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United States sizes
Barleycorn (shoes) · Inch-based (clothing)
Numeric shoe sizes based on 1/3 inch increments, letter and numeric clothing sizes that drift over time.
Shoe size step
1/3 inch (8.47 mm)
Women's clothing
0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12...
Men's shirt
Chest in inches (36, 38, 40)
Men's trouser
Waist × Inseam (32 × 32)
US shoe sizing descends from the medieval English Barleycorn system. Each full size equals 1/3 of an inch (8.47 mm); half sizes are 1/6 inch. Men's, women's and kids' scales are offset from each other — a women's US 9 is a men's US 7.5 in the same shoe.
US clothing sizes for women are even numbers (0-20) nominally tied to bust/waist/hip measurements, but the actual measurements have crept larger over the past forty years (vanity sizing). Men's uses chest inches for tops and waist × inseam for trousers.
Common pitfalls
- Women's/men's shoe offset is 1.5 US sizes — mismatch this and unisex shoes fit wrong.
- Kids' sizes flip from 'C' (child) to 'Y' (youth) at US 1Y, then join adult sizing.
- Check the current regional product chart. Country labels do not guarantee length, width or body fit.
Calculators
Brand guides for United States
Related articles
US Clothing Sizes Explained
US clothing sizes are manufacturer labels, not universal body measurements. Use the current brand chart and relevant product dimensions.
US vs EU Shoe Sizes Explained
US and EU shoe labels use different increments. Conversion is approximate and manufacturer-specific, not a universal equation.
Men's vs Women's Shoe Sizes
Men’s and women’s US labels often differ for a shared shoe, but the offset and construction depend on the manufacturer.