Women's Clothing Size Conversion Guide

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

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

Women's clothing sizes are among the least standardized measurements in common use. A size 8 in the US is a size 12 in the UK, a 38 in Europe, and a size 13 in Japan — and even within each country, the same numeric size fits differently across brands. Understanding the conversion system and your own body measurements is the key to consistent online shopping.

This guide focuses on practical conversion with the caveat that numeric size conversions are always approximations. Body measurements (bust, waist, hips) in centimeters are the most reliable way to shop internationally.

Women's Size Chart (with Measurements)

US   EU   UK   JP   Bust    Waist   Hip
──   ──   ──   ──   ──────  ──────  ─────
 0   32    4    5   79cm    61cm    87cm
 2   34    6    7   82cm    64cm    89cm
 4   36    8    9   86cm    68cm    93cm
 6   38   10   11   89cm    71cm    96cm
 8   40   12   13   93cm    75cm   100cm
10   42   14   15   97cm    79cm   104cm
12   44   16   17  101cm    83cm   108cm
14   46   18   19  105cm    87cm   112cm
16   48   20   21  110cm    92cm   117cm

How to Use Body Measurements for Conversion

Measure your bust (fullest part), waist (narrowest part, about 2 cm above the navel), and hips (fullest part, about 20 cm below the waist). Use a flexible tape measure. Do not pull tight — a finger should fit between the tape and your body. Record measurements in centimeters.

Match your measurements to the table above. If you fall between sizes, use the size for your largest measurement unless the brand says otherwise. For fitted tops, prioritize bust measurement. For skirts and trousers, prioritize waist and hip.

Brand Variation and Vanity Sizing

A US size 8 from a premium designer may be cut smaller than a US size 8 from a fast-fashion brand. This is 'vanity sizing' in reverse — higher-end brands sometimes size smaller to create the perception of exclusivity, while mass-market brands size larger so customers feel good about wearing a smaller number.

The only reliable approach is to check each brand's specific measurement chart. A good brand's size chart shows actual garment measurements (or the body measurements they are designed for), not just size labels. If the chart only shows S/M/L with no cm values, look for fit reviews from other customers.

Quick Tips

✓
Measure yourself annually — body measurements change, and last year's size may not be this year's.
✓
US to EU (women's): add 30. US 10 = EU 40.
✓
US to UK (women's): add 4. US 10 = UK 14.
✓
When sizes span a range (e.g., 'fits sizes 8–10'), the garment will fit more loosely at size 8 and snugger at size 10.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is US women's size 10 in European sizes?

US women's 10 ≈ EU 42. Approximate formula: US + 30 = EU. Always verify with the brand's size chart.

Why do some sites show different conversion tables?

Because there is no universal standard. Different sites use slightly different offset values. The conversion tables here represent widely used average approximations.

What does 'true to size' mean in online reviews?

'True to size' means the garment fits consistently with standard sizing for that brand — if you usually wear a medium, the medium will fit as expected. 'Runs large' means order a size down; 'runs small' means order a size up.

How do plus sizes work internationally?

US plus sizes (1X, 2X, 3X or 14W, 16W, 18W) correspond to EU sizes 46, 48, 50 and UK sizes 18, 20, 22. The plus-size labeling varies more by brand than standard sizes do.

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