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UK to US Size Conversion Guide for Men, Women, and Children

UK to US Size Conversion Guide for Men, Women, and Children

Satyam Sharma
Satyam Sharma
Created on
August 29, 2024
Last updated on
September 5, 2025
9
Written by:
Satyam Sharma
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Let’s get real. UK to US size conversions can get confusing pretty quickly. Whether it’s shoes, bracelets, hoodies, apparel, or any kind of everyday wear, you want a go-to guide you can refer to. Unfortunately, most of the UK to US size conversion guides online don’t cover all the info you need.

UK to US conversion guide

Which is why we are here to support you. You will get all your questions answered in this blog. You will know how UK to US size conversions work, how to use a UK to US size conversion calculator, make rough guesstimates, and more. By the end of this post, you can confidently start shopping online, buy stuff from stores, or even start a fashion dropshipping business! Now, on to it.

UK to US Size Conversions for Men, Women, and Children

Women's clothing sizes generally follow a consistent pattern: US sizes are typically two sizes smaller than UK sizes. For example, a UK 10 converts to a US 6, and a UK 12 becomes a US 8. This conversion holds true across most clothing categories including dresses, tops, blazers, and casual wear.

Men's clothing sizes work differently. UK and US sizes are often identical for chest measurements and general clothing. A UK size M equals a US size M, and a 40-inch chest measurement remains the same in both systems. However, there can be slight variations in trouser waist sizes depending on the brand.

Children's sizes use age-based conversions that differ significantly between systems. US sizes often include "T" designations (2T, 4T) while UK sizes use straightforward age ranges. The conversion isn't always direct, and you'll need to pay attention to height and weight guidelines.

What is a UK to US Size Conversion Calculator?

A UK to US conversion size calculator is a tool that helps you convert clothing, footwear, or accessory sizes between UK and US sizing systems. By entering your UK size, the calculator provides the equivalent US size, making it easier to shop internationally and ensure a proper fit. You can use this one by Convertshoesize to get accurate measurements for UK to US shoe sizes.

Women's UK to US Size Conversion 

Here’s an overview of UK to US size conversion for women:

General Women's Clothing (Dresses, Tops, Blazers)

UK Size US Size EU Size Bust (inches) Waist (inches)
4 0 32 30–31 22–24
6 2 34 31–32 24–25
8 4 36 32–34 25–26
10 6 38 34–36 27–28
12 8 40 36–38 28–29
14 10 42 38–40 30–32
16 12 44 40–42 32–34
18 14 46 42–44 34–36
20 16 48 44–46 36–38
22 18 50 46–48 38–40

Women's Jeans and Trousers

UK Size US Size EU Size Waist (inches)
6 2 34 24
8 4 36 25
10 6 38 26–27
12 8 40 28–29
14 10 42 30–31
16 12 44 32–33
18 14 46 34–35
20 16 48 36–37

Quick conversion tip: If you wear a UK 10 dress, look for US size 6 jeans. If you're a UK 14, go for US size 10.

Women's Underwear and Lingerie

UK Size US Size EU Size Hip (inches)
6 2 34 31-32
8 4 36 33-34
10 6 38 35-36
12 8 40 37-38
14 10 42 39-40
16 12 44 41-42
18 14 46 43-44
20 16 48 45-46

Bra Size Conversion

UK Size US Size EU Size
30A 30AA 65A
30B 30A 65B
30C 30B 65C
32A 32AA 70A
32B 32A 70B
32C 32B 70C
34A 34AA 75A
34B 34A 75B
34C 34B 75C
36A 36AA 80A
36B 36A 80B
36C 36B 80C

Note: US bra sizes are typically one cup size smaller than UK sizes. A UK 34C becomes a US 34B.

Men's Size Conversion Charts

Here is a guide to UK to US size conversions for men when it comes to clothing and everything else:

Men's General Clothing (Shirts, Jackets, Suits)

UK Size US Size EU Size Chest (inches) Waist (inches)
XS XS 44 34-36 28-30
S S 46 36-38 30-32
M M 48 38-40 32-34
L L 50 40-42 34-36
XL XL 52 42-44 36-38
XXL XXL 54 44-46 38-40
XXXL XXXL 56 46-48 40-42

Note: Men's UK and US clothing sizes are generally identical for alpha sizing (S, M, L, XL). The main differences appear in specific measurements and brand variations.

Men's Trousers and Jeans

UK Waist (inches) US Waist (inches) EU Size
28 28 44
30 30 46
32 32 48
34 34 50
36 36 52
38 38 54
40 40 56
42 42 58

Men's Belt Sizes

UK Waist (inches) US Belt Size EU Belt Size (cm)
28 30 80
30 32 85
32 34 90
34 36 95
36 38 100
38 40 105
40 42 110
42 44 115

Pro tip: Add 2 inches to your waist measurement for your belt size. If you have a 32-inch waist, get a 34-inch belt.

Children's Size Conversion Charts

You can use these tables to match children’s age-based clothing and footwear sizes across UK, US, and EU systems.

Children's UK to US Clothing Sizes by Age

Age UK Size US Size EU Size (Height cm)
Newborn (0–3 m) 0–3 m NB 50–56
3–6 months 3–6 m 3 M 62–68
6–9 months 6–9 m 6 M 68–74
9–12 months 9–12 m 9 M 74–80
12–18 months 12–18 m 12 M 80–86
18–24 months 18–24 m 18 M 86–92
2–3 years 2–3 Y 2T 92–98
3–4 years 3–4 Y 3T 98–104
4–5 years 4–5 Y 4 Y 104–110
5–6 years 5–6 Y 5 Y 110–116
6–7 years 6–7 Y 6 Y 116–122
7–8 years 7–8 Y 7 Y 122–128
8–9 years 8–9 Y 8 Y 128–134
9–10 years 9–10 Y 9 Y 134–140
10–11 years 10–11 Y 10 Y 140–146
11–12 years 11–12 Y 11 Y 146–152

Children's UK to US Shoe Size Conversion 

Age Range UK Size US Size EU Size
12–18 months 3 4 19
18–24 months 4 5 20
2–3 years 5 6 21
3–4 years 6 7 22
4–5 years 7 8 23
5–6 years 8 9 24
6–7 years 9 10 25
7–8 years 10 11 27
8–9 years 11 12 28
9–10 years 12 13 29
10–11 years 13 1 Y 31
11–12 years 1 2 Y 33

Specific examples for children's shoes:

  • European size 24 = UK size 8 = US size 8.5 = Japan size 16 (Age 5-6 years)
  • European size 22 = UK size 6 = US size 6.5 = Japan size 14 (Age 3-4 years)
  • European size 35 = UK size 3 = US size 3.5 = Japan size 24 (Age 13-14 years)

Women's International Shoe Sizes

shoe size comparison
UK Size US Size EU Size Korea Size
3 5 36 22.5 5 225
4 6 37 23.5 6 235
5 7 38 24.5 7 245
6 8 39 25.5 8 255
7 9 40 26.5 9 265
8 10 41 27.5 10 275
9 11 42 28.5 11 285
10 12 43 29.5 12 295

Men's International Shoe Sizes 

UK Size US Size EU Size Japan Size Australia Size Korea Size
6 7 40 25 6 250
7 8 41 26 7 260
8 9 42 27 8 270
9 10 43 28 9 280
10 11 44 29 10 290
11 12 45 30 11 300
12 13 46 31 12 310

International shoe size examples:

  • European size 42 = UK size 8 = US size 9 = Japan size 27 = Korea size 270 (Men's)
  • European size 39 = UK size 6 = US size 8 = Japan size 25.5 = Korea size 255 (Women's)

UK to US Sock Size Conversions

UK to US sock sizes
UK Shoe US Men’s Shoe US Women’s Shoe Sock Size
3–5 4–6 5–7 S/M
5–8 6–9 8–10 M/L
8–11 9–12 11–13 L/XL
11–14 12–15 14+ XL/XXL

Sock sizing tip: Most sock brands use shoe size ranges rather than exact conversions. If you wear UK size 8 shoes, look for M/L or L/XL socks depending on whether you prefer a snug or loose fit.

UK to US Size Conversions by Brand

Here is how UK to US size conversion for brands works:

Designer and Luxury Brands

High-end fashion houses often have their own sizing standards that may not match standard conversion charts. Brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Burberry frequently use European measurements even for UK and US markets.

Fast Fashion 

Brands like H&M, Zara, and ASOS may have slight variations in their sizing, even when labeled as UK or US sizes. Always check their specific size guides and read customer reviews for fit feedback.

Athletic and Sportswear

Nike, Adidas, and other sportswear brands often run true to size but may have different fits for different activities. Running shoes typically need a half-size larger than your regular shoe size to account for foot swelling during exercise.

Why UK to US Size Conversion Matters?

Shopping internationally opens up a world of fashion choices, but it also introduces the challenge of finding the right size. UK and US sizes differ significantly, and without accurate conversions, customers may find themselves with ill-fitting clothes or shoes. 

This is particularly crucial as online shopping continues to grow, with the global online apparel market projected to reach over $1,2 trillion by 2027. Accurate size conversion helps reduce return rates, enhances customer satisfaction, and boosts consumer confidence in cross-border shopping. Using Spocket's best US/EU suppliers you can easily benefit from this market and grow your dropshipping store.

UK to US Size Conversion Discrepancies: Statistics

Here is why you should worry about US to UK size conversion discrepancies:

  • High Return Rates: The average return rate for e-commerce is around 20-30%. Wrong sizes can lead to incorrect gifts, rejected deliveries, and a lack of clarity in communication between the buyer and seller. It can lead to loss of customer trust and loyalty as well.
  • Global Market Trends: The global online apparel market will be valued at USD 2178.55 billion by 2032. This means that the consumer base for shopping online clothing, footwear, and everyday accessories will grow - for men, women, and children. You can’t provide a high-quality customer shopping experience unless you get your sizes right.

How UK to US Size Conversions Work

EU sizes can be converted quite easily into UK sizes, although they will still differ from brand to brand so it's important to check your bust and waist measurements before selecting a standard size. The measurements are listed in centimeters, making them more standardized than other systems.

US sizes do not convert simply into UK sizes, and so it's always necessary to check your bust and waist measurements before selecting a standard UK size. The measurements for UK sizes are listed in inches, creating additional complexity.

UK to US Size Conversion Differences

The core difference lies in the measuring system. UK sizes typically run smaller than US sizes for women's clothing, but this pattern reverses for footwear.

  • For women's clothing: US sizes are generally two sizes larger than UK sizes. A UK 6 equals a US 2, and a UK 10 equals a US 6.
  • For men's clothing: UK and US sizes often match for general alpha sizing (S, M, L), but can differ in specific measurements like waist inches.

For footwear, UK to US size conversion varies by gender:

  • Men's US shoes are typically one size larger than UK sizes
  • Women's US shoes are typically two sizes larger than UK sizes

UK to US Size Conversion for Kids by Age 

When choosing clothes for boys or girls, remember that US children's sizes often include "T" designations (2T, 4T, 5T) while UK sizes use age ranges. The conversion isn't always direct because children grow at different rates.

Height vs Age Considerations

European children's sizing uses height in centimeters, which can be more accurate than age-based sizing. A 4-year-old might wear different sizes depending on their height and build. Always check the height measurements when possible.

How to Measure for UK to US Size Conversions

Here is how to get started with UK to US size conversions:

Know Your Measurements

Measure yourself from key points rather than relying on labels alone. For clothing, you need:

  • Bust/chest: Around the fullest part of the chest. Ensure that the tape measure is level.
  • Waist: At the narrowest part of the waist
  • Hips: Around the fullest part of your hips
  • Inseam: From crotch to ankle for trousers. Measure from the bottom of the leg.

Think of this like knowing your waist size for buying trousers – which is something all of us should know.

Account for Gender-Based Differences

Always cross-check if the sizing is for men or women. A US men's size 9 shoe will not match a US women's size 9. There is usually a 1.5 size difference between gendered sizing in the US. It's a common mistake that often makes people end up with the wrong sized footwear.

Pay Attention to Width

While most conversion charts refer to length, remember that width is also key for comfort, especially for shoes. Certain brands may offer narrow, regular, or wide fit options. This can be specific to your body shape, so check it out properly.

When in Doubt, Size Up

When unsure or between sizes, it's often wiser to opt for the slightly larger size, especially if you plan on wearing layers or need room for movement. On the other hand, some items like leather shoes can expand a bit after initial wear, so take that into account.

Conclusion

Women's clothing typically converts with US sizes being two numbers smaller than UK sizes. Men's sizes often match between systems for general clothing. Children's sizes require more attention to age and height guidelines.

Good UK to US size conversion is all about knowing your measurements. Just know that brands can vary, and always check specific size charts when available. Keep this guide handy for reference, and remember that when in doubt, it's usually better to size up slightly than to end up with something too small. Whether you're shopping for yourself, buying gifts, or helping family members find the right sizes, these UK to US size conversion charts and tips will help you navigate the differences between UK and US sizing systems with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions on UK and US Size Conversion

UK to US Size Conversion FAQs 

Are UK and US sizes interchangeable?

Not exactly. While conversions are straightforward for some categories, UK vs US sizing metrics are based on different measuring standards. Always use a conversion chart or the brand's size guide when purchasing internationally.

What's the difference between shoes and other footwear when it comes to sizing?

The sizing principle remains consistent across categories like sneakers, loafers, or formal shoes. However, materials and construction may impact the fit. For instance, leather shoes may feel snug initially but stretch over time, while sneakers may offer immediate flexibility.

Can children's UK to US sizes be converted the same way as adults?

No. Children's sizing works differently because it's based on age and height rather than body measurements. The rule of thumb is that US children's sizes are typically one size larger than UK equivalents, but always check height and weight guidelines.

How do I convert between different international systems?

Use the comprehensive charts provided in this guide. For example, European size 42 men's shoes equals UK size 8, US size 9, Japan size 27, and Korea size 270. Keep these reference points handy when shopping internationally.

Do UK to US sock sizes follow the same conversion as UK to US shoe sizes?

Sock sizes are typically grouped into ranges (S/M, M/L, L/XL) rather than exact shoe size matches. If you wear UK size 8 shoes, you'll likely fit M/L or L/XL socks depending on your preference for fit.

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