Wondering if you’re actually a size 12 or a 14? Sizes seem to differ from store to store in Australia alone, so online shopping opens up a whole new world of confusion with international sizing. To try and make sense of it - we’ve researched a few different sources and constructed a few handy conversion charts for all your international online shopping needs.
A few easy rules to remember:
- AU dress sizing is the same as 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 in measurements:
| Australian size | Bust | Waist | Hips | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 141 | 48.4 | 123 | 60.2 | 153 |
Women’s Dress Size Chart: International
| Australia | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| USA | 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 - in measurements:
| Size | Chest | Neck | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 - international:
| USA | UK | Italy | France | Australia | Japan | Chest (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:
| USA | UK | Italy | France | Australia | Japan | Waist (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 |
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 is 70kg and about 161cm tall.
How to find your 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 their 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 a 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.
Hi, what is a new zeland mens sz41 shirt or large in AU sizing please?
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your message and for visiting finder – the leading comparison website & general information service built to give you advice in your buying decision needs. How are you doing today?
Shirt Size 41 or Large in NZ is Size 16 in UK. Shirt Size 16 in UK is also Size 41 in Australia. Therefore, Size 41 or large in NZ is same as in AU.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Nikki
I am a size 18. What is 18 in China? I don’t want measurements, just eg. XXL or XXXL etc. I sent away to Fashionmia for a size XL, which in Australia is an 18, and it was more like a 10! I am so frustrated. Five items that don’t fit costing $200+ and they’re offering me an $80 coupon! And I can keep the clothes which don’t fit and nothing like the ads
. What to do?
Jean
Hi Jean,
To clarify, did you purchase a dress at Fashionmia?
Please note that we’re a product comparison website and we hold no affiliation with any company we feature on our site. We provide general information on products to assist you in your buying decision process hence we cannot recommend product / service that is rightfully fit for you.
Generally, Asian sizes are smaller compared to UK US or AU sizes. S/M/L can vary hugely – always check the retailer’s own sizing chart.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Nikki
I bought a size XL on line which in Australia is a size 18. However it came from China and while it had size XL on the dress it was more like a 10! What size is an 18 in Chinese please?
Hi Jean!
Thanks for your message and for visiting finder – the leading comparison website & general information service built to give you advice in your buying decision needs. How are you doing today?
Please note that we’re a product comparison website and we hold no affiliation with any company we feature on our site. We provide general information on products to assist you in your buying decision process hence we cannot recommend product / service that is rightfully fit for you.
May I ask from which store did you buy the dress from? You can check the sizing/size chart that they use on their website. For refunds/exchange, you may contact them as well about it.
Hope this helps! Feel free to message us anytime should you have further questions.
Cheers,
Nikki