Sewing size converter: EU, US, UK and international sizes
Pick a size to see it in every system with the body measurements behind it, or enter your measurements to find the closest size, for women, men and children.
Size and measurements
Women: full size chart
| EU | US | UK | International | Bust | Waist | Hip | Height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 0 | 4 | XXS | 29 7/8 in | 23 5/8 in | 33 1/2 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 34 | 2 | 6 | XS | 31 1/2 in | 25 1/4 in | 35 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 36 | 4 | 8 | S | 33 1/8 in | 26 3/4 in | 36 5/8 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 38 | 6 | 10 | M | 34 5/8 in | 28 3/8 in | 38 1/4 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 40 | 8 | 12 | M | 36 1/4 in | 29 7/8 in | 39 3/4 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 42 | 10 | 14 | L | 37 3/4 in | 31 1/2 in | 41 3/8 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 44 | 12 | 16 | XL | 39 3/8 in | 33 1/8 in | 42 7/8 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 46 | 14 | 18 | XL | 41 3/4 in | 35 3/8 in | 45 1/4 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 48 | 16 | 20 | XXL | 44 1/8 in | 37 3/4 in | 47 5/8 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 50 | 18 | 22 | 3XL | 46 1/2 in | 40 1/8 in | 50 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 52 | 20 | 24 | 3XL | 48 7/8 in | 42 1/2 in | 52 3/8 in | 66 1/8 in |
| 54 | 22 | 26 | 4XL | 51 1/8 in | 44 7/8 in | 54 3/4 in | 66 1/8 in |
Body measurements, not garment measurements: a pattern adds ease on top. Charts vary between brands; these are the ones Sewly uses to complete measurements.
Women's sizes convert in fixed steps: the US size is the EU size minus 32, and the UK size is the EU size minus 28, so an EU 38 is a US 6 and a UK 10. Each size up adds about 4 cm (1 5/8 in) to the bust, waist and hip until EU 44, then about 6 cm (2 3/8 in). The converter shows the body measurements behind each size, which matter more than the label when you sew.
Women's sizes: EU, US, UK and body measurements
| EU | US | UK | International | Bust | Waist | Hip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 0 | 4 | XXS | 76 cm (29 7/8 in) | 60 cm (23 5/8 in) | 85 cm (33 1/2 in) |
| 34 | 2 | 6 | XS | 80 cm (31 1/2 in) | 64 cm (25 1/4 in) | 89 cm (35 in) |
| 36 | 4 | 8 | S | 84 cm (33 1/8 in) | 68 cm (26 3/4 in) | 93 cm (36 5/8 in) |
| 38 | 6 | 10 | M | 88 cm (34 5/8 in) | 72 cm (28 3/8 in) | 97 cm (38 1/4 in) |
| 40 | 8 | 12 | M | 92 cm (36 1/4 in) | 76 cm (29 7/8 in) | 101 cm (39 3/4 in) |
| 42 | 10 | 14 | L | 96 cm (37 3/4 in) | 80 cm (31 1/2 in) | 105 cm (41 3/8 in) |
| 44 | 12 | 16 | XL | 100 cm (39 3/8 in) | 84 cm (33 1/8 in) | 109 cm (42 7/8 in) |
| 46 | 14 | 18 | XL | 106 cm (41 3/4 in) | 90 cm (35 3/8 in) | 115 cm (45 1/4 in) |
| 48 | 16 | 20 | XXL | 112 cm (44 1/8 in) | 96 cm (37 3/4 in) | 121 cm (47 5/8 in) |
The converter goes up to EU 54 (US 22, UK 26) and shows every size in the chart.
Men's and children's sizes
Men's sizes run from XS to 3XL, about 6 cm (2 3/8 in) of chest apart: a size M is a 98 cm (38 5/8 in) chest and an 86 cm (33 7/8 in) waist. The European number is half the chest in centimeters (M = 49) and the US or UK number is the chest in inches (M = 39).
Children's sizes go by height: an EU 116 fits a child about 116 cm (45 5/8 in) tall, usually around 6 years old. The converter covers ages 2 to 14 (92 to 164 cm). Go by height and chest rather than age.
Why your sewing size is not your shop size
Ready-to-wear labels differ between brands, and pattern companies each use their own charts; many commercial patterns run a size or two larger than shop sizes. So choose a pattern size from your measurements, not from the label in your clothes: usually the bust for tops and dresses, the hip for skirts and trousers. How to choose your size explains it in detail, and why EU, US and UK sizes never match covers the history.
When your bust, waist and hip fall in different sizes, which is common, patterns with nested sizes let you blend between lines. A made-to-measure pattern skips the question: Sewly drafts custom-fit patterns from your own measurements, or from one of these standard sizes if you prefer.
How to measure for the converter
- Bust or chest: around the fullest part, tape level all around, arms relaxed.
- Waist: around your natural waist, the narrowest part of the torso.
- Hip: around the fullest part of the hips and seat, feet together.
Measure over underwear, with the tape snug but not tight. The body measurement guide shows each one step by step, and the full size charts list every measurement Sewly uses.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UK 10 in US and EU sizes?
A UK 10 is a US 6 and an EU 38. In body measurements that is about 88 cm (34 5/8 in) at the bust, 72 cm (28 3/8 in) at the waist and 97 cm (38 1/4 in) at the hip.
Should I choose my pattern size from my clothing size?
No. Pattern companies and clothing brands use different charts, and many patterns run larger than shop sizes. Measure your bust, waist and hip and pick the size from the pattern's own chart, or from the closest size this converter finds.
What if my bust, waist and hip are in different sizes?
Choose by the measurement that matters most for the garment: the bust for tops and dresses, the hip for skirts and trousers. Then blend to another size at the waist, or use a made-to-measure pattern drafted from all three.
How do children's sewing sizes work?
European children's sizes are the child's height in centimeters: 116 is for a child about 116 cm (45 5/8 in) tall, usually around 6 years old. Check the chest and waist too, since children of the same height vary.