How do I convert inches to cm for clothing?

Multiply inches by 2.54. For example, a 36-inch bust = 91.4 cm. Use the cm/in toggle in this calculator to switch units automatically.

Clothing Size Converter — US, UK, EU, IT, AU, FR, JP

Clothing Size Converter

Convert between US, UK, EU, Italian, Australian, French, and Japanese sizes — for women, men, and kids. Enter measurements for a confidence-matched recommendation.

Gender

Choose Gender & Category

Select Women, Men, or Kids, then pick Tops, Bottoms, or Dresses. The size chart and measurement fields update automatically.

Convert by Size or Measurement

Either select your known size from a dropdown, or enter your bust/waist/hip measurements in inches or cm for a measurement-matched result.

Read Your Results

The confidence badge (green/amber/red) tells you how well your measurements match. A gold bar on the chart highlights your size across all 7 systems.

Save & Share

Save your measurements to a profile for one-click future lookups, or share a URL that pre-fills all your settings for teammates or shopping partners.

Key Formulas

EU ≈ US + 30–32 (women's tops)

European sizes run 30–32 numbers higher than equivalent US sizes. US 8 → EU 38, US 10 → EU 40. Bottoms use a different offset.

Confidence = weighted match score (bust · waist · hip)

Each measurement within a size range scores +2. Within ±1 unit of the boundary scores +1. Outside scores −1. Normalized to 0–100.

1 in = 2.54 cm

All internal data stored in inches. The cm/in toggle converts input values and display ranges in real-time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a US size 12 in EU?

A US women's size 12 is typically equivalent to EU size 42–44. The general formula is EU ≈ US + 30 for tops and tops-dresses, but this varies by brand. Measuring your bust (36–38") and checking the brand's actual size chart is the most reliable approach.

Is UK size the same as US size?

No. UK women's numeric sizes are typically 4 numbers lower than US equivalents — US 8 = UK 12. Letter sizes (S, M, L) are generally the same between US and UK, though fit may differ slightly due to different body proportion assumptions used in pattern grading.

Why do the same measurements give different sizes in different brands?

There is no universal clothing size standard. Each brand builds its size chart around a specific fit model — their target customer's proportions. A size 8 at J.Crew fits differently than H&M or Zara. This is why body measurements in inches or centimeters are always more reliable than size labels when cross-shopping brands.

How do I measure myself accurately?

Use a soft measuring tape. Bust: fullest part of the chest, tape parallel to floor, arms relaxed. Waist: narrowest part of the torso, 1–2 inches above navel, exhale gently. Hip: fullest part, 7–9 inches below waist, feet together. Measure twice — small errors compound across conversions.

How do Japanese clothing sizes compare to US?

Japanese women's clothing uses numeric equivalents (5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) that run 2–3 sizes smaller than US. A US M (size 8–10) is roughly Japanese 11–13. Japanese XL is approximately US S–M. Always size up and check the brand's specific measurements in cm.

What is the confidence badge in this calculator?

The confidence badge shows how well your entered body measurements match the suggested size's defined range. Green "Perfect Fit" means your measurements are centered within the size band. Amber "Between Sizes" means one or more measurements are near a boundary — the sister sizes card shows adjacent options. Red "Out of Range" means no size fits well based on the entered measurements.

When should I pick Fitted vs. Relaxed fit preference?

Choose Fitted when you want form-fitting silhouettes, stretch fabrics, or you tend to prefer the smaller size when between two. Choose Relaxed for casual wear, stiff wovens (linen, denim), layered outerwear, or when you prefer ease of movement. Regular is the default and picks the best direct match without shifting.

What is vanity sizing?

Vanity sizing is the practice of relabeling larger garments with smaller size numbers — making customers feel they wear a smaller size without actual measurement changes. US sizing has drifted significantly since the 1950s: a modern US size 8 fits the measurements that were a US size 14 in the 1950s. This is also why vintage clothing runs much smaller than modern equivalents.

Why doesn't Australian sizing match EU or US exactly?

Australian sizing uses the same numeric values as US sizes but corresponds to UK size equivalents. AU 12 = US 8 = UK 12. Australia officially adopted a clothing standard in the 1970s based on UK sizing. However, global brands selling in Australia often use their own international charts, so always verify with the specific retailer.

How do men's bottoms sizes work internationally?

US and UK men's pants use waist size in inches (e.g., 32×32 means 32" waist, 32" inseam). EU sizes use waist circumference in centimeters — EU 42 ≈ US/UK 32". Italian (IT) adds a small offset. Japanese sizing uses centimeter waist measurements labeled differently (e.g., JP 76 ≈ US 32"). Always check the waist measurement in cm for the most direct comparison.

What is plus size in different countries?

Plus size definitions vary globally. In the US, plus typically begins at size 14–16 (W sizes or 1X). UK plus generally starts at size 20. EU plus sizes begin around EU 46–48. Many brands now use extended sizing without a separate plus designation, integrating all sizes into one continuous range.

Why do my measurements fall in different sizes for tops vs. bottoms?

This is extremely common. Most people's bodies don't match the proportions assumed by standard sizing patterns. If you have a larger bust relative to your waist, you may be a different size in tops vs. bottoms. The calculator handles this by evaluating tops and bottoms with separate measurement keys (bust for tops, waist/hip for bottoms).

Key Terms Explained

Bust Measurement

Circumference of the fullest part of the chest, measured horizontally across the nipples with arms relaxed and tape parallel to the floor.

Waist Measurement

Circumference at the natural waist — the narrowest part of the torso, typically 1–2 inches above the navel.

Hip Measurement

Circumference at the fullest part of the hips, usually 7–9 inches below the waist. Stand with feet together for accuracy.

Vanity Sizing

The practice of labeling larger garments with smaller size numbers. US sizes have shifted significantly since the 1950s — a modern US 8 was a 1950s US 14.

Sister Sizes

Adjacent sizes with the same or similar body volume but different proportions. If between sizes, a sister size may provide a better fit than the midpoint size.

Confidence Score

This calculator's measure of how well your entered body measurements fall within a given size's defined measurement range. Green = center of range, Amber = near boundary, Red = no match.

Worked Examples

Example 1

US Women's M — Shopping in Europe

Bust: 36 in, Waist: 28 in → US M, EU 40-42

Result: Order EU 40 for tops, EU 42 if the brand runs small (e.g. Zara).

Example 2

Men's L Converting to EU

Chest: 40–41.5 in → US L, EU 50-51, IT 50-51

Result: EU 50 shirt will fit. Check shoulder seam measurement for tailored fit.

Example 3

Buying Kids' Clothing from UK Brand

Child aged 6, height 44 in → US S(6-7), UK 5-6yr, EU 110-116

Result: Order UK "5-6yr" or EU "110/116" label. Check chest measurement — tall kids may need larger.

International Clothing Sizes: A Complete Guide

Clothing size standards vary dramatically across the world, making international online shopping a consistent source of frustration and expensive return shipping. A US size 8 is not a UK size 8, an EU size 38, or an Asian medium — and even within countries, brand-to-brand variation can span a full size or two. Understanding how sizing systems work gives you the tools to shop confidently and avoid costly mistakes.

How US Sizing Works

US women's clothing uses a numeric system (0, 2, 4, 6, 8…) historically based on measurements standardized by the National Bureau of Standards in 1958. Today, manufacturers set their own standards. Vanity sizing has inflated what sizes mean — a modern US size 8 corresponds to measurements that were size 14 in the 1950s. This is why vintage clothing runs far smaller than modern equivalents. Men's sizing is more logical: shirts labeled by neck size (15, 15.5") and chest, pants by waist and inseam — but even here, brands vary.

European vs. US Sizing

European sizing uses a continuous numeric scale based on centimeter measurements. Women's EU sizes typically run 30–32 higher than US equivalents (US 8 ≈ EU 38). Men's EU sizes reflect chest circumference in centimeters — EU 50 corresponds roughly to a US L with a 40" chest. Different European countries maintain variants: Italian sizes add a further offset, and French sizes can differ slightly. Always confirm against the specific brand's published chart when purchasing from EU retailers.

Asian and International Sizing

Japanese clothing traditionally uses small numerical equivalents (5, 7, 9, 11, 13) for women, running substantially smaller than US sizing. An XL from a Japanese brand may be a US or EU medium. Korean sizing tends to be similar. Australian sizing is close to UK sizing but uses the same numbers as US sizing — AU 12 = US 8 = UK 12. When buying from any Asian brand without a clear Western calibration note, size up 1–2 sizes as a starting point, then reference their specific size chart measurements.

Fit Preference and Sister Sizes

Beyond matching a size range, how a garment fits depends on the fabric and intended silhouette. For fitted cuts and stretch fabrics, choosing the smaller of two adjacent sizes produces a cleaner silhouette. For relaxed fits, stiff wovens, or layered outerwear, go larger. Sister sizes — adjacent sizes with the same body volume — are useful when your measurements straddle two size bands. If your bust measures S and your waist measures M, the sister sizes card in this calculator shows both options so you can decide based on which measurement matters most for that garment type.