European Sizes: Conversion Charts for Clothes – US, UK, EU, Int.

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

Clothes sizes in the UK 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 UK sizes to approximate EU sizes and vice versa. But please note: The European size charts below can only be indications. EU 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.

European Size Chart for Women

More clothing sizes for women.

European Size Chart for Men

More clothing sizes for men.

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Men’s Shirt and Sweater Sizes

Women’s Shirt and Sweater Sizes

Women’s Pant Sizes

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

(Here is a helpful guide on measuring for the right-fitting jeans.)

Men’s Pant Sizes

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

(To learn more about measuring for the right-fitting pair of trousers, click here.)

How to convert European Clothing Sizes

If you want to convert UK sizes into the corresponding EU sizes, you can look up the respective UK size in the European Clothing Size Conversion Charts above.

How to calculate European Sizes

At present, the sizes are usually indicated according to the following formula: Clothing size = chest circumference divided by 2 centimetres. 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 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 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. 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!

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.

At a Glance

• European sizes are usually indicated according to the following formula: Clothing size = chest circumference divided by 2 centimetres. 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.

• Shoe Sizes
• European Sizes
• Trouser Sizes
• Childrens Shoe Sizes by Age
• Jeans Sizes