Pants Size Conversion Charts + Sizing Guides for Men & Women

We analyzed hundreds of clothing items from various brands, conducting thorough research to produce detailed size charts. Learn about our methodology and laboratory.

This page offers pant size conversion tools to translate men’s sizes into women’s and vice versa. You can even find your international size.

We analyzed hundreds of clothing items from various brands, conducting thorough research to produce detailed size charts. Learn about our methodology and laboratory.
Knowing your weight, height and body type is a giant step toward perfectly fitting pants. Scan the casual suspects in the lineup above to find the guy who comes closest to your dimensions and start zeroing in on your precise size.

Men’s Pants Size Chart (Waist)

The most-sold pants size in the US is an L (large), or 34 x 32”, fitting guys who are 5’10 to 6’0 and weigh in at between 179 lbs. and 192 lbs.

INCH CM

Your Waist in InchesUS Pant SizeInternational Size
26 - 27"26XXS
27 - 28"27XS
28 - 29"28XS
29 - 30"29S
30 - 31"30S
31 - 32"31M
32 - 33"32M
33 - 34"33M/L
34 - 35"34L
35 - 36"35L
36 - 37"36XL
38 - 39"38XL
40 - 41"40XXL
42 - 43"42XXL
44 - 45"44XXXL
46 - 47"46XXXL
48 - 49"48XXXL
50 - 51"504XL

Men’s Pants Sizing (Length)

This table compares men’s pant sizes in leg length (inches) and alpha size based on their height. For instance, men between 6 feet and 6’4″ typically require 34″ leg length or size Extra Large pants.

INCH CM

Your Body HeightMen's Pants Length in InchesPant Size Length
5'6" - 5'8"30Short
5'8" - 6'32Medium
6' - 6'4"34Long/Large
6'4" - 6'6"36XL/Extra Long
6'6" - 6'8"38XXL
Convert to ▶️ International Sizes (EU, UK, cm) or ▶️ Men to Women’s sizes. Get ▶️ W/L explained. Find our detailed how to measure inseam and how to measure waist size here.

Women’s Pants Sizes

Women’s Pant Size Conversion Chart – Width/Waist

This waist size chart helps you understand the various waist sizes used in pants, shorts, and skirts.

INCH CM

Your Waist in InchesMisses SizePant Size (W/L)International Size
23 - 25"0023/24XXS
25 - 26"025XXS
26 - 27"226XS
27 - 28"427XS
28 - 29"628S
29 - 30"829S
30 - 31"1030M
31 - 32"1231M
32 - 33"1432L
33 - 34"1633L
34 - 35"1834XL
36 - 37"2036XL
38 - 39"2238XXL
40 - 41"2440XXL

Women’s Pants Size Chart – Length

The table below indicates the alpha size and length in inches worn by women of various heights, listed in the left-hand column.

INCH CM

Your HeightLength (L) of Pants in InchesInternational Size
5'1" or smaller28"XS/Extra Short
5'2" - 5'3"30"S/Short/Small
5'4" - 5'7"32"M
5'8" or taller34"L/Long
Convert to ▶️ International Sizes (EU, UK, cm) or ▶️ Men to Women’s sizes. Get ▶️ W/L explained. Find our detailed how to measure inseam and how to measure waist size here.

Cracking the Code of Pant sizes

  • In the US, the sizing of pants usually involves two key dimensions: the waist size and the inseam length. Waist size is determined by measuring the circumference in inches at the slimmest part of your waist, typically right above the navel. The inseam length is the distance from the crotch down to the end of the pant leg on the inside leg.
  • Men’s and women’s pants sizes differ in their labeling. For men, sizes often appear with the waist measurement first, then the inseam length, like “36×32,” or they might be labeled as S, M, L, and so on, which is less precise than waist and length (W&L) measurements.
  • Conversely, women’s pants are available in three distinct sizing systems: the general S, M, L sizes; the waist and length (W&L) measurements; and the unique misses sizes such as 0, 2, 4, 6, and so on, which are exclusive to women’s clothing.
  • Cut, Rise and Leg Shape: The rise of a pant (the distance from the crotch to the waistband) and the shape of the leg significantly affect the fit. So, consider these factors when trying on pants and make sure to try multiple sizes if needed.
  • Read product reviews if you are shopping online. Check the product reviews for pants that you’re interested in buying, paying attention to comments from people who have the same body type as you. This can give you an idea of how the pants fit and whether they run true to size or not.
  • Sizes vary between brands. No clear uniform standards prevail in pants sizes throughout the fashion industry or between labels and manufacturers. Given that perturbing fact, it remains the best to try on before you buy.

Pants: Men’s Sizes to Women’s Sizes Converter

Your Waist in InchesMen's Pant Size (W/L)Men's International SizeWomen's International SizeMisses SizeWomen's Pant Size (W/L)
XXS0023/24
XXS025
26-27"26XXSXS226
27-28"27XSXS427
28-29"28XSS628
29-30"29SS829
30-31"30SM1030
31-32"31MM1231
32-33"32ML1432
33-34"33M/LL1633
34-35"34LXL1834
36-37"36XLXL2036
38-39"38XLXXL2238
40-41"40XXLXXL2440

How to convert Men’s Pants Sizes to Women’s? Remember, men’s pants are labeled with the waist size and length (inseam), while women’s pants sizes are usually indicated by numbers – 0, 4, 6, 8, 12, etc. Generally, if you only know the numerical size of your pants in women’s, you can add 21 to that number to get the closest waist measurement in men’s pants. For a size 8 in women’s, your size in men’s pants will be around 29. Still, this rule could vary from brand to brand.

Pant Size Chart

How to Measure your Size for Pants?

Wrap a measuring tape around the narrowest midpoint of the body, usually at the waistline, about the level of the navel. If you measure 33.5 inches here, then round up to the next number = W 34. Your leg length (inseam) is determined by running the measuring tape along the inside of the leg, from crotch to foot sole or wherever you want your pant leg to fall to. As in your waist size, round the fractional overage up to the next number: If you measure 31.5 inches, your leg length is L 32. Your size is then W34/L32, or just 34/32. Sometimes an ‘x’ is used instead of the slash (34×32).

Find our detailed how to measure inseam and how to measure waist size here.

How to measure your pants size

W/L Sizes explained

W stands for waist circumference (Waist = W) and L stands for leg length (L = Length). All pants with a size labeled in inches will include these two figures, with the waist figure followed by the length. For example, if you have a jeans size 34/32, the number 34 means you have a waist 34 inches around. The number 32 then corresponds to a leg length of 32 inches.

Pants Sizing: Cuts and Fits

Aside from the size of the pants, the cut and fit are the most important aspects. Above are a few of the most popular cuts you’ll have to choose from: Boot Cut, Regular, Baggy, Relaxed, Drop Crotch, Slim Fit, Skinny Fit and Loose Fit.

Size isn’t the only thing that matters. The “fit” and “cut” also determine how well a pair of pants fits and looks:

  • Skinny fit pants cling “skin-tight” to the legs and have the narrowest seat that a brand offers.
  • Slim fit pants are a size larger than skinny fit, but still snugly form-fitting in the legs, hips and seat.
  • Regular Fit: Sometimes called “classic” or “original,” this the traditional pants fit, with a comfy 2”-3” of play between the pants and you.
  • Relaxed Fit: These are the baggiest pants a label makes. Also called “loose fit” by some brands
  • Taper fit: pants may fit looser at the waist, but still feature legs that gradually tighten toward the ankles.
  • Straight fit pants feature legs roughly the same width throughout their length. From a standing position, the silhouetted legs fall perpendicular to the floor.

Different cuts and fits for different women: Jeggings, Slim Fit, Skinny Fit, Boyfriend Fit, Regular, Boot Cut, Loose Fit. The height of the pants top from the crotch, called the rise, determines where the pants “sit,” or come up to on your torso. Rise also varies widely in women’s pants, encompassing the High-waisted rise, Original rise, Regular rise, Medium rise, Low rise, even a hip-hugging, Ultra Low rise.

FAQ

What does pant size 32×32 mean?

Size 32 in US: The first number is waist size in inches, the second leg length or inseam. So a 32 waist x 32 length is equivalent to M or medium. See our pant size chart for more info.

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How do I know my pant size?

Circle the measuring tape around your torso and measure at the narrowest point of the body, ideally, the waist, often measured close to the navel or wherever your best fitting pants usually come to. Now refer to this pants size chart for your correct size. If you go a fraction over an even inch count, round up to the next number. Hence, if you measure 33.5 inches, then you’ll want a size W 34.

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What size is 36-38 in women’s pants?

If your waist size falls between 36-38 inches, according to our chart, you’re likely to fit into a US size 20 or 22. This would correspond to an Extra Large (XL) or Double Extra Large (XXL) in International sizing. See chart for more info.

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Insights from our Lab

This is how we work: watch the video and see how we measure and research in our lab.