The first time we tried to buy a sweater in a Tokyo department store, the salesperson politely held up their largest size and said, “This is our biggest.” It was a US men’s medium. A few years later in Rome, an Italian women’s size 44 turned out to be a US 10 — and also cut significantly slimmer than any US 10 in the closet at home. In Seoul, a “free size” top fit a US small and no one larger. In London, a UK 10 dress was a US 6 at one shop and a US 8 at another, both accurate to their own labels.
International sizing is one of the genuinely confusing parts of travel shopping. A label that says “M” or “40” or “10” means something different in every country — and even within countries vanity sizing, fit philosophy, and body-type assumptions shift the actual garment measurements. This guide gives you conversion tables for the five size systems you will meet most often — US, UK, EU, Japan, and South Korea — plus the practical notes that keep you from walking out of a shop in Florence with pants that fit great until you sit down in them.
How to use these tables
Two warnings up front.
First, these tables are approximations. Each system has its own cut philosophy — EU sizing runs slimmer than US; Japanese sizing is shorter and narrower; UK sizing runs closer to US but with subtle hip-and-bust differences. A “size 40 EU” from one brand is not identical to a “size 40 EU” from another brand, and neither is identical to the US 8 the chart suggests.
Second, always try clothes on before buying. Returns and exchanges are far more friction-heavy abroad than at home. International shipping, currency conversions, and language barriers turn a simple return into a multi-week headache. Trying on three sizes in a fitting room takes fifteen minutes and saves all of that.
With those caveats, the tables below are directionally correct in the vast majority of cases.
Men’s tops (shirts, sweaters, jackets)
| US | UK | EU | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | XS | 44 | S (1) | 90 |
| S | S | 46 | M (2) | 95 |
| M | M | 48 | L (3) | 100 |
| L | L | 50 | XL (4) | 105 |
| XL | XL | 52 | XXL (5) | 110 |
| XXL | XXL | 54 | — (rare) | 115 |
Key notes:
- Japanese men’s sizing runs smaller than elsewhere. A Japanese XL is typically a US L in Western brands and a US M in Japanese domestic brands. If you are above 6’0” or broader than US L, Japanese-brand tops may not have your size at all.
- EU sizing is consistent across Western Europe. The chart applies to Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and most of continental Europe. UK, Nordic countries, and Switzerland are minor variations of the same system.
- Korean sizing uses chest measurements in centimeters. Size 100 means a chest of roughly 100 cm. Divide by 2.54 to convert to inches.
Men’s pants (waist size)
| US (inches) | UK | EU | Japan (cm) | Korea (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 28 | 44 | 71 | 71 |
| 30 | 30 | 46 | 76 | 76 |
| 32 | 32 | 48 | 81 | 81 |
| 34 | 34 | 50 | 86 | 86 |
| 36 | 36 | 52 | 91 | 91 |
| 38 | 38 | 54 | 97 | 97 |
| 40 | 40 | 56 | 102 | 102 |
Key notes:
- US and UK both use inches for waist sizes. The conversion is effectively 1:1.
- EU men’s pants often use both EU size numbers and waist-in-centimeters. A “size 50” is roughly equivalent to a 34-inch waist.
- Japanese cut is narrower through the hip and thigh. A Japanese pant labeled 81 cm waist will fit looser at the waist than equivalent Western pants, but tighter through the seat. Buy a size up if you have an athletic build.
Men’s shoes
| US | UK | EU | Japan (cm) | Korea (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 40 | 25.0 | 250 |
| 8 | 7 | 41 | 26.0 | 260 |
| 9 | 8 | 42 | 27.0 | 270 |
| 10 | 9 | 43 | 28.0 | 280 |
| 11 | 10 | 44 | 29.0 | 290 |
| 12 | 11 | 45 | 30.0 | 300 |
| 13 | 12 | 46 | 31.0 | 310 |
Key notes:
- Japanese shoe sizing uses foot length in centimeters, rounded to the nearest 0.5. This is the most precise system of the five — measure your foot in cm and you have a Japanese size directly.
- Korean sizing uses millimeters. Size 270 = 27.0 cm = US 9.
- EU half sizes exist but are less common than in the US. Stores may not stock every half size. If you are a US 9.5, expect to try 42 and 43.
Women’s tops (shirts, sweaters, blouses)
| US | UK | EU | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS (0-2) | 4-6 | 32-34 | 5-7 (S) | 44 (S) |
| S (4-6) | 8-10 | 36-38 | 9-11 (M) | 55 (M) |
| M (8-10) | 12-14 | 40-42 | 13-15 (L) | 66 (L) |
| L (12-14) | 16-18 | 44-46 | 17-19 (LL) | 77 (XL) |
| XL (16-18) | 20-22 | 48-50 | 21 (3L) | 88 (XXL) |
Key notes:
- Japanese women’s sizing runs small, narrow, and short. Women who are US size 10 or larger frequently struggle to find their size in Japanese-brand tops. Larger international chains (Zara, H&M, Uniqlo) carry Western-sized inventory even in Japan.
- Korean “free size” is a real thing. Many Korean street brands label tops as one-size- fits-all, which in practice means US 0–6. If you are outside that range, look for brands that list explicit sizes.
- UK women’s sizing runs one size larger than US. A UK 12 is roughly a US 10. A UK 8 is a US 6.
Women’s pants and dresses
| US | UK | EU (Italy) | EU (France) | Japan | Korea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 36 | 32 | 5 | 44 |
| 2 | 6 | 38 | 34 | 7 | 55 |
| 4 | 8 | 40 | 36 | 9 | 55-66 |
| 6 | 10 | 42 | 38 | 11 | 66 |
| 8 | 12 | 44 | 40 | 13 | 66-77 |
| 10 | 14 | 46 | 42 | 15 | 77 |
| 12 | 16 | 48 | 44 | 17 | 88 |
| 14 | 18 | 50 | 46 | 19 | — |
Key notes:
- Italian women’s dress sizing runs 4 numbers higher than French. An Italian 44 is roughly a French 40 (both approximately a US 8). This is the most common confusion point in European women’s shopping.
- Italian cut is slimmer than French cut. Even at equivalent sizes, an Italian-cut garment will feel tighter through the waist, hip, and shoulders than a French-cut one.
- Japanese women’s pants often include a hip measurement in centimeters on the label. Look for a second number if you are between Japanese sizes.
Women’s shoes
| US | UK | EU | Japan (cm) | Korea (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2.5 | 35 | 22.0 | 220 |
| 6 | 3.5 | 36 | 23.0 | 230 |
| 7 | 4.5 | 37 | 24.0 | 240 |
| 8 | 5.5 | 38 | 25.0 | 250 |
| 9 | 6.5 | 39 | 26.0 | 260 |
| 10 | 7.5 | 40 | 27.0 | 270 |
| 11 | 8.5 | 41 | 28.0 | 280 |
Key notes:
- UK women’s shoe sizing is unusual — it starts 2.5 sizes lower than US. A US 8 is a UK 5.5, not a UK 8. Double-check this; it is the most-mistaken conversion on the list.
- Japanese women’s shoes over 25.5 cm (roughly US 8.5) are limited. Specialty stores carry larger sizes but most mainstream retailers do not.
- Korean shoe brands often only go up to 250 mm (US 8) in women’s. Above that, switch to international brands.
Regional sizing personalities
Conversion tables only get you halfway. The other half is the cut philosophy of the country you are shopping in. Here are the ones worth knowing.
Japan — small, short, and narrow
Japanese domestic brands assume a smaller, shorter frame than American brands. The shoulders are narrower, the sleeves shorter, the torso shorter, and the leg inseam shorter. Even when the labeled size converts correctly, the cut can feel off. Watch-outs:
- Inseam length. Japanese men’s pants often have a 28” or 30” inseam on sizes where US pants default to 32”. Ask for the length before buying.
- Shoulder fit on jackets. A Japanese L jacket may fit the torso but strain at the shoulders if you have broader-than-average shoulders for your weight.
- Uniqlo and Muji are international-cut. They use Western-friendly fit philosophy even in Japan. If Japanese domestic brands do not fit, these usually do.
- Shoe widths run narrow. If you have wide feet, Japanese-cut shoes may pinch across the ball even in your correct length.
For a full Japan packing framework, see our Japan packing guide.
Italy — slim, structured, stylish
Italian sizing assumes a specific body: relatively narrow through the hip, longer through the torso, with structured tailoring. Italian cuts flatter certain body types beautifully and punish others. Watch-outs:
- Italian women’s pants are slimmer through the hip-to-waist drop. Curvy builds often find Italian cuts tight in the hip when the waist fits.
- Italian men’s jackets assume a drop of 8 (waist is 8 inches narrower than chest). If your waist-to-chest drop is smaller — common in athletic builds — the jacket is loose at the waist.
- Shoulder construction is structured and precise. Italian jackets fit the shoulder beautifully when they fit, and terribly when they do not. There is little middle ground.
Our packing for Italy in summer guide has more on shopping and packing specifics.
United Kingdom — vanity-sized and inconsistent
UK sizing has been drifting over the last two decades. A UK 10 from M&S in 2005 is closer to a UK 12 or 14 from the same retailer today. Watch-outs:
- “UK 10” at high-street fast fashion is often larger than “UK 10” at traditional retailers (M&S, John Lewis, department-store house brands).
- Designer brands and department-store brands use different UK sizes even within the same store. Burberry 10 and Whistles 10 are not the same.
- Bring a soft tape measure and know your measurements in inches. It cuts through all of this.
South Korea — tight, short, “free size”
Korean street-fashion sizing is built for a smaller average frame than US or European sizing. Watch-outs:
- “Free size” means one-size-fits-some. In practice it is around US XS–S.
- Korean pants often have a 26–30” waist range and rarely go above 34”.
- International chains and K-beauty department stores (Lotte, Shinsegae) carry Western- sized inventory. Neighborhood boutiques in Myeongdong and Hongdae typically do not.
France — refined, narrow, longer
French women’s sizing assumes a narrower frame than Italian but longer through the leg and torso. French clothing often reads slightly more understated than Italian. Watch-outs:
- French women’s pants are cut slim through the calf. Deliberate.
- French sizes are numerically smaller than Italian. If you are a US 8, you are probably an Italian 44 and a French 40. Do not cross-convert inside Europe.
Germany and the Netherlands — accommodating
German and Dutch sizing runs closer to American cut philosophy than Italian or French — broader through the shoulder, longer through the torso, more inseam options. If Italian-cut pants have never fit you, German and Dutch brands (Hugo Boss mid-line, G-Star, Scotch & Soda, Arket) often do.
Practical shopping tips abroad
Know your body in actual measurements
Chest, waist, hip, inseam, foot length. Write them down. Carrying a small soft tape measure — or just using one in the fitting room if they have one — eliminates 90% of international sizing confusion. Most boutiques have a tape measure at the till if you ask.
Try on three sizes
If the conversion says you are an Italian 48, bring 46, 48, and 50 into the fitting room. Cut philosophy matters more than label. The right size is whichever fits, regardless of the number.
Ask about returns before buying
Some countries and some brands have strict no-return policies on sale items, foreign-card purchases, or unopened-but-unworn goods. Ask. “Can I return this if it does not fit at home?” is a three-second question that saves enormous headaches.
Budget for tailoring
For high-value pieces — a suit in Hong Kong, a leather jacket in Florence, a coat in Tokyo — local tailoring is cheap and dramatically improves fit. A $30 tailor visit is nothing compared to the cost of the garment and turns a “close enough” into “perfect.”
Bring one well-fitting reference piece
If you are planning serious shopping abroad, bring one garment that fits you perfectly. A tee or a pair of pants. Salespeople can compare measurements directly, and you can use it to gauge new purchases in the fitting room. Especially useful where language is a barrier.
Know which international brands are in-country
Uniqlo, H&M, Zara, COS, Arket, Mango, Gap, and Levi’s are sized consistently with their home markets regardless of where you buy them. A Uniqlo M in Tokyo is the same as a Uniqlo M in New York. If sizing abroad is stressing you out, these are the safe fallbacks. Our travel clothing vs regular clothing guide covers the broader wardrobe question.
Shoes: stick to measured sizing
The single most reliable shoe conversion is foot length in centimeters or millimeters. If you measure your foot (heel to longest toe, standing, in socks you’d wear), you can buy shoes in any country. US 9 = 27 cm = Japanese 27.0 = Korean 270. No vanity sizing, no conversion ambiguity.
Buy for cut, not label
Once you are in the store, ignore the number on the tag. What matters is whether the garment fits your shoulders, drapes correctly over chest and waist, allows you to raise your arms, and sits properly at the hip. A “perfect-fitting size 44” from one Italian brand may be a 46 in another brand or a 40 in a French brand. Fit wins.
What this means for packing
International sizing matters less if you pack well. Bring enough of what you own from home and you are not depending on emergency shopping in a country where nothing fits. Our 10-piece travel wardrobe guide covers the minimalist-but- sufficient approach, and our one-bag capsule wardrobe formula gets even lighter. Pack for the trip you actually have, leave room for one souvenir piece, and treat shopping abroad as optional rather than essential.
FAQ
Do size conversion apps work?
Roughly. They handle the arithmetic but not the cut philosophy. A good app tells you a US 8 converts to an Italian 44; it does not tell you the Italian 44 fits slimmer through the hip than a US 8. Use apps as starting points and fitting rooms for confirmation.
Why is UK women’s shoe sizing so different from US?
Historical. UK shoe sizing is based on an older barleycorn measurement system (1/3 inch per size) that starts at a different zero point than the US system. It is one of the quirks of the broader system, not a mistake on anyone’s part.
Can I just buy my usual size abroad?
Sometimes yes, often no. Mainstream international chains (Uniqlo, Zara, H&M, Gap) are the safest. Local boutiques, regional department stores, and designer brands almost always require trying on. As a default, plan to try on anything that costs more than about $30.
Is vanity sizing real?
Yes, and in every country. Vanity sizing means garments labeled as smaller than they actually are, to flatter the buyer. US brands have drifted noticeably in the last 20 years — a 2005 US size 8 is closer to a current US size 4 or 6. UK and French brands have drifted less; Italian and German brands have drifted the least. One reason measurements beat labels.
How does plus-size shopping work abroad?
It varies enormously. In Japan and Korea, above-US-L sizes are often not carried in domestic brands, and you are best served by international chains or specialty plus-size retailers. In Europe, plus-size availability is improving rapidly in fast fashion (H&M, Zara) but is still limited in designer and boutique sectors. The US and UK have the deepest domestic plus-size inventories. Research specific stores before your trip if plus-size shopping is a goal.
Why do some Italian shops label sizes in “IT” and others in “EU”?
They are the same system. “IT” stands for Italian, and since Italian sizing is the most common continental system, brands often label it as “EU” regardless of country of origin. French sizing is explicitly different and will usually be labeled “FR” to distinguish.
