Jeans Size Comparison Explained: UK, USA, Europe, Inches & Brand Variations

Author: Tellar Styling Team

Date: July 15, 2025

Disclaimer: All content is independently written by Tellar.co.uk. No brand affiliations. Always honest, always free.

Jeans sizing is one of the most confusing aspects of modern shopping. Waist inches, letter sizes, international conversions, vanity sizing, and different brand fits all combine to make finding the perfect pair a frustrating experience. Whether you shop in the UK, USA or Europe, understanding how jeans sizing works—and why it varies—is essential.

This technical, fact-driven guide breaks it all down:

What each sizing system means
How to convert between UK, US, EU and waist inch sizes
Why sizing differs so much across brands
How to find your exact fit with Tellar.co.uk, the UK’s leading size-matching tool

Let’s demystify denim once and for all.

1. The 3 Main Jeans Sizing Systems Explained

🔹 Waist Inch Sizing (e.g. 28", 30", 32")

Common in men’s jeans globally and increasingly in women’s US and UK premium denim
Number refers to waist circumference in inches
Often paired with leg length: W28 L30, W30 L32, etc.
Can be inaccurate—brands add ease, so a W28 might actually measure 30” at the waist

🔹 Alpha Sizing (XS–XL / UK 6–20 / US 2–16)

Most common in UK women’s high street jeans
Based on generalised dress sizing
Each label defines the waist/hip range differently (a UK 10 can be a US 6 or EU 38)
More prone to vanity sizing and brand variation

🔹 European Sizing (e.g. 34, 36, 38…)

Used across the EU, especially in France, Italy, and Spain
Usually 6 sizes ahead of UK sizing:
- UK 8 = EU 36
- UK 10 = EU 38
- UK 12 = EU 40
Still not standardised—French vs Italian fits vary dramatically

2. UK vs US vs EU Size Conversion Chart

UK Size	US Size	EU Size	Jeans Waist (approx. inches)
6	2	34	24–25"
8	4	36	26–27"
10	6	38	28–29"
12	8	40	30–31"
14	10	42	32–33"
16	12	44	34–35"
18	14	46	36–37"
20	16	48	38–39"

⚠️ Note: Many high street jeans will fit larger than these “true” waist inch equivalents. That’s vanity sizing in action.

3. What’s Vanity Sizing in Jeans?

Vanity sizing is when brands deliberately label larger items with smaller sizes to make customers feel better.

A Zara UK 10 might have a true waist of 27"
A Next UK 10 might be 30"
A Reiss W28 might measure 29"

There’s no legal or industry-wide regulation—brands define sizes based on their own fit models.

4. Low-Rise vs Mid-Rise vs High-Rise Impact on Fit

Your jeans rise changes how waist sizing fits:

Low-rise jeans sit 2–3” below the navel—measuring the hip bones, not natural waist
Mid-rise jeans sit at or just below the navel—most common today
High-rise jeans sit at the smallest part of the waist—usually true waist measurement

A 28" waist high-rise jean fits smaller than a 28" low-rise jean.

5. Stretch Content Affects Size Fit

Jeans made with elastane (usually 1–3%) will stretch 1–1.5 inches with wear. A non-stretch rigid denim will feel tighter and may need sizing up.

Tip:

If buying high-stretch jeans, go for a snug fit at first—they will relax
If buying raw or rigid denim, size up for comfort unless you want a body-moulded fit

6. Best-Fitting Jeans by Body Shape

Use waist-to-hip ratio rather than just waist for accuracy. Tellar’s Fit Library offers full recommendations, but here’s a quick guide:

Hourglass: High-rise jeans with stretch; avoid gapping waistbands
Pear-shaped: Bootcut or straight-leg; choose jeans with hip-friendly cuts like Levi’s Wedgie Fit or M&S Ivy
Apple-shaped: Mid-rise jeans with wide waistband and tummy control
Athletic/rectangle: Boyfriend, straight or barrel leg to add shape

7. Sizing Differences by Brand

UK High Street

Brand	Known For	Sizing Notes
M&S	Classic fit, true UK sizing	Generous on hips
Next	Vanity sizing	UK 10 fits closer to a US 8
Topshop	Trendy cuts	Run narrow at hips
River Island	Curvy friendly	Mid-rise cuts more generous

USA Brands

Brand	Known For	Sizing Notes
Levi’s	True waist sizing	Check fit guide for each style (501 vs 721)
Madewell	Size-inclusive, curve options	Runs true to US sizing
AGOLDE	Premium denim	W28 = closer to UK 10
Everlane	Ethical basics	Waist sizing but leg cut may vary

8. Do Men’s and Women’s Jeans Sizes Match?

No. Men’s jeans use waist x leg (e.g. W30 L32) but:

Men’s W30 is usually 30" actual waist
Women’s W30 is often vanity sized—fits 32"+

Plus, men’s cuts assume straighter hips and longer rise; women’s cuts are more curved and lower in the back rise.

9. Finding the Right Fit: How Tellar.co.uk Solves the Problem

Tellar.co.uk is the UK’s leading jeans size tool, matching your exact body measurements—or your best-fitting pair of jeans—to the right size in over 1,500 brands. No more conversion charts, guesswork, or disappointment.

How It Works:

Measure once: bust, waist, hips—or just tell us what jeans fit you best.
Use the Store Size Lookup Tool to instantly get your best size in Levi’s, Arket, M&S, COS, Everlane, and more.
We cross-reference your data with brand-specific charts and real-world fit feedback.

✔️ Always accurate

✔️ Always unbiased

✔️ Always free

10. Get Started with Tellar.co.uk

🟢 Create your free profile

🟢 Use the Store Size Lookup

🟢 Download a free printable measuring tape

No apps. No downloads. All in-browser.

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”

Explore More on Jeans & Sizing

From petite to tall, rigid to stretch, Tellar’s Fashion Hub has 1,900+ unbiased posts:

Follow Tellar for Daily Fit Advice

📸 Instagram: @Tellarsizing

🐦 Twitter/X: @Tellar100

📌 Pinterest: TellarUK

📘 Facebook: Tellar Sizing

Still confused about jeans sizing? Let Tellar.co.uk match your body to your best fit—no size charts needed.