How to Convert Asian Sizes to the US, UK & EU Sizes (2024)

If you've ever tried to buy clothes online from Asia, then you know that sizing can be confusing since Asian clothing sizes generally run smaller compared to international sizes.

Figuring out your Asian size and how it corresponds with sizes in the US, UK, and EU can be a real puzzle—especially if you haven't done it before.

China, the largest exporter of the clothing industry, gained a market value of $146 billion in 2021.

So, knowing how to convert Asian sizes into US, UK, and EU sizes is a must if you want to participate in the international trade of apparel.

In this article, we'll help decode the mystery of Asian sizing by providing you with helpful size charts so that you can match up your measurements correctly.

We took our time to provide you with up-to-date information, so let's begin!

What does Asian size mean?

Asian size refers to the standard sizing system used for clothing and shoes designed to fit the typical body measurements of people in Asian countries.

This includes measurements for the bust, waist, and hips for clothing, as well as length and width for shoes.

Asian size conversion means the sizing guideline that is considered standard for Asians and is used for measuring the differences with other countries.

A size conversion chart helps importers understand the differences when those products are produced for global clients.

Asian Size to US, UK, and EU Sizes for men

Let's simplify this process for men's clothing and shoes, so you can shop with confidence.

Men's clothing

When it comes to men's clothing, size differences can be significant, which is why size conversion is so important.

That said, no matter the size difference, having the essential body parts measured can save you a lot of hassle.

Globally, sizes like S, M, and L differ, but the measuring process is the same. The body measurements remain consistent even though body stature varies.

Here are the key measurements for men's clothing:

• Neck. Around the base of the neck, allowing for a loose fit.
• Sleeve. From the middle of the back of the neck to the wrist bone. 
• Chest. The circumference of the chest from under the armpits.
• Waist. Around the narrow part of the waistline. 
• Inside leg measurement (Inseam). From where the leg starts to the ankle.

Analyzing this information helps you understand the physical differences among different countries. This way, you can determine which sizes will fit your target audience when importing from Asia.

Still, it's often wise to purchase larger sizes from Asia to ensure a proper fit.

For example, here’s a comparison of a size L male top (shirt, t-shirt, etc.) between Asian and American measurements, based on the Nike size chart:

Measurement	Asia	US
Chest (in.)	38 - 40.5	41 - 44
Waist (in.)	33.5 - 36	35 - 38
Hip (in.)	38 - 40	41 - 44

Note: Clothing measurement will vary depending on the type. For example, undergarments require additional measurements.

Now, here is the conversion chart of male clothes from Asian sizes to US, UK, and EU sizes:

Asia	US	UK	EU
XS	34/27	34	2XS 44
S	38/28-29	36	XS 46
M	39/30-31	38	S 48
L	40/32-33	40	M 50
XL	42/34-35	42	L 52
2XL	44/36-37	44	XL 54

Men's shoes

To convert shoe sizes accurately, you need to know your users' foot measurements. Here's how to measure feet for the correct shoe size:

• Take a piece of paper larger than your foot and place your foot on it.
• Using a ruler or measuring tape, measure the length from the heel to the tip of the longest toe.
• Add 0.5 inches to the length to ensure a comfortable fit.

It's also recommended to take foot measurements at night when your foot is at its largest size.

Here's the shoe size conversion list for men:

		Asia			Length (Heel to Toe)	US	UK	EU
China	Vietnam	India	Japan	S. Korea	-	-	-	-
34	21.5	2.5	21	210	21 cm	3	N/A	34.5
34.5	22	3	21.5	215	21.5 cm	3.5	3	35
35	22.5	3.5	22	220	22 cm	4	3.5	35.5
35.5	23	4	22.5	225	22.5 cm	4.5	4	36
36	23.5	4.5	23	230	23 cm	5	4.5	37
36.5	24	5	23.5	235	23.5 cm	5.5	5	37.5
37	24.5	5.5	24	240	24 cm	6	5.5	38
37.5	25	6	24.5	245	24.5 cm	6.5	6	38.5
38	25.5	5.5	25	250	25 cm	7	6.5	39
38.5	26	7	25.5	255	25.5 cm	7.5	7	40
39	26.5	7.5	26	260	26 cm	8	7.5	41
39.5	27	8	26.5	265	26.5 cm	8.5	8	42
40	27.5	8.5	27	270	27 cm	9	8.5	43
40.5	28	9	27.5	275	27.5 cm	9.5	9	43.5
41	28.5	9.5	28	280	28 cm	10	9.5	44
41.5	29	10	28.5	285	28.5 cm	10.5	10	44.5
42	29.5	10.5	29	290	29 cm	11	10.5	45
42.5	30	11	29.5	295	29.5 cm	11.5	11	45.5
43	30.5	11.5	30	300	30 cm	12	11.5	46

Asian Size to US, UK, and EU sizes for women

In this section, we'll break down how to convert Asian sizes for women's clothing and shoes, making your shopping experience seamless and stress-free.

Women's clothes

There are four main body parts to measure for women's clothing:

• Bust. Under the arms, the circumference of the full bust. 
• Waist. The narrow part of the waist.
• Hip. The fullest part of the hip.
• Leg. From the top of the leg to the angle.

Here’s an example of an M-size women's top (shirt, t-shirt, etc.) measurement difference between Asian and American sizes, based on the Nike size chart:

Measurement	Asia	US
Bust (in.)	33.5-35	35.5-38
Waist (in.)	28-29.5	29-31.5
Hip (in.)	36.5-38	38.5-41

However, the conversion size of women's clothing can be puzzling depending on the country of your target audience.

For example, while letter systems like S, M, L, and XL are universal, the EU uses a number system relating to actual measurements (e.g., 30, 32, 34, etc.).

In the US, women's clothing sizes are based on various body proportions:

• Misses. Sizes start from zero and go up to 16, ranging from extra small to large; designed for American women with hourglass-shaped bodies.
• Junior. Sizes are in odd numbers (e.g., 1, 3, 5) and are slightly smaller than Misses; for women with a smaller bust.
• Petite and Tall. These terms relate to height rather than body shape. Petite is for women up to 5'4", and Tall is for women over 5'7".
• Plus size/Women's size. For larger sizes, typically 18 and above. The definition of plus size can vary.

To avoid confusion, it’s best to check with suppliers about clothing conversions.

On that note, here is the women's clothing size conversion chart:

Asia	US	UK	EU
XS	2	4	2XS 32
S	4	6	XS 34
M	6	8	S 36
L	8	10	M 38
XL	10	12	L 40
2XL	12	14	XL 42

Women's shoes

Like women's clothing, women's foot to has size differences, such as women's shoe measurement in the US is five to 10.5; in the UK is between three to eight, and in Europe, 5.5 to 42. 

Here's the shoe size conversion chart of Asian women to the US, the UK, and EU women:

		Asia			Length (Heel to Toe)	US	UK	EU
China	Vietnam	India	Japan	S. Korea	-	-	-	-
35	21	2	22	220	22 cm	4	3.5	36.5
35.5	21.5	2.5	22.5	225	22.5 cm	4.5	4	37
36	22	3	23	230	23 cm	5	4.5	37.5
36.5	22.5	3.5	23.5	235	23.5 cm	5.5	5	38
37	23	4	24	240	24 cm	6	5.5	39
37.5	23.5	4.5	24.5	245	24.5 cm	6.5	6	40
38	24	5	25	250	25 cm	7	6.5	40.5
38.5	24.5	5.5	25.5	255	25.5 cm	7.5	7	41
39	25	6	26	260	26 cm	8	7.5	41.5
39.5	25.5	6.5	26.5	265	26.5 cm	8.5	8	42
40	26	7	27	270	27 cm	9	8.5	42.5

Asian Size to US, UK, and EU Sizes for children

Let's find out US, UK, and EU sizes for children's clothing and shoes below:

Children's clothes

Measuring baby clothes is relatively simple, as babies don't develop much physically until a certain age.

Hence, the UK and US measure clothing based on children's age, while in Europe, the clothes are measured based on the child's height in centimeters.

In the US, the clothing size of newborns and toddlers is measured by weight in pounds and height in inches.

Here's a chart for converting baby clothing sizes. The letter 'T' in the US means 'Toddler.' 

	Asia		US (month)	UK (month)	EU (cm)
China (cm)	Japan (cm)	Korea (Ibs)	-	-	-
105	100	7	4T	3-4	98-104
115	110	9	5	4-5	104-110
115	110	9	6	5-6	110-116
125	120	11	6X-7	6-7	116-122
125	120	13	7 to 8	7-8	122-128
135	130	13	9 to 10	8-9	128-134
145	140	15	10	9-10	134-140
155	150	17	11	10-11	140-146 cm
165	160	17	14	11-12	146-152 cm

Clothing measurements become more specific for older children as they develop distinct physical attributes, requiring separate measurements for boys and girls. These measurements include chest, waist, hips, inseam, and height.

In the US and UK, girls' clothing sizes are typically based on age, whereas in Europe, sizes are based on height in centimeters.

Age	US (age)		UK (age)		EU (cm)
-	Boy	Girl	Boy	Girl	Boy	Girl
4-5	5	5	4-5	4-5	104-110	104-110
5-6	6	6	5-6	5-6	110-116	110-116
6-7	6X-7	6X-7	6-7	6-7	116-122	116-122
7-8	7 to 8	7 to 8	7-8	7-8	122-128	122-128
8-9	9 to 10	9 to 10	8-9	8-9	128-134	128-134
9-10	10	10	9-10	9-10	134-140	134-140
10-11	11	11	10-11	10-11	140-146	140-146
11-12	14	14	11-12	11-12	146-152	146-152

Children’s shoes

When it comes to converting kids' shoe sizes, there's generally no difference based on gender or size. However, most countries categorize baby shoes based on age groups, such as newborns and toddlers.

In the US, babies' shoe sizes range from 0C to 10C (newborn to 4 years old), and youth shoe sizes range from 1Y to 7Y (one year to seven years old).

Here's a baby shoe size chart based on the baby's foot in inches and centimeters:

Foot length in inches	Foot length in CM	US	UK	EU
5"	12.7 cm	5C	4.5	20.5
5 1/4"	13.3 cm	6C	5.5	21.5
5 5/8"	14.2 cm	7C	6.5	23
6"	15.0 cm	8C	7.5	24.5
6 1/4"	15.7 cm	9C	8.5	25.5
6 5/8"	16.6 cm	10C	9.5	27
6 7/8"	17.3 cm	11C	10.5	28
7 1/8"	17.9 cm	12C	11.5	29
7 3/8"	18.8 cm	13C	12.5	30.5
7 5/8"	19.5 cm	1Y	13.5	31.5
8"	20.4 cm	2Y	1.5	33
8 3/8"	21.3 cm	3Y	2.5	34.5

Children's shoe sizes start to differ slightly as they grow older. Here is the shoe conversion chart for children aged 12 and up:

Foot length in inches	Foot length in CM	US	UK	EU
6.625"	16.8	10.5	9.5	27
6.75"	17.1	11	10	28
7"	17.8	11.5	10.5	29
7.125"	18.1	12	11	30
7.25"	18.4	12.5	11.5	30
7.5"	19.1	13	12	31
7.625"	19.4	13.5	12.5	31
7.75"	19.7	1	13	32
8"	20.3	1.5	14	33
8.125"	20.6	2	1	33
8.25"	21	2.5	1.5	34
8.5"	21.6	3	2	34
8.625"	21.9	3.5	2.5	35
8.75"	22.2	4	3	36
9"	22.9	4.5	3.5	36
9.125"	23.2	5	4	37
9.25"	23.5	5.5	4.5	37
9.5"	24.1	6	5	38
9.625"	24.4	6.5	5.5	38
9.75"	24.8	7	6	39

How do you pick the right conversion size, Asian to the US, UK, and EU size?

Selecting the correct conversion size ensures you have the right products, can meet clients' expectations, and cut down the number of returns. 

Here's how you can effectively pick the right conversion size:

1. Get a size conversion chart from your suppliers

As Asian clothes and shoes tend to be smaller than those of the US, the UK, and the EU, the best thing to do is ask your shoe and clothing product suppliers for the conversion chart. 

2. Use a size chart app

If you’re dropshipping or running an online store, size chart apps like the Shopify size chart app can be incredibly useful for size conversion.

These apps often come with features that help automate and simplify the process.

3. Make sure your charts are clear and comprehensive

In addition to providing a detailed size chart, make the chart user-friendly, especially if you have an international audience.

Consider including:

• Actual measurements. Include the exact measurements of garments or shoes instead of relying solely on general size classifications. This allows customers to compare the chart with their own measurements and select the correct size.
• Multiple conversions. If you have an international audience, including size options like Japanese, Indian, European, and UK sizes can help reduce confusion and improve customer satisfaction.

Summary

Before we go to the conclusion, we've created a quick summary of this article for you, so you can easily remember it:

• Knowing standards is good, but knowing a specific country's standard is a better approach when importing from any Asian country. So, before getting started, study the sizing of the items carefully. 
• Know the body proportion differences if you are creating your own conversion chart. 
• To avoid unforeseen trouble in calculating, it is always better to check your supplier and ask for the conversion chart. 
• Take advantage of chart conversion apps available online. 
• Refrain from buying Asian free-size clothing or shoes.

Final thoughts

There you have it: a guide to converting Asian sizes to US, UK, and EU sizes!

Clothing and shoe size conversion can be really tricky. And even though you know the measurement, mistakes can occur.

To avoid issues, always check with your supplier and ask for a detailed conversion chart. If one supplier doesn't provide it, another likely will.

So whenever you're buying in (or from) Asian countries like China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and many more, always double-check if they use the same sizes as you're used to or if they are using a different system.

Good luck with your sizing conversions and happy shopping!

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