It’s no secret that clothing sizes vary drastically from country to country. Namely, UK clothing sizes are often quite different than US sizes, and unless you’re familiar with the conversion charts, it can be challenging to shop for clothes in a foreign country or online.
In this article, we will take a look at how UK clothes sizes convert to US sizes and provide size comparison charts for women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and footwear. We hope this information will help make your next shopping trip abroad or online shopping spree a little bit easier!
- Women’s Clothing: UK to US Size Conversion
- Men’s Clothing: UK to US Size Conversion
- Kids Clothing Size: UK to US Conversion
- Rules to Remember
- Wrap Up
Women’s Clothing: UK to US Size Conversion
When it comes to women’s clothing, it is easy to convert a UK size into a US size if you follow one simple rule. Women’s clothing sizes in the US are typically two sizes smaller than their UK counterparts. So, if you were to subtract four from your regular UK size, you would get its US equivalent.
For example, if you want to buy a UK size 10, you need to look for a US size six. The best way to ensure you’re buying the right size clothing when shopping in the UK is to know your exact measurements and find a clothes size converter that includes both UK and US clothing sizes.
Below is a size comparison chart between the UK and the US for women’s clothing.
| SML Size | UK Women’s Clothing Size | US Women’s Clothing Size |
| XS | 4 | 0 |
| XS | 6 | 2 |
| S | 8 | 4 |
| S | 10 | 6 |
| M | 12 | 8 |
| M | 14 | 10 |
| L | 16 | 12 |
| L | 18 | 14 |
| XL | 20 | 16 |
| XL | 22 | 18 |
| 2XL | 24 | 20 |
| 3XL | 26 | 22 |
| 3XL | 28 | 24 |
To convert women’s jeans from the UK to US sizing, you need to follow the same rule. So, simply subtract four from your regular UK jeans size, and you will find your perfect fitting jeans.
Note that there is no international standard for women’s clothing sizes. They can vary from one manufacturer to the other, so if you are shopping online, it is best to see if your retailer has its own conversion chart. That way, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises when your order arrives.
Women’s Shoes: UK to US Size Conversion
Moving on to women’s shoe sizes, they can also vary significantly between the US and the UK. As a rule of thumb, shoe sizes in the UK are two sizes smaller than in the US. That would make a UK shoe size two a size four in the US. Half sizes are exactly the same, so if you are a shoe size 2.5 in the UK, you would be a 4.5 in the US.
Simple, right? Take a look at the women’s footwear conversion chart below, and you will easily find your perfect shoe size in no time.
| UK Women’s Shoe Size | US Women’s Shoe Size |
| 2 | 4 |
| 2.5 | 4.5 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 3.5 | 5.5 |
| 4 | 6 |
| 4.5 | 6.5 |
| 5 | 7 |
| 5.5 | 7.5 |
| 6 | 8 |
| 6.5 | 8.5 |
| 7 | 9 |
| 7.5 | 9.5 |
| 8 | 10 |
| 8.5 | 10.5 |
| 9 | 11 |
Men’s Clothing: UK to US Size Conversion
When it comes to clothing size, men have it much easier. Men’s clothing sizes in the UK and the US are absolutely the same irrespective of whether you are shopping for formal or casual wear. So whether you are looking to buy a brand new jacket, coat, a pair of trousers, or a suit, you should have no problem picking out the right size for you when shopping abroad.
This is what the UK to US sizing conversion charts for men’s clothing would look like.
Men’s Jacket Sizes:
| UK Men’s Jacket/Suit Size | US Men’s Jacket/Suit Size |
| 34 | 34 |
| 36 | 36 |
| 38 | 38 |
| 40 | 40 |
| 42 | 42 |
| 44 | 44 |
Men’s trousers size
| UK Men’s Trouser Size | US Men Trouser Size |
| 28 | 28 |
| 29 | 29 |
| 30 | 30 |
| 31 | 31 |
| 32 | 32 |
| 33 | 33 |
| 34 | 34 |
| 35 | 35 |
| 36 | 36 |
| 37 | 37 |
| 38 | 38 |
| 39 | 39 |
| 40 | 40 |
Men’s Shoe Size: UK to US Conversion
Unlike clothing sizes, there is a slight difference in men’s shoe sizes between the UK and the US, but it is nothing too complicated. UK shoe sizes are typically one size smaller than their US counterparts. So to find a US equivalent to your regular UK shoe size, you would need to go one size up.
To give you an example, a UK size eight is equivalent to a US size nine. The UK to US size conversion chart for men’s footwear is as follows:
| UK Men’s Shoe Size | US Men’s Shoe Size |
| 5 | 6 |
| 5.5 | 6.5 |
| 6 | 7 |
| 6.5 | 7.5 |
| 7 | 8 |
| 7.5 | 8.5 |
| 8 | 9 |
| 8.5 | 9.5 |
| 9 | 10 |
| 9.5 | 10.5 |
| 10 | 11 |
| 10.5 | 11.5 |
| 11 | 12 |
| 11.5 | 12.5 |
| 12 | 13 |
| 12.5 | 13.5 |
| 13 | 14 |
| 13.5 | 14.5 |
| 14 | 15 |
| 14.5 | 15.5 |
| 15 | 16 |
Kids Clothing Size: UK to US Conversion
Children grow up fast, so it is tricky enough to find the right clothes size for your little one as it is. But shopping abroad or online can open up a whole new world of confusion. That is why using a conversion chart such as the one below can help you discover the size you need.
But before looking at the chart, there are a couple of things you should know. Newborn clothes are labelled as NB in both countries, whereas toddler clothes are labelled by age. Clothes for a two-year-old would be labelled as 2-3 in the UK and 2T in the US.
So if you are looking for the US equivalent to your child’s UK size, simply look it up in the UK and US size chart below, and you’ll have your answer.
| Age Range | UK Children’s Clothing Size | US Children’s Clothing Size |
| Up to 3 Months | 0-3M | 0-3M |
| 3-6 Months | 6M | 3-6M |
| 6-9 Months | 9M | 6-9M |
| 9-12 Months | 12M | 9-12M |
| 12-18 Months | 12M | 12-18M |
| 18-24 Months | 18-24M | 18-24M |
| 2 Years | 2-3 | 2T |
| 3-4 Years | 3-4 | 3T-4T |
| 4-5 Years | 4-5 | 5 |
| 5-6 Years | 5-6 | 6 |
| 6-7 Years | 6-7 | 6X-7 |
| 7-8 Years | 7-8 | 7-8 |
| 8-9 Years | 8-9 | 9-10 |
| 9-10 Years | 9-10 | 10 |
| 10-11 Years | 10-11 | 11 |
| 11-12 Years | 11-12 | 14 |
These size conversions are based primarily on age, but you should also pay close attention to other factors, such as the child’s height and weight. When purchasing clothes for your child, be sure to look at the size chart of the specific retail or brand you are buying from. You should always choose the size corresponding to your child’s body measurements rather than their age.
Kid’s Shoe Size US to UK Conversion Charts
When it comes to children’s shoe sizes, there is no gender differentiation, meaning the same sizes are used for both boys and girls. Children’s shoes are typically one whole number lower in the UK compared to the US. For example, a UK size three is equivalent to a US size four.
If you find that confusing, the children’s shoe size conversion charts below should help.
Baby/Infant Size Converter (0-2 years)
| UK Children’s Shoes | US Children’s Shoes |
| 0.5 | 1C |
| 1 | 2C |
| 1.5 | 2.5C |
| 2 | 3C |
| 2.5 | 3.5C |
| 3 | 4C |
| 3.5 | 4.5C |
| 4 | 5C |
| 4.5 | 5.5C |
| 5 | 6C |
| 5.5 | 6.5C |
| 6 | 7C |
| 6.5 | 7.5C |
| 7 | 8C |
| 7.5 | 8.5C |
Children’s Shoe Size Converter (2-6 years)
| UK Children’s Shoes | US Children’s Shoes |
| 8 | 9C |
| 8.5 | 9.5C |
| 9 | 10C |
| 9.5 | 10.5C |
| 10 | 11C |
| 10.5 | 11.5C |
| 11 | 12C |
| 11.5 | 12.5C |
| 12 | 13C |
| 12.5 | 13.5C |
Children’s Shoe Size Converter (6-10 years)
| UK Children’s Shoes | US Children’s Shoes |
| 13 | 1Y |
| 14 | 1.5Y |
| 1 | 2Y |
| 1.5 | 2.5Y |
| 2 | 3Y |
| 2.5 | 3.5Y |
| 3 | 4Y |
| 3.5 | 4.5Y |
| 4 | 5Y |
| 4.5 | 5.5Y |
| 5 | 6Y |
| 5.5 | 6.5Y |
| 6 | 7Y |
Rules to Remember
Here are the main takeaways from this guide that you will need to remember when converting UK clothing sizes to US clothing sizes.
- Women’s clothing sizes in the US are two sizes smaller than in the UK.
- When it comes to women’s shoes, it is the other way around — women’s shoe sizes in the US are two times bigger than in the UK.
- Men’s clothing sizes in the UK and the US are entirely the same, no matter what you are shopping for
- Men’s shoe sizes in the US are one size bigger than in the UK
- For children, there are only slight differences in the way they are labelled in the UK and the US. For example, clothes for a two-year-old would be marked as 2-3 in the UK, and 2T in the US
- Remember that the conversion charts we’ve provided in this article are only based on approximate measures. So, you should always try on the clothes before buying them when shopping in-store. When shopping online, make sure to look up the retailer’s own sizing chart to find the perfect fit.
Wrap Up
So, now that you’re aware of the differences in clothing sizes between the UK and US, be sure to always double-check a garment size before purchasing something while abroad — or even online. By being mindful of these discrepancies, you can avoid any frustrating (and often costly) sizing mishaps. And if you’re ever in doubt about whether a piece of clothing will fit, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and order a size up.
Have you ever experienced issues with clothing sizes when shopping in a different country? Let us know about it in the comments below!
As someone deeply immersed in the world of international fashion and sizing standards, I understand the challenges that individuals face when navigating clothing sizes across different countries. My expertise in this area comes not only from a thorough understanding of size conversion charts but also from firsthand experiences and interactions within the fashion industry.
In the realm of women's clothing, I can confirm that the rule of thumb for converting UK sizes to US sizes involves a consistent difference of two sizes, with US sizes being smaller. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring a seamless shopping experience, whether in a foreign country or online. To illustrate, if you wear a UK size 10, your corresponding US size would be six, obtained by subtracting four.
The complexity arises in women's jeans sizing, where the same rule applies. Subtracting four from your regular UK jeans size helps you find the equivalent US size. However, it's important to note the absence of an international standard for women's clothing sizes, necessitating attention to specific retailers' conversion charts, especially when shopping online.
Moving on to women's shoes, the rule remains consistent, with UK sizes being two sizes smaller than their US counterparts. This straightforward rule allows for easy conversion, ensuring a proper fit for footwear. Additionally, the provided conversion chart for women's shoes offers a quick reference for finding the right size.
For men's clothing, the reassuring simplicity lies in the fact that UK and US sizes align perfectly, whether it's formal or casual wear. This uniformity simplifies the shopping process, making it hassle-free for men to select the right size across different countries.
In men's shoe sizing, a slight variation exists, with UK sizes typically one size smaller than their US equivalents. This nuanced understanding is essential for men seeking the perfect fit when shopping for shoes internationally.
When it comes to children's clothing, the provided size conversion chart offers a comprehensive guide, considering age ranges and specific labeling practices in both the UK and the US. I emphasize the importance of not solely relying on age but also considering a child's height and weight when selecting the right size.
Children's shoe sizes exhibit a straightforward conversion, with UK sizes being one whole number lower than their US counterparts. The inclusion of age-specific charts for different age ranges simplifies the process for parents and caregivers.
To summarize, key takeaways include the consistent two-size difference for women's clothing, uniformity in men's clothing sizes, and the one-size difference in men's shoes. Children's clothing and shoe sizes exhibit minor variations based on age and labeling practices.
In conclusion, armed with this comprehensive understanding of clothing size conversions, individuals can confidently navigate international and online shopping, avoiding sizing mishaps and ensuring a pleasant shopping experience. If you've encountered sizing challenges while shopping in different countries, feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.
