Why don't clothing sizes match between countries?
Because there's no single global standard. A US women's 8 is roughly a UK 12 and an EU 40; a men's US shirt in inches is an EU size in centimetres; and 'medium' means different measurements at different brands. Sizes drift with vanity sizing too, where the same label maps to a bigger body over time. Converting between systems is the only reliable way to shop across borders — and even then, the actual measurements on the product page win over the label.
How do shoe sizes convert (US, UK, EU)?
Shoe systems are based on different starting points and step sizes. As a rough guide, a US men's size is about 0.5–1 larger than the UK size, and the EU size is roughly the US size + 33 for men (so a US 9 ≈ EU 42–43). Women's conversions differ again. Because half-sizes and brand quirks creep in, it's best to convert to your foot length in centimetres and match that — which is the most reliable number across every system.
The one number that beats every size chart
Whatever the label says, the measurement that actually matters is your body or foot dimension: chest and waist in cm or inches for clothes, foot length in cm for shoes. Brands publish these in their size guides even when the letter or number sizes disagree. Measure yourself once, keep the figures, and convert to them — you'll return far fewer online orders than by trusting 'M' or 'size 9' alone.
Reading a foreign size label
EU clothing sizes are often the body measurement in centimetres or a coded number (36, 38, 40…); UK and US use their own number scales; and Japanese and other Asian sizes tend to run smaller than Western ones for the same label. Knowing which system a label is in — and converting it to the one you know — turns a confusing tag into a size you can actually judge. The converter above does that swap for clothing and shoes.
Conversions are approximate and vary by brand and cut. For the best fit, match your body or foot measurements against the specific size chart.
Frequently asked questions
What is a US size 8 in UK and EU?
For women's clothing, a US 8 is roughly a UK 12 and an EU 40. Exact fit varies by brand, so check the garment's measurements too.
How do I convert my shoe size to EU?
For men, EU size is roughly your US size + 33 (US 9 ≈ EU 42–43). The most reliable method is to match your foot length in centimetres.
Why is my usual size different in another brand?
There's no global sizing standard and brands use 'vanity sizing', so the same label maps to different measurements. Always compare the actual cm/inch measurements.
What's the best way to get the right size online?
Convert to a measurement, not a label: chest/waist in cm for clothes, foot length in cm for shoes, and match those against the size chart.
Do US and UK shoe sizes differ?
Yes — a US men's size runs about 0.5–1 larger than the same-numbered UK size. Women's differ again, so convert rather than assume.