Ready-made sizes are a starting point, not a measurement. A “Medium” in one brand is a “Large” in another, and a UK 12 is not an EU 12. This lesson shows how to read a size chart with your own measurements, how sizes convert between India, the UK, the US and Europe, and where every conversion stops being reliable.

What you’ll learn

  • How to use your measurements with any brand’s chart.
  • Typical conversions for women’s, men’s and children’s sizes.
  • Why conversion tables are only a guide.
  • What to do when you fall between sizes.

The golden rule

Always use the brand’s own chart with your own measurements. Conversion tables tell you roughly where to look; the brand’s chart tells you what that brand means. Check whether it lists body or garment measurements (Module 6, Ease: why body and garment measurements differ).

  1. Have your bust or chest, waist and hip (and height for children) ready.
  2. Find the brand’s chart for that exact garment type; tops, bottoms and dresses can differ.
  3. Match your largest key measurement for the garment: bust for a blouse, hip for trousers.
  4. Read the reviews and the fit notes (“runs small”, “relaxed fit”).

Women’s sizes: a typical guide

UK US EU (most brands)
8 4 36
10 6 38
12 8 40
14 10 42
16 12 44
18 14 46
20 16 48

India: there is no single national size system in common use yet. Indian brands use S–XXL, UK numbers, or the bust in inches (for example, a “36” kurta for about a 36 in bust). Always check the brand’s chart.

Men’s sizes: a typical guide

Item India / EU UK / US
Shirt collar 38 / 39 / 40 / 42 / 44 (cm) 15 / 15½ / 15¾ / 16½ / 17½ (in)
Suit jacket EU 48 / 50 / 52 / 54 Chest 38 / 40 / 42 / 44 (in)
Trousers EU 46 / 48 / 50 / 52 Waist 30 / 32 / 34 / 36 (in)

Indian trousers are usually labelled by the waist in inches, as in the UK and US.

Children’s sizes, by age and height

Children’s sizes are labelled by age (India, UK), by height in cm (most of Europe) or by age codes (US: 2T, 3T, 4T for toddlers, then 4, 5, 6 and so on). Height is the most reliable.

Age (approx.) Height (cm) EU label US label
0–3 months 56–62 56 / 62 0–3 M
3–6 months 62–68 68 3–6 M
6–12 months 68–80 74 / 80 6–12 M
1–2 years 80–92 86 / 92 12–24 M
2–3 years 92–98 98 2T–3T
3–4 years 98–104 104 3T–4T
4–5 years 104–110 110 4–5
5–6 years 110–116 116 5–6
6–8 years 116–128 122 / 128 6–7
8–10 years 128–140 134 / 140 8–10
10–12 years 140–152 146 / 152 10–12
12–14 years 152–164 158 / 164 12–14

Children of the same age vary widely. Use the height, then check the chest and waist on the brand’s chart.

Where conversion stops working
  • Brands differ more than countries. Two UK 12s from different shops can differ by an inch or more.
  • EU sizes differ between countries: French and Spanish women’s sizes often run one size up from German, and Italian sizes are numbered differently again.
  • “Vanity sizing”: many brands have made garments larger over the years without changing the label number.
  • Petite, tall and plus ranges have their own charts; a petite 12 is not cut like a regular 12.
  • Indian wear (kurtas, blouses, lehengas) is often sized by bust in inches; Western conversions don’t apply directly.
  • Bras, shoes and gloves have separate systems; this lesson doesn’t cover them.
  • Unisex sizes are usually cut on a men’s block; check the chest, shoulder and length.
Between sizes, and buying online
  • Size up for the fullest measurement and have the rest taken in: taking in is easier than letting out.
  • Stretch fabrics: you may size down.
  • Fitted styles: go by the bust (tops) or hip (bottoms).
  • Loose styles: go by shoulder and length.
  • Compare with a garment you own: lay it flat and compare with the brand’s garment measurements, if given.
  • Check the returns policy before buying; read it, don’t assume.
  • Keep labels on until you have tried it.
  • Write down which size fitted in which brand; your own record beats any chart.
Tips, tricks and hacks
  • Keep your numbers on your phone in both inches and cm.
  • Screenshot the chart with the size you ordered.
  • Look for the model’s height and size in product photos; it helps with length.
  • Read the fabric: 100% cotton may shrink; check before choosing a snug size.
  • Kids: buy by height, and check the next washing won’t shrink it.
  • Men’s shirts: collar and sleeve together; a 40 collar with short sleeves exists.
  • Trouser inseam: many brands offer short, regular, long.
  • Converting inches to cm: × 2.54; cm to inches: ÷ 2.54.
  • Abroad: ask shop staff for the brand’s chart; they usually have one.
  • When nothing fits, that’s what tailoring is for.
Problems and how to fix them

I’m a different size in tops and bottoms.

  1. That is very common. Buy separates, or have a dress tailored.
  2. Size for the fuller half and take in the other.
  3. Prevention: check each chart separately.

My usual size doesn’t fit in a new brand.

  1. Check the brand’s chart against your numbers.
  2. Exchange for the size the chart suggests.
  3. Prevention: never buy by label alone.

The child’s size by age is far too small.

  1. Buy by height instead.
  2. Check chest and waist on the chart.
  3. Prevention: keep the child’s height current.

The conversion table and the brand chart disagree.

  1. Trust the brand chart.
  2. Read the fit notes and reviews.
  3. Prevention: use conversion tables only to find where to look.

The garment shrank after washing.

  1. Some fabrics can be gently stretched while damp; others can’t.
  2. Have it let out if seam allowance allows.
  3. Prevention: check fabric care and pre-wash before alterations.

I’m between two sizes in the chart.

  1. Choose by the fullest measurement for that garment.
  2. Consider the fabric’s stretch.
  3. Prevention: know your preferred ease.

The collar fits but the shirt is huge.

  1. Choose a slim fit in the same collar size.
  2. Have the side seams taken in.
  3. Prevention: check chest on the chart as well as collar.
Beginner mistakes and myths
  • “I’m a size 12 everywhere.” Sizes vary between brands and countries.
  • “UK 12 = EU 12.” No; UK 12 is about EU 40.
  • Buying children’s clothes by age only.
  • Treating a size number as a measurement to give a tailor.
As a hobby, for earning, for teaching

As a hobby: keep a personal size record by brand; it makes shopping far easier.

For earning: if you sell ready-made, publish a clear chart with body measurements, and say so.

For teaching: bring three garments labelled the same size from different brands, and measure them.

Check yourself
  • Do you use the brand’s own chart with your own numbers?
  • Do you know whether the chart shows body or garment measurements?
  • Do you buy children’s clothes by height?
  • Do you keep a record of what fitted?
Key terms
  • Size chart: a brand’s table of sizes and measurements.
  • Conversion table: a rough guide between national size systems.
  • Vanity sizing: labels showing smaller numbers than the cut.
  • 2T, 3T, 4T: US toddler sizes.
Sources and uncertain points
  • All conversions are typical retail equivalents from general sizing knowledge, not standards. Brands and countries differ; they need checking before use in any shop chart.
  • An Indian national sizing survey (“India Size”) has been reported, led by NIFT; its charts were not in common use when this lesson was written. Check its current status.
  • Children’s height bands follow common European labelling; individual brands differ.
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