International Size Conversion Guide: How to Choose the Right Size When You Shop Online
🔑 Key Takeaways
- What it is: International size conversion means matching a size label from one system (US, UK, EU, AU or Asian) to its closest equivalent in another. It gets you to the right neighborhood; your body measurements and the brand’s own size chart decide the final size.
- Women’s clothing rule of thumb: UK = US + 4, AU = UK, and EU = US + 32. A US 6 is roughly a UK 10, an AU 10 and an EU 38.
- Men’s tops rule of thumb: EU size = chest in centimeters ÷ 2, or US chest in inches + 10. A 38-inch (96 cm) chest is a US/UK 38 and an EU 48.
- Measure three things: chest or bust, waist and hips. Compare them with the size chart on the product page, not with the size you wore at another brand.
- Asian size labels often run one to two sizes smaller than the same letter in the US or EU, so compare centimeters, not letters.
- Between two sizes? Size up for oversized, layered or heavyweight pieces. Size down only for fabrics with real stretch.
You add a Medium to your cart, it arrives, and it fits like a Small. Or you convert a UK 12 in your head, guess US 8, and hope for the best. Shopping across borders is one of the easiest places to get sizing wrong, because there is no single worldwide standard. Every country, and most brands, draw their own lines.
This guide is a practical cheat sheet. It gives you conversion tables for women’s, men’s and kids’ clothing, quick rules for shoes and Asian sizes, the three measurements that matter, and a simple way to decide when you land between two sizes. It is also how we think about sizing for our own pieces. Every MYSTICHOT sweatshirt, hoodie and tee is embroidered to order, so a few minutes spent on size before checkout is time well spent. If you want to browse while you read, start with our sweatshirts collection.
01 · The Problem
Why a Medium Is Not Always a Medium
A size label is a brand’s opinion, not a measurement. Three things pull labels apart:
- No global rulebook. A European standard (EN 13402) describes clothing sizes by body measurements in centimeters, but it is voluntary and few brands print it on the label.
- Vanity sizing. Many brands have let their numbers drift down while the garments grew, so a US size 8 today is considerably larger than a size 8 from several decades ago.
- Different cuts. A slim-cut label and a relaxed-cut label can use the same letter for garments that differ by several centimeters across the chest.
Here is where each system comes from and how to recognize it:
| System | How it is labeled | Where you will see it |
|---|---|---|
| US | Numbers (0, 2, 4, 6…) and letters (XS–XL). Men’s tops use chest in inches. | US brands and many global marketplaces. |
| UK | Numbers (6, 8, 10, 12…), roughly US + 4 for women. | UK and Irish retailers. |
| AU / NZ | Numbers that match the UK (8, 10, 12…). | Australian and New Zealand stores. |
| EU | Even numbers for women (34, 36, 38…) and 44–58 for men. French, German and Italian numbers differ by 2–4. | Continental Europe and many fast-fashion sites. |
| Asia (CN, JP, KR) | Letters, height/chest codes such as 165/88A, or number sizes such as 7, 9, 11. | Cross-border marketplaces and direct-from-factory shops. |
02 · Women’s Clothing
Women’s Size Conversion Chart: US, UK, AU, EU
Use this chart to land in the right neighborhood, then confirm with the brand’s own chart. The EU column follows the French and continental labeling most retailers use; the German and Italian columns sit a few numbers either side.
| Letter | US | UK | AU | EU / FR | DE | IT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 0–2 | 4–6 | 4–6 | 32–34 | 30–32 | 36–38 |
| S | 4–6 | 8–10 | 8–10 | 36–38 | 34–36 | 40–42 |
| M | 8–10 | 12–14 | 12–14 | 40–42 | 38–40 | 44–46 |
| L | 12–14 | 16–18 | 16–18 | 44–46 | 42–44 | 48–50 |
| XL | 16 | 20 | 20 | 48 | 46 | 52 |
Quick formulas: UK = US + 4 · AU = UK · EU (FR) = US + 32 · DE = EU − 2 · IT = EU + 4.
Example: US 6 → UK 10 → AU 10 → EU 38 → DE 36 → IT 42.
Treat the table as a translator, not a promise. If a brand’s own chart says a US 6 has a 35-inch bust and yours is 37, believe the chart.
03 · Men’s Clothing
Men’s Tops and Trousers: Convert by Chest and Waist
Men’s sizing is easier to translate because it is built on chest size. US and UK tops use chest in inches, and EU tops are simply the chest in centimeters divided by two.
| Letter | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) | US / UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 34–36 | 86–91 | 34–36 | 44–46 |
| M | 38–40 | 96–101 | 38–40 | 48–50 |
| L | 42–44 | 106–112 | 42–44 | 52–54 |
| XL | 46–48 | 117–122 | 46–48 | 56–58 |
For trousers and jeans, US and UK labels use waist in inches (a W32 is about an 81 cm waist). EU trouser sizes run about 16 higher than the US waist number, so a W32 is roughly an EU 48.
04 · Kids’ Clothing
Kids’ Sizes: Buy by Height, Not Age
Age labels are the least reliable sizing in clothing, because children of the same age can differ by 10 cm or more in height. EU and Asian kids’ sizes are already labeled by height in centimeters, so use height as your common language.
| Height | Approx. age | US size | EU / Asia label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92 cm | 2 years | 2T | 92 |
| 98 cm | 3 years | 3T | 98 |
| 104 cm | 4 years | 4T | 104 |
| 110 cm | 5 years | 5 | 110 |
| 116 cm | 6 years | 6 | 116 |
| 122 cm | 7 years | 7 | 122 |
| 128 cm | 8 years | 8 | 128 |
| 140 cm | 10 years | 10 | 140 |
UK kids’ labels usually run by age range (for example 4–5 years). If a child sits between two heights, choose the larger size. Kids outgrow clothes by season, and a little room is a feature.
05 · Shoes
Shoe Size Conversion in Three Rules
- US to UK: women’s UK = US − 2 (US 8 is UK 6). Men’s UK = US − 1 (US 9 is UK 8).
- UK to EU: add about 33 for women (UK 5 is EU 38) and about 34 for men (UK 8 is EU 42).
- When in doubt, use centimeters. UK and US sizes step in thirds of an inch, EU sizes step in “Paris points” of two-thirds of a centimeter, and many brands list foot length in cm. Measure your longer foot in the evening and match it to the brand’s cm column.
06 · Asian Sizing
Asian Sizes: Why You Should Compare Centimeters
Many cross-border marketplaces ship from Asian factories using Asian size charts. The same letter often means a smaller body, so a US Medium frequently lands closer to an Asian L or XL. Three label styles show up most:
- Letters (S to 5XL). Often one to two sizes smaller than the same letter in the US or EU. Ignore the letter and read the chart.
- Height/chest codes. A Chinese label like 175/92A means 175 cm tall, 92 cm chest, and A for a standard build. A 92 cm chest is about 36 inches, so 175/92A converts to roughly a US/UK 36 or an EU 46.
- Number sizes. Japanese women’s sizes such as 7, 9, 11 and 13 sit alongside S/M/L. Match by the chest measurement in cm.
07 · The Method
A Three-Step Method That Works in Any Country
Measure your body
Take chest or bust, waist and hips in centimeters and inches. Write them down once and reuse them.
Use the brand’s chart
Match your numbers to the chart on the product page. Never convert from a size you wore elsewhere.
Pick for the fit you want
Tailored, everyday or oversized? Adjust one size up or down to match the look you are after.
Lay a favorite sweatshirt flat and measure underarm to underarm.| Measurement | Where to measure | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Chest / bust | Around the fullest part, with the tape level across the back and under the arms. | Breathe normally. To convert, divide cm by 2.54 to get inches. |
| Waist | Around the natural waist, the narrowest part of the torso, roughly above the navel. | Stand relaxed. Do not pull in. |
| Hips | Around the fullest part, about 20 cm (8 in) below the waist. | Keep your feet together. |
| Height | Barefoot, back against a wall, ruler flat on top of the head. | Essential for kids’ and Asian height-based sizes. |
| Foot length | Stand on paper and mark the heel and the longest toe. | Measure both feet in the evening and use the longer one. |
08 · Product Pages
How to Read a Size Chart Before You Click Buy
The size chart is only half the story. Six details on a product page tell you the rest:
| Check this | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Body vs. garment measurements | Body measurements describe the person the size is made for. Garment measurements describe the clothing laid flat, and they are always larger than the body. |
| Model height and size worn | Shows how the cut looks on a known body, so you can compare it with your own. |
| Fabric weight and stretch | Heavyweight cotton fleece has little give. Jersey with elastane stretches and forgives a snug fit. |
| Fit label | “Slim,” “regular,” “relaxed” and “oversized” change which size you should pick. |
| Reviews | Look for the same comment repeated, such as “runs small.” One review is noise; five are a pattern. |
| Returns and exchanges | Know the rules before you order, especially for made-to-order items. |
09 · The Tiebreaker
What to Do When You Are Between Two Sizes
Almost everyone lands between sizes at some point. Decide by how you plan to wear the piece, not by the number:
| Situation | Go with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You want an oversized, lived-in look | One size up | Extra room across the chest and shoulders creates the drape. |
| You will layer over a tee or under a coat | One size up | Layers need space, or the outer piece pulls and rides up. |
| Heavyweight cotton or fleece with little stretch | The larger size | There is no give to absorb a snug fit. |
| Fabric with noticeable stretch | The smaller size | Stretch fabrics relax and recover to your shape. |
| Buying for someone else, size unknown | The larger of the two | A roomy sweatshirt looks intentional. A tight one does not. |
| Ordering from another region’s chart | Centimeters over labels | Labels vary by country and brand. Numbers do not. |
10 · Our Sizing
How Sizing Works at MYSTICHOT
Our sweatshirts and hoodies are sized as unisex pieces, so you choose a size by how you want it to fit, not by a “men’s” or “women’s” label. Every product page has its own size chart. Match your chest measurement to it, then adjust for the look you want.
- Want an oversized, lived-in look? Go one size up.
- Between sizes and planning to layer? Size up as well.
- Ordering a matching pair? Choose each size separately. Every piece is made for you, so two different sizes in one pair is easy.
- Keep the fit steady. Wash inside out in cold water and tumble dry low. Heat is the usual cause of shrinkage.
Mystichot's size chart.Gift trick: Do not know their size? Lay a sweatshirt they already love flat, measure from underarm seam to underarm seam, and double the number. That is the garment’s chest circumference. Compare it with the chart on the product page. A piece they already wear comfortably is a better guide than any label.
11 · Our Picks
Four Custom Pieces Once You Have Your Size
Couples Sweatshirt (Photo & Text)
Upload one photo, add names or a date, and choose each person’s size separately.
See the couples sweatshirtPortrait & Music Player Sweatshirt
Your portrait paired with a song-player design, a gifting favorite. If you are unsure of the size, take the larger one.
See the music player sweatshirtPhoto Roman Date Embroidered Apparel
A date in Roman numerals alongside your photo. Check the product page for the garment styles and size chart.
See the Roman date pieceCustom Embroidered Pet Sweatshirt
A hand-traced pet portrait on a sweatshirt. Size up from your chart size for a relaxed, oversized look.
See the pet sweatshirtWant to browse more? Our T-shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts and parent-child collection each show their size charts on the product pages.
12 · The Timeline
Order Timeline: Settle Your Size First
Our advice: settle every size before you check out, because each piece is made to order. For the details, read our Returns & Exchanges page. Still unsure? Our team is available around the clock at support@mystichot.com.
Find Your Size, Then Make It Yours
Pick your size from the chart, upload your photo and we will embroider the rest.
Shop Custom Sweatshirts → From $28.90 · 90-day guarantee · Free shipping over $8913 · FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert US sizes to UK sizes?
For women’s clothing, add 4 to the US size: a US 6 is a UK 10. Men’s tops use the same chest-in-inches number in both countries. For shoes, women’s UK sizes are the US size minus 2, and men’s are the US size minus 1.
What is the EU equivalent of a US size 8?
A women’s US 8 is roughly a UK 12, an AU 12, an EU 40, a German 38 and an Italian 44. Confirm with the brand’s chart, because cuts differ.
Is a UK 12 the same as a US 8?
For women’s clothing, yes, approximately. A UK 12 corresponds to a US 8, an AU 12 and an EU 40.
Why do I wear different sizes at different brands?
There is no enforced global standard. Brands use different fit models, cuts and levels of vanity sizing, so the same label can describe garments that differ by several centimeters.
Do Asian sizes really run small?
Often, yes. Many Asian size charts are built for smaller frames, so a letter size can run one to two sizes smaller than the same letter in the US or EU. Compare chest, waist and hip measurements in centimeters instead of trusting the letter.
How do I choose between two sizes?
Decide by fit and fabric. Size up for an oversized look, for layering and for heavyweight low-stretch fabric. Choose the smaller size only for fabrics with noticeable stretch.
Should I choose a size by height and weight or by body measurements?
Body measurements are more reliable. Chest or bust, waist and hips describe how a garment needs to fit, while height and weight only hint at it. Use height and weight charts only when a brand offers nothing else.
How do I find the right size when buying a gift?
Lay a sweatshirt they already wear flat, measure underarm to underarm, double the number and compare it with the size chart. If you cannot check, choose the larger of the two likely sizes.
Are MYSTICHOT sweatshirts and hoodies unisex?
Yes. Our sweatshirts and hoodies are sized as unisex pieces. Check the size chart on each product page, and go one size up for an oversized look.
What size should I buy for a child?
Buy by height in centimeters, not by age. If your child falls between two sizes, choose the larger one for room to grow.
What if my order does not fit?
Every order is covered by our 90-day guarantee, and our team is available around the clock at support@mystichot.com. Because pieces are made to order, we also recommend reading our Returns & Exchanges page before you buy.
