Male and Female Clothing and Shoe Size Conversion Charts

Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 1 Jun 2015 - Updated: 15 Jul 2026
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information provides a comprehensive set of international clothing and shoe size conversion charts for men and women, detailing equivalents across American, Canadian, UK, European, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Australian sizing systems. It includes specific tables for garments such as bras, underwear, shirts, pants, and footwear, along with guidance on interpreting Chinese sizing, which often differs significantly from Western standards. The resource also addresses the concept of vanity sizing, explaining how modern size 0 and 00 emerged due to size inflation over time. By consolidating these diverse sizing standards into a single reference, the information serves as a practical tool for individuals purchasing clothing internationally, including seniors and people with disabilities who may rely on online shopping for adaptive apparel. Its clear presentation and updated content enhance its utility for anyone needing to navigate global sizing discrepancies.

At a Glance

• 1 - A Chinese "large" is typically smaller than an American small, so buyers often add two to three sizes when converting.
• 2 - The United States has no mandatory clothing size or labeling standard, only voluntary guidelines that have existed since the 1930s.
• 3 - Sizes 0 and 00 emerged from vanity sizing, and modern size 0 can fit chest-stomach-hip measurements ranging from 30-22-32 inches up to 33-25-35 inches.

Topic Definition

Clothing Size Conversion

Clothing size conversion is the process of translating a garment or footwear size from one country's sizing system into the equivalent size in another, so that a shirt labeled medium in China or a shoe marked 38 in Europe can be matched to its correct American, British, or other national counterpart. It exists because there is no single global standard: manufacturers in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Italy, Japan, China, and Australia each measure and label garments differently, and even brands within the same country can vary. In practice, conversion relies on comparison charts that line up body measurements such as chest, waist, hip, and foot length against each region's labels, giving shoppers a reliable reference point rather than a guarantee of a perfect fit. It has become especially important with the growth of international online shopping, where a buyer cannot try items on before purchase and must depend on measurements and conversion tables to order the right size the first time.

Overview

How to Order the Right Fit When Shopping for Clothes From Overseas

Our international shoe and clothing size conversion charts will assist you in selecting the right size clothes if you are ordering online from overseas countries such as China, Japan, UK, Italy etc.

In clothing, clothing size is defined as the label sizes used for male and female garments sold off-the-shelf. There are various standard sizing systems around the world depending on the garments, such as dresses, tops, skirts, and trousers - as well as size differences by country. For example an American purchasing clothing from China will need to ensure measurements are converted to American sizes. There is no mandatory clothing size or labelling standard in the U.S, though a series of voluntary standards have been in place since the 1930s. Made-to-order custom adaptive garments require measurements to be taken, but these do not need to be converted into the local national standard form.

The clothes sizing system in China can be quite confusing as they use a variety of systems depending on the item, e.g., blouses, pants, shoes, hats, etc., as well as whether the clothing is intended for domestic use only or export. For example: Chinese "large" is typically smaller than an American small. If the clothing produced in China is for American use, add 2 to 3 sizes to that and shop for the adjusted size. For example: Size Medium + 2 to 3 levels size adjustment = Size XL to XXL.

Size zero or 0 is a women's clothing size in the US catalog sizes system. Size 0 and 00 were invented due to the changing of clothing sizes over time (referred to as vanity sizing or size inflation), which has caused the adoption of lower numbers. Modern size 0 clothing, depending on brand and style, fits measurements of chest-stomach-hips from 30-22-32 inches (76-56-81 cm) to 33-25-35 inches (84-64-89 cm). Size 00 can be anywhere from 0.5 to 2 inches (1 to 5 cm) smaller than size 0. Size zero often refers to extremely thin individuals (especially women and adolescent girls), or trends associated with them.

Jump To:

Female Clothing Sizes Comparison Charts

Male Clothing Sizes Comparison Charts

Plus Size Clothing Comparison Charts

Chinese Measurements for Male, Female and Kids Clothing

International Hat Sizes

NOTE: These size charts are only a guide to finding your size comparison. Clothing and shoe sizes often differ between different clothing manufacturers and brands.

• French sizes are also used in Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
• British (UK) sizes are also used in Australia and New Zealand.
• German sizes are also used in Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

Information Regarding Women's Clothing Sizes

Women's sizes are divided into various types, depending on height. There are multiple size types, designed to fit somewhat different body shapes. Variations include the height of the person's torso (known as back length), whether the bust, waist, and hips are straighter (characteristic of teenagers) or curvier (like many adult women), and whether the bust is higher or lower (characteristic of younger and older women, respectively). These categories include:

• Misses sizes - The most common size category. For women of about average height (5'4") with an average bust height and an hourglass figure. Dress sizes may be given as girth at the bust in inches (e.g., 36), but even-numbered sizes from 2 to 16 are more common. Categorical sizes range from XS (extra-small) to XL (extra-large).
• Junior sizes - For short women with higher busts and fairly straight bodies. Junior sizes are commonly given as odd-numbered sizes from 1 to 15, which correspond to the next number up in misses' sizes.
• Women's sizes or plus sizes - For larger women of average height, sometimes with lower bust lines. Like misses' sizes, the sizes may be given as a dress size based on the bust measurement, but they are usually given as even-numbered sizes from 18 up. Categorical sizes usually range from 1X (similar to extra-large, but with slightly different proportions compared to the misses' size) up.
• Misses petite - For short women with average busts and more hourglass body shapes. Sizes follow the misses' standard and are marked with a P, as in 10P.
• Junior petite - For very short women with average busts and fairly straight bodies. Size may be denoted as "5JP" or as "5P".
• Women's petite - For larger, shorter women, sometimes with lower bust lines. Sizes are marked the same as women's with a P, as in 20P.
• Young junior - For short women with high busts and fairly straight bodies.
• Tall sizes - For taller women (usually 5'8" or above), usually with a proportionately average bust height and an hourglass figure. Sizes are usually written with the corresponding misses' size and a T to indicate tall, as in "10T".
• Half sizes - For short women with lower busts and more hourglass body shapes. Sizes are written with a 1/2, as in "10 1/2".

ISO Standards Related to Size Designation of Clothes

• ISO 3635:1981 Size designation of clothes - Definitions and body measurement procedure
• ISO 3636: 1977, Size designation of clothes - Men's and boys outerwear garments.
• ISO 3637: 1977, Size designation of clothes - Women's and girls outerwear garments.
• ISO 3638: 1977, Size designation of clothes - Infants garments.
• ISO 4415: 1981, Size designation of clothes - Mens and boys underwear, nightwear and shirts.
• ISO 4416: 1981, Size designation of clothes - Women's and girls' underwear, nightwear, foundation garments and shirts.
• ISO 4417: 1977, Size designation of clothes - Headwear.
• ISO 4418: 1978, Size designation of clothes - Gloves.
• ISO 5971: 1981, Size designation of clothes - Pantyhose.
• ISO 7070: 1982, Size designation of clothes - Hosiery.
• ISO 8559:1989 Garment construction and anthropometric surveys - Body dimensions
• ISO/TR 10652:1991 Standard sizing systems for clothes

European Standards Organization (CEN) Standards - Prefixed with a EN 13402

• EN 13402-1: Terms, definitions and body measurement procedure
• EN 13402-2: Primary and secondary dimensions
• EN 13402-3: Size designation of clothes. Body measurements and intervals (2004)
• EN 13402-4: Coding system (2006)

Australia

• L9 - Women's clothing - Apparel Manufacturers Association of NSW - 1959-1970
• AS1344-1972, 1975, 1997 Size coding scheme for women's clothing
• AS1182 - 1980 - Size coding scheme for infants and children's clothing

China

• GB 1335-81
• GB/T 1335.1-2008 Size designation of clothes - Men
• GB/T 1335.2-2008 Size designation of clothes - Women
• GB/T 1335.3-2008 Size designation of clothes - Children
• GB/T 2668-2002 Sizes for coats, jackets and trousers
• GB/T 14304-2002 Sizes for woolen garments

France

• AFNOR NF G 03-001 (1977) - Human body - Vocabulary - Pictogram;
• AFNOR EXP G 03-002 (1977) - Women Measures
• AFNOR EXP G 03-003 (1977) - Men Measures
• AFNOR EXP G 03-006 (1978) - Measures of babies and young children
• AFNOR EXP G 03-007 (1977) - Size designation of clothes for men, women and children
• AFNOR NF G 03-008 (1984) - Tights - Sizes - Designation - Marking

Germany

• DOB-Verband (1983)

Japan

• JIS L 4001 (1997) Sizing systems for infants' garments
• JIS L 4002 (1997) Sizing systems for boys' garments
• JIS L 4003 (1997) Sizing systems for girls' garments
• JIS L 4004 (1997) Sizing systems for men's garments
• JIS L 4005 (1997) Sizing systems for women's garments
• JIS L 4006 (1997) Sizing systems for foundation garments
• JIS L 4007 (1997) Sizing systems for Hosiery and Pantyhose

Korea

• KS K 0050 (2009) Men's wear
• KS K 0051 (2004) Women's wear
• KS K 0052 Infants
• KS K 0059 Headgear
• KS K 0070 Brassiere
• KS K 0037 Dress Shirts
• KS K 0088 Socks

Russian Federation

• GOST R 53230-2008 (ISO 4415-1981) Size designation of clothes. Men's and boy's underwear, nightwear and shirts

Thailand

• Wacoal (1981, 1987)

USA

• CS-151-50 - Infants, Babies, Toddlers and Children's clothing
• CS 215-58 - Women's Clothing (1958)
• PS 36-70 - Boys Clothing (1971)
• PS 42-70 Women's Clothing (1971)
• PS 45-71 - Young Men's clothing,
• PS 54-72 - Girls Clothing
• ASTM D5585-95, (2001)
• ASTM D6829-02, (2008)
• ASTM D5585-11, (2011)
• ASTM D6240-98,
• ASTM D6960-04, Women's Plus sized (2004)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure myself to use these conversion charts accurately?

Use a soft measuring tape to record your chest or bust, waist, hips, inseam, and foot length, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight. Comparing your actual body measurements to the charts is more reliable than trusting the label size you usually wear, since sizing varies widely between brands and countries.

Why does the same size fit differently from one brand to another?

Even within a single country, manufacturers use their own fit models and cut their patterns differently, so no two brands are guaranteed to match. This is why the charts should be treated as a guide, and why checking a brand's own size details before buying is always a good idea.

What should I do if my measurements fall between two sizes?

When you land between sizes, it is usually safer to choose the larger option, since a garment that is slightly big is easier to adjust or wear comfortably than one that is too tight. For fitted items you may also consider the fabric, as stretch materials allow more flexibility than rigid ones.

Are children's clothing sizes converted the same way as adult sizes?

No, children's sizes are usually based on age, height, or a combination of both rather than the same measurement systems used for adults. Because kids grow quickly and body proportions change, measuring the child's height and chest and comparing them to a specific chart gives a far better result than relying on age alone.

How can I convert a size that is not listed on the chart?

If your size is not shown, match your closest body measurement in centimeters or inches to the nearest value on the chart, since measurements are consistent across systems even when labels are not. For anything unusual or hard to place, contacting the retailer with your exact measurements is the most dependable approach.

Do fabric and garment stretch affect which size I should order?

Yes, stretchy or knit fabrics can fit a wider range of body measurements than woven or structured materials, so the same numerical size may feel very different depending on the cloth. When a garment has little or no stretch, it is wise to allow a little extra room rather than order your exact measurement.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: In a world where online shopping is increasingly common and clothing size standards remain inconsistent across countries and brands, having access to reliable conversion charts is more than just a convenience-it's a necessity. This resource stands out for its clarity and breadth, offering practical guidance for everyone, from frequent travelers and international shoppers to caregivers and individuals with specific fit requirements. Such accessible information not only streamlines the shopping process but also supports greater independence and comfort for people who may face additional challenges in finding well-fitting clothing.

Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.