International Clothing Size Guide

7 min read•June 1, 2025•Reviewed: June 1, 2026

✓Reviewed by Apex Conversion Editorial Team · Last reviewed June 1, 2026

Every major region has its own clothing size system, and none of them agree on numbers. A size 12 in the UK is a size 8 in the US, a 38 in Europe, a 10 in Australia, and a 15 in Japan. These are all the same dress size — for the same body — expressed in five completely different numbering systems.

This guide covers the main sizing systems used globally, how they relate to body measurements, and the best strategies for finding your size when shopping internationally online or abroad.

Women's Size Comparison: All Systems

US    UK    EU    AU    JP    Bust(cm)
────  ──    ──    ──    ──    ────────
  2    6    34     6     7       82
  4    8    36     8     9       86
  6   10    38    10    11       89
  8   12    40    12    13       93
 10   14    42    14    15       97
 12   16    44    16    17      101
 14   18    46    18    19      105
 16   20    48    20    21      110

The US System

US women's sizes use even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16…). Size 0 and 00 exist at the small end. The numbers have no direct measurement meaning and vary by brand due to vanity sizing. US men's dress sizes are generally measurement-based (shirt: neck/sleeve in inches; trousers: waist/inseam in inches).

The UK System

UK women's sizes run 4 higher than US sizes. A US 8 = UK 12. UK men's sizes tend to follow the same chest-in-inches convention as US men's, making cross-conversion simpler for menswear.

The EU System

EU women's sizes are loosely based on body measurements in centimeters. EU 38 corresponds to approximately an 89 cm bust. Each two-size increment (36, 38, 40…) represents approximately 4 cm change in bust/hip. EU sizing is used across continental Europe and in many international brands.

Australian and Japanese Systems

Australian women's sizes follow the same numeric scale as the UK but may differ in fit due to different sizing standards. Australian sizes run 2 higher than US: US 8 = AU 12.

Japanese women's sizes use a completely different scale. JP sizes run roughly 3–7 for standard adult women's clothing, with JP 9 corresponding roughly to a US 6 / EU 36. Japanese sizing tends to run smaller than Western sizing; always check the measurement chart when buying Japanese brands.

Quick Tips

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US to UK: add 4 to women's US size. US 8 = UK 12.
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US to EU: add 30 to women's US size. US 8 = EU 38.
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US to AU: add 4 to women's US size. US 8 = AU 12 (same as UK).
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For Japanese brands: always use measurements. Japanese brands typically provide detailed cm charts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UK and Australian clothing sizing the same?

UK and Australian women's sizes use the same numbering scale, but the fit may vary slightly due to different national sizing standards. Always check the specific brand's measurement chart.

What is size XL in EU clothing sizes?

XL is not a standardized EU size — it varies by brand. In EU numeric sizes, XL typically corresponds to EU 44–46 for women.

How do I find my clothing size for a Japanese brand?

Use the brand's measurement chart — most Japanese brands provide detailed body measurement guides. JP women's sizing tends to run smaller than US/EU, so do not assume a simple numeric conversion.

Do clothing size systems ever update?

Occasionally — countries and standards organizations periodically revise sizing standards, but consumer sizes rarely change officially. In practice, brand-level vanity sizing means actual garment dimensions shift over time regardless of official standards.

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