UK Size Conversion Guide: Clothing and Shoe Sizes for EU, US and Australia
UK Size Conversion Guide: Clothing and Shoe Sizes for EU, US and Australia
TL;DR: British sizes don't match EU or US sizes, and getting it wrong is the most common reason for returning clothes bought from Britain. Women's dress sizes are usually 28 lower than the EU size and 4 higher than the US size, while Australian sizes are the same as British ones. Shoes follow a different scale again. Use the charts below as a starting point, then always check the retailer's own size guide.
Quick Conversion Summary
These rules of thumb cover most conversions. They're approximate, as sizing varies between brands.
| Category | UK to EU | UK to US | UK to Australia |
| Women's clothing | Add 28 | Subtract 4 | Same |
| Men's jackets and suits | Add 10 to chest size | Same | Same |
| Women's shoes | Add about 33 | Add about 2 | Usually as US |
| Men's shoes | Add about 34 | Add about 1 | Usually as UK |
Why British Sizes Are Different
Britain uses its own sizing system: numbers for women's clothing, chest and collar sizes in inches for menswear, and a separate scale for shoes. Many British retailers only show UK sizes, so shoppers abroad need to convert. Returning items to Britain from another country is slow and expensive, so it pays to get the size right first time. If you're buying from retailers that don't ship to your country, a free Send2Hub UK address lets you order like a local shopper and have everything forwarded to you.
Women's Clothing Sizes
| UK | EU | US | Australia |
| 6 | 34 | 2 | 6 |
| 8 | 36 | 4 | 8 |
| 10 | 38 | 6 | 10 |
| 12 | 40 | 8 | 12 |
| 14 | 42 | 10 | 14 |
| 16 | 44 | 12 | 16 |
| 18 | 46 | 14 | 18 |
Quick rule: EU = UK + 28, and US = UK − 4. Shopping from the Netherlands? Our guide to UK webshops for Dutch shoppers covers sizes, payment and customs.
Men's Clothing Sizes
Shirts
British shirt sizes are based on collar size in inches, the same as in the US. As a guide, 15 in is about EU 38, 15.5 in about EU 39 or 40, 16 in about EU 41, 16.5 in about EU 42 and 17 in about EU 43.
Jackets and suits
British jackets use chest size in inches, the same as the US. For European sizes, add 10: a 38 chest is about EU 48, a 40 chest about EU 50 and a 42 chest about EU 52.
Trousers and jeans
Trousers are sized by waist and leg length in inches, as in the US, so a 32/32 is the same in both countries.
Shoe Sizes
Women's shoes
| UK | EU | US |
| 3 | 36 | 5 |
| 4 | 37 | 6 |
| 5 | 38 | 7 |
| 6 | 39 | 8 |
| 7 | 40 | 9 |
| 8 | 41-42 | 10 |
In Australia, women's shoe sizes usually follow US sizing.
Men's shoes
| UK | EU | US |
| 7 | 41 | 8 |
| 8 | 42 | 9 |
| 9 | 43 | 10 |
| 10 | 44-45 | 11 |
| 11 | 45-46 | 12 |
In Australia, men's shoe sizes usually follow UK sizing. Shoe conversions vary more between brands than clothing does, so always check the brand's own chart.
Children's Sizes
British children's clothing is usually sized by age, such as 4-5 years or 7-8 years, sometimes with a height in centimetres. Height is the most reliable guide, so measure your child and compare it with the retailer's chart. Buying school wear? See our guide to UK school uniforms.
Most Common UK Size Questions
UK size 8 in EU: EU 36.
UK size 10 in EU: EU 38.
UK size 12 in EU: EU 40.
UK size 10 in US: US 6.
UK size 14 in US: US 10.
UK women's shoe size 6 in EU: about EU 39.
UK men's shoe size 8 in US: about US 9.
UK size 12 in Australia: AU 12.
How to Measure Yourself Before Using a UK Size Chart
Bust or chest: measure around the fullest part, keeping the tape level.
Waist: measure around your natural waist, usually just above the belly button.
Hips: measure around the widest part of your hips.
Foot length: stand on a sheet of paper, mark your heel and longest toe, and measure the distance between them.
Compare your measurements with the retailer's size guide rather than relying on the size you usually wear at home.
Tips to Get It Right First Time
Read reviews, as shoppers often mention if an item runs large or small. Remember that fit varies by brand: a UK 10 at one retailer can fit like a 12 at another. If you're between sizes, check the product page or ask the retailer before ordering, because sending items back from abroad is costly. And if you're planning a bigger shop, the Black Friday sales are a good time to stock up.
Shopping British Fashion from Abroad
With a free Send2Hub address in Britain, you can order from any British retailer, keep your purchases in free storage (30 days on Individual, 45 on Business, 60 on Premium) and consolidate them into one parcel, typically cutting shipping by 40 to 60%. Compare Royal Mail, Parcelforce, UPS, DHL, FedEx and DPD in our shipping calculator. If a shop won't accept your card, our Shop & Ship service can buy for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UK size 10 in EU sizes?
Usually an EU 38 in women's clothing.
Are UK and US clothing sizes the same?
No. A women's US size is usually 4 lower than the UK size, so a UK 12 is about a US 8.
Are Australian sizes the same as UK sizes?
For women's clothing, usually yes. Shoe sizes can differ.
How do I convert UK shoe sizes to US sizes?
Add about 2 for women and about 1 for men, then check the brand's own chart.
Do all British brands use the same sizing?
No. Fit varies by brand, so always check the retailer's own size guide.
Can I return clothes to a British shop from abroad?
Usually yes, but you'll pay international return postage, so it's worth checking sizes carefully before you order.