg length to hip circumference does not always match the standard clothing sizes. This is why some manufacturers offer their pants in different lengths. The most commonly-known case of this can be found in jeans. Here the waistband circumference and the inside leg length (also called “inseam”) are mostly given in inches, the sizes are called inch sizes. For example, size 32/34 for men describes a waistband circumference of 32 inches (~81 centimeters) with a leg length of 34 inches (~86 centimeters). In order to calculate its inch size, divide the calculated centimeter value by 2.54.

Problem: Varying body proportions

Even though you might have converted properly, you can still be surprised in the changing room with short trouser legs or pullover sleeves. This is because clothing sizes are based on different proportions. Arm length, leg length, waist and bust circumference in relation to body height – on average, people in different regions are differently constructed.

The typical woman in Germany is slightly A-shaped: slightly less breasts and more hips. In France and Italy, women are more dainty and stockier, arm and leg lengths are shorter. In the Scandinavian countries, it says:”bigger, wider, longer”. In Great Britain and the USA, the overall dimensions are more generous.

And as if buyers don’t have enough to do with different size designations and proportions, there is another component: the brands. Manufacturers interpret sizes for themselves. Some brands cheat on the sizes and label a 40 as a 38 to make customers feel slimmer.

You may refer to the following sizing guides for jeans to learn more about how measurements of clothing sizes vary per brand.

Things to consider when your are shopping online

First of all, it’s important to know that European sizes are usually smaller than US sizes. So, if you normally wear a US size M, you might need to go up a size or two when shopping for clothes in Europe. For example, you might find that you wear a European size L or XL.

Return policies can vary between stores and countries, so it’s always a good idea to check the specific return policy of the store you’re shopping from. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping from a European store while living in the US:

Shipping: If you need to return an item, you’ll likely have to pay for shipping back to the European store. Make sure you factor this cost into your decision to purchase from a European store in the first place.

Time limit: Some stores may have a time limit for returns (14 days or 30 days are typical), so be sure to check the policy and make sure you have enough time to decide if you want to keep the item or return it.

Restocking fees: Some stores may charge a restocking fee for returns, which can be a percentage of the item’s cost or a flat fee. Make sure you’re aware of any restocking fees before making a purchase.

Customs and duties: When shipping items back to a European store from the US, you may be responsible for paying customs and duties fees. Make sure you understand the potential costs of returning items before making a purchase.

Exchange vs. refund: Some stores may offer exchanges instead of refunds for returned items. Make sure you understand the difference and whether you prefer a refund or exchange.

At a Glance

• European sizes are usually indicated according to the following formula: Clothing size = chest circumference divided by 2 centimeters. For women, 6 is deducted from this value:
  For example, a man with a chest circumference of 88 cm has clothing size of 44 (88 cm / 2 cm). In women’s size, it is a size 38 (88 cm / 2 cm – 6).
• How clothing sizes are labeled in Europe can also vary per country. UK, Germany, Italy and France, for example, have their own sizing systems. Therefore, it is very important to refer to the manufacturer’s international size conversion charts to find your corresponding clothing size before buying clothes.
• The usual sizes for normal sizes in Germany – 32 to 54 for women and 40 to 62 for men – also apply in Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Poland.