Transitioning from UK to US sizes can be a bit complex. While UK sizing is one of the most globally recognised standards, finding your perfect fit isn’t always straightforward. The UK and Australia tend to share similar size metrics, but the rest of the world adopts different measurement systems.
If you’re considering buying clothes that follow UK sizing, or you’ve previously assumed UK and US sizes to be nearly identical, this guide will offer you thorough insights on UK sizes. The aim is to simplify the conversion process for you and help you find the most well-fitting garments, despite the change in sizing systems.
UK to US Sizes Chart for Clothing
UK sizing for clothing typically derives its standards from specific body measurements, namely the bust, waist, and hip. Size of men’s clothes is not so different in the UK standard compared to the US standards in general, although depending on the brand, there might still be some differences.
UK to US Size Chart – Women
| UK Clothes Size Women's | US Women's Size | International Women's Size |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | XS |
| 6 | 2 | XS |
| 8 | 4 | XS |
| 10 | 6 | S |
| 12 | 8 | S |
| 14 | 10 | M |
| 16 | 12 | M |
| 18 | 14 | L |
| 20 | 16 | L |
| 22 | 18 | XL |
| 24 | 20 | XL |
| 26 | 22 | XXL |
| 28 | 24 | XXL |
US to UK Sizes Clothes Men
| UK Clothes Sizes Men's | US Sizes Men's | International Men's Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 30 | XS |
| 32 | 32 | XS |
| 34 | 34 | S |
| 36 | 36 | S |
| 38 | 38 | M |
| 40 | 40 | M |
| 42 | 42 | L |
| 44 | 44 | L |
| 46 | 46 | XL |
| 48 | 48 | XL |
| 50 | 50 | XXL |
| 52 | 52 | XXL |
UK to US Size Chart – Children
- Find children sizes here.
Determining children’s sizes can indeed be challenging. Both their age and height need to be taken into account, particularly when purchasing clothes based on UK sizing. UK sizes for children are predominantly based on universal measurements, applying irrespective of the child’s gender. This makes understanding the sizing a little more complex, but also offers a comprehensive guide to finding the right fit.
How to convert US to UK size clothes?
Converting US to UK sizes can seem a little perplexing, especially as the sizes differ for clothes and shoes. For instance, a UK woman who typically purchases a size 10 shirt (or small) may need to opt for a US size 6. However, when buying shoes, she’ll likely require a size smaller than her usual UK size. It’s less complicated for men’s clothing, as UK and US sizes are virtually identical, but shoe sizes do vary. These variations apply equally to women’s, men’s, and children’s footwear. For more precise conversions tailored to your specific size, please refer to the detailed conversion tables below.
Understanding UK Sizing
UK sizing, also used by most Commonwealth nations including Australia, stands unique in its system. However, the entirety of Europe follows a different sizing standard for both clothing and footwear. For children, UK sizes primarily rely on height and other measurements, rather than age.
Women’s clothing sizes in the UK adhere to a standard called BS 3666, established in 1982, which is based on bust, waist, and hip measurements. For men’s clothing, the standard is BS 6185, which also uses measurements of the bust, waist, and hips.
Things to Remember About UK Sizes
- The rules for converting US to UK sizes vary between men, women, and children, particularly for clothing.
- Women should generally opt for larger clothing sizes, but smaller shoe sizes when using the UK standard.
- Men can typically choose the same clothing size as they do in the US, however, they should consider smaller shoe sizes when following the UK system.
- For children, clothing size differences aren’t as noticeable until a certain age. However, beyond the age of 10, sizing can diverge based on gender due to differences in certain measurements like chest size.
- Size charts and conversion techniques can be invaluable guides, but trying on clothing before purchasing remains the most reliable method to ensure a perfect fit. After all, manufacturers can employ different sizing standards.
FAQ
US XL to UK
US XL is approximately UK size 46 or 48 for men and 22 or 24 for women. Check the UK to US clothing charts here.
US Medium to UK
A US medium size for men typically corresponds to a UK 38 to 40. For women’s clothing, a US medium (usually size 10-12) often equates to a UK size 14-16. Check the US to UK clothing charts here.
US Small to UK
A US small size for men usually translates to a UK 34-36 as well. For women’s clothing, a US small, typically a size 6-8, is generally equivalent to a UK size 10-12. It’s important to note that sizes can differ slightly across brands, so checking our size charts is always advisable.
What Size is 2XL in UK
In the UK, a 2XL size for men typically corresponds to a chest size of 46-48 inches. For women, a 2XL often means a size of 20-22. Best is to look in our US to UK clothes chart.
What is US large in UK size men’s?
Large size in the US normally corresponds to a UK size 42 to 44 for men. However, there can be differences by brand. Best is to look your body measurement up in our US to UK clothes chart above.