Why are clothing sizes different between countries?

Each country historically developed its own sizing standards based on different reference populations and measurement conventions, and brands have never agreed to standardize internationally. That's why a US 8 dress is a UK 12 and an EU 40 — they're all describing roughly the same body measurements with different labels.

Are size charts accurate across all brands?

No. Size charts are a general guide only — fast-fashion and luxury brands in particular can vary by a full size or more from the standard charts. The most reliable approach is to know your actual body measurements in inches or centimetres rather than relying on a size label.

What's the best way to keep track of sizes for shopping internationally?

Record real measurements (bust, waist, inseam, foot length) rather than size labels, since labels don't translate cleanly across borders. An app like Size Notes lets you store these once per person and reference them anywhere in the world.

The Complete Clothing Size Chart Guide: US, UK, EU & More

A US size 8 dress is a UK size 12 and an EU size 40. A US men's large is different from a European large. And "one size fits all" fits almost nobody. International clothing sizing is a mess — here's the definitive guide to make sense of it.

Women's Clothing: US, UK, EU, AU

US	UK	EU	AU	Bust (in)	Waist (in)
0	4	32	4	31–32	23–24
2	6	34	6	32–33	24–25
4	8	36	8	33–34	25–26
6	10	38	10	34–35	26–27
8	12	40	12	35–36	27–28
10	14	42	14	36–37	28–29
12	16	44	16	38–39	30–31
14	18	46	18	40–41	32–33
16	20	48	20	42–43	34–35

Measurements are approximate. Always check the brand's specific size chart.

Men's Clothing: US / UK / EU

Men's clothing sizing is slightly more consistent internationally, but still not uniform — especially for tailored items.

Tops & Shirts

US / UK	EU	Chest (in)	Waist (in)
XS	44	34–35	28–29
S	46–48	36–37	30–31
M	50–52	38–40	32–33
L	54–56	42–44	34–36
XL	58	46–48	38–40
XXL	60–62	50–52	42–44

Trousers / Pants

Men's trousers are usually sized by waist and inseam in inches (e.g., 32×30). European sizing uses centimetres. Conversion:

US/UK Waist (in)	EU Waist (cm)
28	71
30	76
32	81
34	86
36	91
38	97
40	102

Shoe Sizes: US, UK, EU, CM

Women's Shoes

US	UK	EU	CM
5	2.5	35	22
6	3.5	36	23
7	4.5	37	24
8	5.5	38.5	25
9	6.5	40	26
10	7.5	41	27

Men's Shoes

US	UK	EU	CM
6	5.5	39	24
7	6	40	25
8	7	41	26
9	8	42	27
10	9	43	27.5
11	10	44	28.5
12	11	45	29.5

For the full breakdown including half sizes and kids' shoes, see our shoe size conversion guide.

Children's Clothing: US / UK / EU

Age	US	UK	EU	Height (cm)
0–3m	0–3m	0–3m	56–62	50–62
6–12m	6–12m	6–12m	74	68–74
1–2y	12–24m	12–24m	86	80–92
2–3y	2T	2–3y	92	92–98
4–5y	4T	4–5y	104	98–110
6–7y	6	6–7y	116	110–122
8–9y	8	8–9y	128	122–134
10–11y	10	10–11y	140	134–146

Age is a rough guide. Height and weight measurements are more reliable for children — see our kids' clothing size guide for a full breakdown.

The Best Way to Never Get It Wrong

Size charts are helpful, but they're only as good as the measurements you put into them. The most reliable approach is to record actual measurements — in centimetres or inches — rather than relying on size labels.

That's exactly what Size Notes is built for. You enter real measurements once per person, and whether you're shopping in New York, London, or Tokyo, you always have the right numbers at your fingertips.

The Complete Clothing Size Chart Guide: US, UK, EU & More 📐