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Clothing Size Converter
Use this clothing size converter to translate a size between the US, UK and EU systems. Pick whether the item is for a woman or a man, choose the garment, enter the size you know, and you will see the matching size in every region, together with the body measurements that size is made for.
Choose the size exactly as it appears on the label, then tell the tool which region that label comes from. The table below shows the equivalents.
How it works
Clothing sizes are labels, not measurements. A size 8 in one country can be a size 12 in another, even though both labels describe the same body. This converter uses standard published size tables: for each gender and garment it holds one row per size, with the US, UK and EU labels side by side and the body measurements that row is cut for. When you pick a size and its region, the tool finds that row and reads the other two labels from it.
For women's dresses, tops and trousers, the pattern is simple: the UK size is the US size plus 4, and the EU size is the US size plus 32. A US 6 dress is a UK 10 and an EU 38; a US 10 is a UK 14 and an EU 42. Each step up adds about one inch at the bust and waist, so the measurements rise steadily down the table. Women's shoes work differently: the UK size is the US size minus 2, and the EU size rises by roughly one for every half size, so a US 8 shoe is a UK 6 and an EU 39.
Men's clothing follows its own rules. Men's tops use letter sizes — XS, S, M, L, XL — and the US and UK letters match, while the EU uses numbers from 44 to 56. The measurement that matters for a top is the chest, measured around the fullest part of the chest with the tape level. Men's trousers are sold by waist size in inches, such as 32 or 34, and the UK waist is the same number; the EU number is the waist in inches plus 16. Men's shoes follow the same idea as women's: the UK size is one less than the US size, and the EU size is about six and a half sizes higher than the US size.
Measurements are the part of the table that never changes with fashion. A bust of 36 inches is 91 cm in every country, because an inch is always 2.54 cm. To measure yourself, stand straight and breathe normally. Measure the bust around the fullest part, the waist at the narrowest point (usually just above the belly button), and the hips around the widest part. Hold the tape snug but not tight, keep it level, and measure over light clothing. Compare your numbers with the table, and let the measurements decide when two labels disagree.
Worked example
A shopper finds a dress labelled US 8 on a website that also sells to the UK and Europe, and wants to know what size to order from a UK shop.
Step 1: Set Gender to Women and Garment to Dresses.
Step 2: Set "Size is from" to US and pick size 8.
Step 3: Read the matching row of the standard women's dresses table. The UK column for US 8 is 12, and the EU column is 40.
Step 4: Check the measurements for that row: bust 36 in (91 cm), waist 28.5 in (72 cm), hips 38.5 in (98 cm).
Step 5: Compare with your own measurements. If your bust is close to 36 inches and your waist close to 28.5 inches, the size is right.
Try it yourself: choose Women, Dresses, size 8 from the US, and press Calculate. The tool gives exactly the same answer — US 8 = UK 12 = EU 40, with bust 36 in / 91 cm, waist 28.5 in / 72 cm and hips 38.5 in / 98 cm.
FAQ
How do I convert a clothing size from US to UK?
Pick your gender and garment, choose the size you know and the region it comes from, and the converter shows the matching size in every other region. For women's dresses, add 4 to the US size to get the UK size, so a US 8 is a UK 12. For women's shoes, subtract 2 from the US size to get the UK size, so a US 8 is a UK 6. The rules change by garment, so use the table for your exact item rather than one general rule.
Why is my size different in each country?
Each country developed its own sizing system, and there is no single worldwide standard. The US, UK and EU number the same body differently, and brands add their own small differences on top, which is called vanity sizing. That is why a size 8 dress from one brand can fit like a size 10 from another. Body measurements in inches or centimetres are the reliable check, because they describe your body rather than a label.
Should I use my bust, waist or hip measurement to pick a size?
Use the measurement that matters most for the garment. For tops and dresses, start with the bust, then check the waist. For trousers and skirts, start with the waist, then check the hips. If your measurements fall into two different sizes, choose the larger size for fitted items such as dresses, because taking a garment in is easier than letting it out, and choose by comfort for stretchy or loose items.
Are men's and women's sizes the same?
No, men's and women's sizes use different scales and different body measurements. Women's dresses use even numbers such as 4, 6 and 8, while men's tops use letters such as S, M and L, or a chest measurement in inches. Men's trousers are usually sold by waist size in inches, such as 32 or 34. Always convert within the same gender, and check the chest or waist measurement rather than guessing across the two systems.
What if I am between two sizes?
If you fall between two sizes, think about the fabric and the fit you want. For structured fabrics with no stretch, such as denim or a tailored jacket, size up so the garment is comfortable to move in. For stretchy fabrics such as jersey or knitwear, size down so the garment does not hang loose. When shopping online, check the brand's own size chart and the customer reviews, because some brands run small and others run large.