How to Convert Between US and European Clothing Sizes: The Complete Guide
Author: Stylist and brand team at Tellar
Date: 2025
The Tellar Fashion Hub is the UK's Largest, 100% Free, Fully searchable, Fashion Library.
Filled with 4000+ Honest & Unbiased posts, written by our expert stylists.
No adverts, no sponsored posts, no subscriptions. We are 100% free to use.
We are paid by affiliates, but we never allow brands to influence our recommendations.
Honest, Unbiased, Accurate & Free.
Navigating clothing sizes across countries can be confusing—especially between the US and Europe, where sizing systems are fundamentally different. Whether you're shopping for clothes while travelling, browsing international brands online, or checking out European fashion labels in the US, knowing how to convert clothing sizes accurately is essential to avoid returns, disappointment, or wardrobe mishaps.
This guide explains everything you need to know about converting US and European clothing sizes for women’s wear, men’s wear, and footwear, including charts, brand inconsistencies, and practical tools to shop smarter.
1. Why Sizing Conversion Is So Complicated
Unlike universal measurements like centimetres or inches, clothing sizes differ by region, gender, brand, and product type. In particular:
-
US sizing is based on body measurements in inches but is not consistent across brands.
-
European sizing uses a different numerical scale, typically derived from chest circumference (in cm) or standardised dress blocks.
-
Sizing varies by country even within Europe (e.g., France vs Italy), though a general “EU” size system is used by many brands.
These differences mean a size 8 US is not the same as a size 8 in France, Germany, or the UK.
2. Women’s Clothing Size Conversion: US vs Europe
Here’s a general comparison chart for women's clothing sizes:
US Size |
EU Size |
UK Size |
|---|---|---|
2 |
32 |
6 |
4 |
34 |
8 |
6 |
36 |
10 |
8 |
38 |
12 |
10 |
40 |
14 |
12 |
42 |
16 |
14 |
44 |
18 |
16 |
46 |
20 |
18 |
48 |
22 |
🟡 Note: Some Italian brands (like Max Mara or Versace) run smaller than French or German brands. Always check the brand’s own size guide or use a tool like Tellar to match your measurements.
3. Men’s Clothing Size Conversion: US vs Europe
Men’s sizing differs in that Europe tends to label chest and waist measurements in centimetres, whereas US sizing uses alpha labels (S/M/L) or inches.
Men’s Shirt & Jacket Sizes:
US Size |
EU Size (Chest in cm) |
Alpha |
|---|---|---|
34 |
44 |
XS |
36 |
46 |
S |
38 |
48 |
M |
40 |
50 |
L |
42 |
52 |
XL |
44 |
54 |
XXL |
Men’s Trousers/Pants:
US Waist (inches) |
EU Size (Waist in cm) |
|---|---|
28 |
44 |
30 |
46 |
32 |
48 |
34 |
50 |
36 |
52 |
38 |
54 |
Again, actual garment fit may vary by tailoring (slim fit vs regular), brand, and country of origin.
4. Shoe Size Conversion: US vs Europe
Footwear sizes are a common source of confusion. A US women’s 8 isn’t the same as an EU 38 or UK 6—it typically converts like this:
Women’s Shoe Size:
US |
EU |
UK |
|---|---|---|
5 |
35–36 |
3 |
6 |
36–37 |
4 |
7 |
37–38 |
5 |
8 |
38–39 |
6 |
9 |
39–40 |
7 |
10 |
40–41 |
8 |
Men’s Shoe Size:
US |
EU |
UK |
|---|---|---|
7 |
40 |
6.5 |
8 |
41 |
7.5 |
9 |
42 |
8.5 |
10 |
43 |
9.5 |
11 |
44 |
10.5 |
12 |
45 |
11.5 |
💡 Tip: Shoe sizing often varies most due to width and shape (especially for heels or boots), so conversions are best treated as estimates, not guarantees.
5. Why Most Size Charts Don’t Work
Most online size charts offer general guidance—but they assume consistent cuts across garments, which isn’t true. Key challenges include:
-
Vanity sizing: Especially in the US, where sizes have grown larger over time for the same body.
-
Fabric stretch and tailoring: Stretch fabrics or oversized silhouettes fit differently.
-
Brand cut: Brands like Zara, Mango or Reformation cut narrow and short; brands like Massimo Dutti or Boden often run larger.
-
Measurement method mismatch: A size 10 on one chart may assume a 38” bust, while another assumes 36”.
6. Tellar.co.uk: Accurate Sizing Across Borders & Brands
Instead of guessing your EU size when shopping a French label or estimating a US 6 in a UK brand, use Tellar.co.uk—the UK’s most accurate and intelligent sizing tool.
How it works:
-
🔍 Match your actual body shape using three simple measurements: bust, waist and hips—or use a brand/size you already know.
-
🧵 Get your exact size recommendation in over 1,500 brands, including US favourites (Everlane, Levi’s, Madewell) and EU labels (Arket, COS, Mango).
-
🔄 No more conversions or returns—your Tellar profile matches you to the brand’s real sizing system.
-
💡 See how different brands cut—whether they run small, large or true-to-size.
It’s free, browser-based, and works instantly. No downloads, no sign-up spam—just sizing clarity.
7. Bonus Tools: Tellar Fashion Hub
Struggling with in-between sizes? Unsure if you’re a size 6 in COS but a 10 in Next?
Head to the free Tellar Fashion Hub—a growing library of factual, unbiased posts by industry stylists. Some essentials include:
Each post is honest, technical, brand-specific and totally free.
8. Final Tips for Cross-Border Shopping
-
Always read the brand’s individual size chart but treat it with caution—use Tellar instead if available.
-
Look at customer reviews and photos for reference.
-
Watch for return policies—especially on international orders.
-
Stick to brands you’ve sized in before—or use Tellar’s size memory.
Conclusion
Converting US and European clothing sizes isn’t as simple as a number swap—it involves understanding different systems, body measurements, and brand quirks. Skip the confusion by using Tellar.co.uk to convert, calculate, and compare your size across over 1,500 brands instantly.
Start Now
Follow Tellar for daily tips & styling support:
-
Instagram: @Tellarsizing
-
Twitter/X: @TellarSizing
-
Facebook: Tellar Sizing
-
Pinterest: TellarSizing