US vs UK vs EU Clothing Sizes: Complete Conversion Reference

Updated: May 27, 2026

Why Sizes Differ Between Countries

US, UK, and EU sizing systems all aim to describe the same human body — but they use different numbering conventions and their own measurement standards. A US size 8 is not the same as a UK size 8 or an EU size 8. Each system has a different starting point and numbering logic.

Women’s: US vs UK vs EU

The simplest pattern: UK = US + 4 (numeric).

US	US Letter	UK	EU	Bust (in)	Waist (in)	Hips (in)
0	XXS	4	32	30.5	23.0	33.5
2	XS	6	34	31.5	24.0	34.5
4	XS	8	36	32.5	25.0	35.5
6	S	10	38	33.5	26.0	36.5
8	S	12	40	34.5	27.0	37.5
10	M	14	42	35.5	28.0	38.5
12	M	16	44	36.5	29.0	39.5
14	L	18	46	37.5	30.0	40.5
16	L	20	48	38.5	31.0	41.5
18	XL	22	50	40.0	32.5	43.0
20	XXL	24	52	42.0	35.0	45.0

Bold = most common US women’s size.

The conversion formulas:

UK = US + 4
EU ≈ US × 2 + 30 (approximate; varies by brand)
AU = UK (same as UK)

Men’s: US vs UK vs EU

Men’s letter sizes (S/M/L/XL) are identical in the US and UK. EU uses a different numerical system based on chest circumference in centimeters:

US / UK	EU	Chest (in)	Chest (cm)
XS	42	30–34	76–86
S	44/46	34–37	86–94
M	48/50	38–41	97–104
L	52/54	42–45	107–114
XL	56/58	46–49	117–124
XXL	60/62	50–53	127–135

EU conversion: EU ≈ chest circumference in cm (round to nearest even number).

For suits: US and UK suit sizes use chest inches. A US 40R suit = 40” chest. EU 50 suit ≈ same person. Conversion: EU = chest_cm = inches × 2.54.

For shirt collar sizing, trouser inseam, and suit fit styles — see the Men’s Clothing Size Guide.

Kids’: US vs EU

Kids’ sizing differs most between countries. US uses age-based or height-based labels; EU uses height in centimeters:

US	Age	EU	Height (cm)
2T	18m–2yr	86/92	80–92
3T	2–3yr	92/98	92–98
4T	3–4yr	98/104	98–104
5	4–5yr	110	104–112
6	5–6yr	116	112–119
8	7–8yr	128	127–132
10	8–10yr	140	132–142
12	10–12yr	152	142–150
14	12–14yr	164	150–157

EU kids’ size = height in cm (round to nearest 6).

Junior vs Misses (US Only)

This is a US-specific distinction not present in UK or EU:

Misses sizes (2/4/6/8/10/12): Based on adult body proportions. This is the standard size chart above.
Junior sizes (1/3/5/7/9/11): Cut for a younger, less curved figure. A junior 7 ≈ misses 6 but with different hip-to-waist ratio and shorter rise.

Junior and misses sizes use the same numbers but different fits. A misses 8 does not fit the same as a junior 8.

Common Conversion Mistakes

Mistake 1: Converting UK to US for women by subtracting 4 — and getting men’s size

Women’s UK 14 = US 10 (women’s). This has nothing to do with US men’s sizing. Keep gender charts separate.

Mistake 2: Using letter sizes as equivalents

An EU S ≠ US S in numeric measurement. Letter sizes (S/M/L) are relative — they indicate position in a brand’s range, not an absolute body measurement. Always compare the actual inch/cm measurements.

Mistake 3: Assuming all EU brands use the same EU sizing

France, Germany, and Italy all use “EU” sizing but with slight regional variations. Italian brands typically run smaller. French brands (H&M is a common example) typically follow ISO-based EU sizing closely. This brand-level inconsistency is the same reason clothing sizes vary between US brands — no standard is enforced globally.

Use the Clothing Size Calculator — enter measurements once, get all conversions simultaneously.