International Clothing Size Conversion (US, UK, EU)

Ordering clothes from another country is a gamble without a size chart. US 8, UK 12, and EU 40 are all the same size — but good luck remembering that while shopping. Here’s the system behind the chaos.

The conversion formulas

Women's clothing:
  UK size = US size + 4
  EU size = US size + 32   (approximate)
  
  Example: US 6 = UK 10 = EU 38

Men's clothing (suits/shirts):
  UK size = US size (same system)
  EU size = US size + 10
  
  Example: US/UK 40 = EU 50

These are approximate — there’s no universal standard, and brands interpret sizes differently.

Women’s size chart

US	UK	EU	Bust (in)	Waist (in)	Hips (in)
2	6	34	33	25	35
4	8	36	34	26	36
6	10	38	35	27	37
8	12	40	36	28	38
10	14	42	37.5	29.5	39.5
12	16	44	39	31	41
14	18	46	40.5	32.5	42.5

Men’s shirt sizes

S/M/L	US/UK Neck	EU	Chest (in)
S	14–14.5”	36–37	34–36
M	15–15.5”	38–39	38–40
L	16–16.5”	41–42	42–44
XL	17–17.5”	43–44	46–48

Worked example

You’re a US women’s size 10, shopping on a European site:

EU size = US size + 32 = 10 + 32 = 42

Double check with measurements:
  Your waist: 29.5 inches
  EU 42 waist range: 29–30 inches ✓

For a UK site: UK size = 10 + 4 = 14

Why sizes don’t always match

• Vanity sizing — brands have gradually made sizes larger (a US 6 today was a US 10 in the 1970s)
• Brand variation — a Zara medium fits differently than an H&M medium
• Cut and style — relaxed fit vs. slim fit within the same labeled size
• Regional differences — Asian sizing runs 1–2 sizes smaller than Western
• Fast fashion — inconsistent sizing even within the same brand

When to use size conversions

• Shopping from international online retailers
• Buying vintage or secondhand clothing (older sizing runs smaller)
• Ordering from Asian brands (size up 1–2 sizes)
• Gift shopping for someone in another country
• Understanding what size to start with when trying a new brand

Tips for getting the right fit

• Always check the brand’s specific size chart over generic conversions
• Measure yourself: bust, waist, and hips are the three key numbers
• When between sizes, size up for structured items, down for stretchy ones
• Read reviews — “runs small” or “runs large” saves returns
• Japanese/Korean sizing uses actual measurements (cm) which is the most reliable system
• Save your measurements in cm — most international charts use metric

Find your size across any system with OurDailyCalc’s clothing size converter — enter your measurements or source size for instant conversions.

TL;DR

• Women’s: US + 4 = UK, US + 32 = EU (approximate)
• Men’s: US = UK, US + 10 = EU for suits
• Vanity sizing means the number isn’t consistent across brands
• Always check the specific brand’s size chart
• Body measurements in cm are the most universal and reliable reference