Is EU sizing standardized?

The numeric bust/chest system is standardized under EN 13402, but brands are free to adjust fit within that. An EU 40 fits similarly across brands more consistently than a US 8 does — but not identically.

Why do Italian brands use higher numbers?

Italian sizing (IT) is an older, independent numbering that adds 2 to the general EU number for historical reasons. It's a convention, not a fit difference.

Clothing Sizing

European Clothing Sizes Explained

2 min read · Updated July 1, 2026

The EU number on your clothing label is closer to the truth than the US number. It reflects body measurements — and it has drifted much less over the past forty years.

How the EU numeric scale works

European women's clothing sizes are based on the EN 13402 standard, which sets each size to a specific bust measurement in centimeters. EU 38 = 88 cm bust. EU 40 = 92 cm bust. EU 42 = 96 cm bust. The increment is a clean 4 cm per size. Men's uses chest circumference doubled and rounded, so EU 50 = 100 cm chest.

EU Women's	Bust (cm)	Waist (cm)	US	UK
32	76	60	0	4
34	80	64	2	6
36	84	68	4	8
38	88	72	6	10
40	92	76	8	12
42	96	80	10	14
44	100	84	12	16

Italy and France use different numbers

Italian sizing (IT) sits two above the general EU number for women — IT 40 = EU 38. French sizing (FR) sits two above EU too — FR 38 = EU 36 — but for confusing historical reasons. The numbers coexist on the same tag; look for the country abbreviation.

EU	Italian (IT)	French (FR)	UK	US
36	40	38	8	4
38	42	40	10	6
40	44	42	12	8
42	46	44	14	10
44	48	46	16	12

Why EU brands feel smaller

EU sizes haven't drifted much over the past four decades. US sizes have inflated significantly. When an American shopper wearing a 'US 8' orders an EU 40 (its nominal equivalent), the EU 40 fits like the US 6 they haven't worn since 1998. This is a sizing chart problem, not a body problem.

Men's EU sizing

For men's jackets and shirts, EU numbers = chest measurement in cm ÷ 2. EU 50 = 100 cm chest = US 40 chest = UK 40. For trousers, EU uses waist in cm (48 = 82 cm waist ≈ US 32).

Calculator

Clothing size converter

Frequently asked questions

Is EU sizing standardized?: The numeric bust/chest system is standardized under EN 13402, but brands are free to adjust fit within that. An EU 40 fits similarly across brands more consistently than a US 8 does — but not identically.
Why do Italian brands use higher numbers?: Italian sizing (IT) is an older, independent numbering that adds 2 to the general EU number for historical reasons. It's a convention, not a fit difference.

Keep reading

Calculators

Clothing size converter →

People also searched

european clothing size chart
italian sizing vs eu
eu 38 in us

Reviewed by the SizeAtlas editorial team · Last updated July 1, 2026

EU Women's	Bust (cm)	Waist (cm)	US	UK
32	76	60	0	4
34	80	64	2	6
36	84	68	4	8
38	88	72	6	10
40	92	76	8	12
42	96	80	10	14
44	100	84	12	16

EU Women's	Bust (cm)	Waist (cm)	US	UK
32	76	60	0	4
34	80	64	2	6
36	84	68	4	8
38	88	72	6	10
40	92	76	8	12
42	96	80	10	14
44	100	84	12	16

EU Women's	Bust (cm)	Waist (cm)	US	UK
32	76	60	0	4
34	80	64	2	6
36	84	68	4	8
38	88	72	6	10
40	92	76	8	12
42	96	80	10	14
44	100	84	12	16