UK Clothing Sizes vs US, EU and Australian Sizes: A Conversion Guide

You've found the perfect jumper on a UK website. It's in stock, it's a great price, and then you spot the size options: UK 8, 10, 12, 14. Which one is your size? If you're used to US, European or Australian sizing, ordering clothes from a UK store can feel like a guessing game.

It matters more than you might think. When you shop from abroad, a wrong size means more than an inconvenient swap. If your order has been forwarded to another country, sending it back is harder and more expensive than returning it within the UK. Getting the size right the first time saves money and frustration.

This guide gives you clear UK size conversion charts for women's clothing, men's clothing, shoes, kids' sizes and bras, comparing UK to US, EU and Australian sizes. We've also added tips on measuring yourself and buying UK clothes from abroad with confidence.

Quick Answer: UK to US, EU and Australian Women's Clothing Size Chart #

Here's the quick conversion for women's clothing. Find your usual size in any column and read across

These are approximate, general conversions. Sizing varies by brand and style, so always check the retailer's own size guide before you order.

In short: a UK size 12 is typically a US size 8, an EU size 40 and an Australian size 12. UK and Australian women's sizes are usually the same, while US sizes run four numbers lower than UK sizes.

UK to US, EU and Australian Men's Clothing Sizes #

Men's tops are usually sized by chest measurement or by letter (S, M, L, XL). In the UK and US, chest sizes in inches are generally the same. European sizes use a different numbering system, which is typically 10 higher than the UK chest size.

Letter sizes (S, M, L) vary a lot between brands, so use the chest measurement where you can.

In short: a UK size 40 chest is a US size 40, an EU size 50 and typically a medium or large. Australian men's sizes generally follow the same lettering and chest sizing as the UK.

Men's trousers work in a similar way. UK and US waist sizes in inches are usually the same (for example, a 32-inch waist), while European trouser sizes use numeric sizing that varies by brand, so check the retailer's guide.

UK Shoe Size Conversion Chart: Women's, Men's and Kids' #

Shoe sizes are one of the biggest sources of confusion when shopping from abroad, because UK, US and EU sizes all use different scales.

In short: a UK women's size 5 is typically a US size 7 and an EU size 38.

In short: a UK men's size 9 is typically a US size 10 and an EU size 43.

Australian shoe sizing varies by brand and can follow either UK or US scales, so check the brand's own chart. Trainer and boot brands can also fit differently from their usual size.

Kids' shoe sizes #

Children's shoe sizes change quickly and differ between countries. The most reliable approach is to measure your child's foot length in centimetres and compare it with the retailer's size guide, rather than relying on a general conversion.

Kids' and Baby Clothing Sizes #

UK children's clothing is usually labelled by age and height in centimetres, for example 4-5 years or 110 cm. US sizes are more commonly labelled by age or standard sizes such as 4T or 5, and EU sizes are normally based on height in centimetres. Because children grow at different rates, height is the most reliable guide. Always measure and compare with the retailer's chart rather than choosing by age alone.

Bra Sizes: UK vs US #

Bra band sizes (for example 32, 34, 36) are generally the same in the UK and US. Cup sizes match up to DD, but after that they diverge. The UK uses double letters (E, F, FF, G) while US charts often use different letters, such as DDD or a single E. Because of this, a UK cup size doesn't always match the same letter in the US. Check the retailer's own conversion chart before you buy, and be aware that fit varies between brands.

Why Do Clothing Sizes Differ Between Countries? #

There's no single international standard for clothing sizes, and several factors cause the differences:

• Different sizing systems. The UK, US, EU and Australia each developed their own numbering systems.
• Vanity sizing. Some brands label clothes with smaller numbers than the measurements would suggest, so the same label can fit differently from store to store.
• Brand and style differences. Each retailer has its own fit models, so a size 12 in one shop can feel different from a size 12 in another.
• Different fabrics. Stretchy fabrics are more forgiving than structured or tailored ones.

That's why we always recommend using a general chart as a starting point, then checking the specific retailer's size guide.

How to Measure Yourself for an Accurate Fit #

Measuring takes only a few minutes and is the best way to avoid ordering the wrong size. Use a soft tape measure and measure over light clothing or underwear.

1. Bust or chest: measure around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight.
2. Waist: measure around the narrowest part of your waist, usually just above your belly button.
3. Hips: measure around the fullest part of your hips, keeping the tape level.
4. Inseam: for trousers, measure from the top of your inner thigh to your ankle, or measure a pair that already fits you well.
5. Foot length: stand on a piece of paper, mark your longest toe and your heel, and measure the distance in centimetres.

Compare your measurements with the retailer's size guide, which usually lists measurements in both inches and centimetres.

Tips for Buying UK Clothes From Abroad Without Getting the Size Wrong #

• Check the retailer's own size guide first. A general chart is a good starting point, but the store's guide is more accurate for that brand.
• Read customer reviews for fit comments. Look for phrases like "runs small" or "true to size".
• Look at the model's height and size. Many UK retailers state what size the model is wearing, which helps you judge the fit.
• Think about fabric and stretch. If you're between sizes, a stretchy fabric may allow you to size down, while a structured one may need the larger size.
• Check the returns policy before you buy. Remember that returning an item that has been forwarded internationally is more difficult and costly than returning it within the UK, so it pays to choose carefully.
• Don't order several sizes to "try on". This increases your shipping costs, so it's better to measure and choose one.
• Consolidate your orders. If you're buying from several stores, combine eligible parcels into one shipment to help reduce shipping costs.

Shopping for high-street fashion? Our guide to Marks & Spencer clothing and why it's so hard to buy outside the UK covers one of Britain's best-loved clothing retailers, and Which UK Retailers Don't Ship Internationally (and How to Get Around It) explains how to shop stores that restrict overseas orders.

How to Shop UK Clothing Stores From Abroad With Forwardvia #

Many UK fashion retailers only deliver within the UK, or send overseas customers to a separate international website. Forwardvia gives you a UK address so you can shop eligible UK stores like a local customer.

1. Get your free Forwardvia UK address. Sign up and you'll receive a UK delivery address you can use at checkout.
2. Shop and check out like a UK customer. Choose your size using the charts above and enter your Forwardvia UK address as the delivery address.
3. Let Forwardvia receive and consolidate. When your parcels arrive, we'll let you know. You can combine eligible parcels into a single shipment.
4. Choose your international shipping. Select from the options available for your destination and we'll send everything on to you.

Get your free Forwardvia UK address and start shopping UK fashion →

Remember to check your country's customs and import rules before you order, as duties and taxes vary by destination. Planning to shop the sales? See our Early UK Christmas Sales 2026 guide for what to watch.

Common Sizing Mistakes When Shopping UK Stores From Abroad #

Even with a good chart, a few easy-to-make errors catch out international shoppers again and again:

• Assuming the numbers match. A UK size 10 is not a US size 10. It is closer to a US size 6, so always convert before you order.
• Mixing up women's and men's shoe sizes. The conversions differ, and unisex trainers can be listed in either scale.
• Ignoring the brand's own chart. Two UK stores can label the same body measurements with different sizes.
• Forgetting about layers. If you're buying a winter coat or knitwear, think about what you'll wear underneath and whether you need extra room.
• Rushing a sale purchase. Sale items are often final sale or harder to return, so take a minute to check your measurements first.

Getting the right size is the key to happy online shopping, especially when you're buying from another country. A UK size 12 is typically a US 8, an EU 40 and an Australian 12, but remember that brands vary, so use these charts as a starting point and always check the store's own size guide.

Take your measurements, read the reviews, and choose carefully, and you'll be able to enjoy UK fashion from anywhere in the world with a Forwardvia UK address.

Ready to shop UK clothing from abroad? Get your free Forwardvia UK address today →

Frequently Asked Questions #

What is a UK size 12 in US sizes? #

A UK size 12 is typically a US size 8 for women's clothing. In EU sizing it's usually a 40, and in Australia it's usually a size 12.

Are UK and Australian sizes the same? #

For women's clothing, UK and Australian sizes are usually the same, so a UK 10 is generally an Australian 10. Shoe sizing can differ, so always check the brand's chart.

What is a UK size 8 in EU sizes? #

A UK size 8 is typically an EU size 36 for women's clothing and a US size 4.

How do UK shoe sizes compare with US shoe sizes? #

For women, a UK shoe size is typically two sizes lower than the US size, so a UK 5 is usually a US 7. For men, a UK size is typically one size lower than the US size, so a UK 9 is usually a US 10.

Do UK clothing sizes run smaller than US sizes? #

The numbers are different rather than the garments always being smaller. A UK women's size number is typically four higher than the US equivalent, so a UK 12 is about a US 8. Actual fit still varies by brand, so check the retailer's size guide.

Can I return UK clothing if it doesn't fit when I live abroad? #

This depends on the retailer's returns policy. Returning an item that has been forwarded internationally is usually more difficult and costly than returning it within the UK, so check the returns policy before you order and choose your size carefully.