The ultimate guide to dress size conversion for 2025

Here's how to know what size women's dress or men's shirts and pants to buy from international sites.

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Sarah Neate

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To take the stress out of shopping online for clothing from other countries, we've researched a few different sources and constructed a few handy conversion charts for all your international online shopping needs. Scroll down for the chart or simply use our handy calculator below.

Measurements

A few easy rules to remember:

  • AU dress sizing is the same as the UK; minus 2 sizes to get your US size.
  • S/M/L can vary hugely – always check the retailer's own sizing chart.
  • French sizes are also used in Belgium and Portugal.
  • German sizes are also used in Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

Women's dress sizes

Women's dress sizes in Australia

Some places like France, Spain, Italy and Germany are sized roughly according to the size of the hip, give or take a few inches. If you know your Australian dress size, matching it up to the hip measurement should give you roughly what your size would be in those countries.

Australian sizeBustWaistHips
INCHES
CM
INCHES
CM
INCHES
CM
4
32
78
24.5
60
34
84
6
33
80.5
25.5
62.5
35
86.5
8
34
83
26.5
65
36
89
10
36
88
28.5
70
38
94
12
38
93
30.5
75
40
99
14
40
98
32.5
80
42
104
16
42
103
34.5
85
44
109
18
45
110.5
37.5
92.5
47
116.5
20
50
127
42.9
109
54.7
139
22
52.8
134
45.7
116
57.5
146
24
55.5
144
48.4
123
60.2
153

Women's dress size chart: International

Australian sizes are measured the same as the UK. So if you're a 10 in Australia, you'll need a 10 from a UK-based store.

If you're purchasing from an American store, you'll need to go 2 sizes smaller. So if you're a 10 in Australia, you're a 6 in the US.

Japanese sizes are 1 digit bigger, rather than 1 size. So a 10 in Australia is an 11 in Japan.

Most other countries' measurements are roughly the same as the hip measurement in inches.

Australia4681012141618202224
UK
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
France & Spain
32
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
50
52
Germany
34
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
50
52
54
Italy
36
38
40
42
44
46
48
50
52
54
56
US
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
Japan
5
7
9
11
13
15
17
19
21
23
27

Men's shirt sizes

Men's shirt sizes in Australia are equal to the size of your chest in inches. If your chest measures 36 inches, you'll be a size 36.

SizeChestNeck
INCHES
CM
INCHES
CM
XXXS
30-32
76-81
14
36
XXS
32-34
81-86
14.5
37.5
XS
34-36
86-91
15
38.5
S
36-38
91-96
15.5
39.5
M
38-40
96-101
16
41.5
L
40-42
101-106
17
43.5
XL
42-44
106-111
17.5
45.5
XXL
44-46
111-116
18.5
47.5
XXXL
46-48
116-121
19.5
49.5

Men's jacket/suit sizes

For some countries, the size you need for a jacket corresponds to the size of your chest in inches. If you know your jacket size in Australia, you'll be able to buy the same size from a store in the US or the UK, which all measure in inches.

If buying from a store in Italy or France, add 10 to the Australian size. For example, if you're a 38 in Australia, you'll be a 48.

USUKItalyFranceAustraliaJapanChest (inches)Chest (CM)
34
34
44
44
34
S
34
86
36
36
46
46
36
36
92
38
38
48
48
38
M
38
97
40
40
50
50
40
L
40
102
42
42
52
52
42
42
107
44
44
54
54
44
LL
44
112

Men's trouser sizes

Similar to how shirt sizes correspond to the size of your chest, pant sizes for men are equal to the size of your waist in Australia. This is also the case in France, the US and UK.

If you're buying pants from an Italian store, add 16 to your size. So if you're a 30 in Australia, you'll be a 46 in Italy.

USUKItalyFranceAustraliaJapanWaist (inches)Waist (cm)
28
28
44
28
28
XS
28
71
29
29
45
29
29
29
74
30
30
46
30
30
S
30
76
31
31
47
31
31
31
79
32
32
48
32
32
M
32
81
33
33
49
33
33
33
84
34
34
50
34
34
L
34
86
35
35
51
35
35
35
89
36
36
52
36
36
XL
36
92
37
37
53
37
37
37
94
38
38
54
38
38
2XL
38
97
39
39
55
39
39
39
99
40
40
56
40
40
3XL
40
102

Common questions about finding your dress size

What clothes size should I be for my height?

There is no specific size you should be for your height; your overall health cannot be determined only by dress size, so it's best to see a doctor if you want advice on what a healthy size would be for you. The average height and weight for a woman in Australia are 70kg and about 161cm tall.

How can I find out my dress size?

The best way to determine your dress size is to use a conversion chart such as the ones above. These are based on our research across the web, but if a retailer you're buying from has its own, it's best to check that out. Use a tape measure to get accurate bust, waist and hip measurements at home.

What dress size is a "Medium"?

This varies from brand to brand and by country. Some stores will consider a medium to be a size 10, while others a size 12-14. As an average, a Medium is likely to be around a size 12. Generally a Small will be an AU 8-10 and a Large an AU 14-16. An Extra Small is likely to be a size 6, with an Extra Large likely to be a size 18. This is all dependent on retailers, dress cut and shape – so we'd always recommend trying a dress on, checking the store's own sizing chart or using a retailer with free returns.

What dress size is plus size?

It absolutely depends on the retailers, but a lot of plus-size-specific retailers will stock from a size 14 or 16.

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Sarah Neate was the global shopping publisher for Finder. See full bio

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