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Japan clothing size converter
Pick a Japanese size, or enter your waist in centimeters, and see the US, UK and European equivalents. Below the tool is a guide to the measurement words used on Japanese shopping sites.
How Japanese sizes work
- Women's tops, dresses and skirts use a number (号, gō): 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15. They often come with a letter too: 9 is M. A Japanese 9 is roughly a US 6.
- Men's tops use letters: S, M, L, LL and 3L. LL is the same as XL, and 3L is the same as XXL. Japanese men's sizes run about one size smaller than US sizes with the same letter, so a Japanese M is close to a US S.
- Pants are usually sold by waist measurement in centimeters, and often also by size letter.
Women's tops, dresses and skirts
| Japan | US | UK | DE | FR | IT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (XS) | 0–2 | 6 | 32 | 34 | 38 |
| 7 (S) | 4 | 8 | 34 | 36 | 40 |
| 9 (M) | 6 | 10 | 36 | 38 | 42 |
| 11 (L) | 8 | 12 | 38 | 40 | 44 |
| 13 (XL) | 10 | 14 | 40 | 42 | 46 |
| 15 (2XL) | 12 | 16 | 42 | 44 | 48 |
Women's pants
| Japan (waist) | US / UK (waist, in) | DE | FR | IT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 58–61 cm (XXS) | 23 | 30 | 32 | 34 |
| 61–64 cm (XS) | 24 | 32 | 34 | 36 |
| 64–67 cm (S) | 25 | 34 | 36 | 38 |
| 67–70 cm (M) | 26–27 | 36–38 | 38–40 | 40–42 |
| 70–73 cm (L) | 28–29 | 40–42 | 42–44 | 44–46 |
| 73–76 cm (XL) | 30 | 44 | 46 | 48 |
Men's tops
| Japan | US letter | US / UK (chest, in) | DE | FR | IT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | XS | 34 | 44 | 38 | 44 |
| M | S | 36 | 46 | 40 | 46 |
| L | M | 38 | 48 | 42 | 48 |
| LL | L | 40 | 50 | 44 | 50 |
| 3L | XL | 42 | 52 | 46 | 52 |
Men's pants
| Japan (waist) | US / UK (waist, in) | DE | FR | IT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68–71 cm (XS) | 27 | 42–46 | 36–38 | 42–44 |
| 71–76 cm (S) | 28–29 | 46–48 | 38–40 | 44–46 |
| 76–84 cm (M) | 30–31 | 48–50 | 40–44 | 46–48 |
| 84–94 cm (L) | 32–33 | 50–54 | 44–48 | 50 |
| 94–104 cm (XL) | 34–35 | 54–58 | 48–50 | 51–52 |
These are approximate. Sizes differ by brand and by cut, so compare the measurements on the product page whenever you can.
Measurement words on Japanese listings
Most Japanese shops list the real measurements of each garment, laid flat. These are more reliable than the size label. Compare them with a similar garment you already own.
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 着丈 | chakitake | Length of the garment, from the back of the neck (or shoulder) to the hem |
| 身幅 | mihaba | Width across the chest, laid flat. Double it for the chest circumference |
| 肩幅 | katahaba | Shoulder width |
| 袖丈 | sodetake | Sleeve length, from the shoulder seam to the cuff |
| 裄丈 | yukitake | Sleeve length measured from the center of the back to the cuff |
| ウエスト | uesuto | Waist, laid flat. Double it for the circumference |
| ヒップ | hippu | Hips, laid flat. Double it for the circumference |
| 股上 | matagami | Rise: from the crotch seam up to the top of the waistband |
| 股下 | matashita | Inseam: from the crotch seam to the hem |
| 総丈 | sōtake | Total length, used for dresses and one-piece items |
| 平置き採寸 | hiraoki saisun | Measured while laid flat on a table |
Measurements are flat, so a chest width (身幅) of 50 cm means a chest circumference of about 100 cm. Allow a few centimeters of difference when a shop notes that sizes were measured by hand (1〜2cm の誤差).
Frequently asked questions
What is a Japanese size 9 in US sizes?
About a US 6 (women's), UK 10, and EU/DE 36. A Japanese 9 is also written M.
What is LL, and what is 3L?
LL is the Japanese label for XL, and 3L is XXL. After 3L the sizes continue as 4L and 5L.
Do I order my usual size?
Often one size up. Japanese sizes are cut smaller than US sizes, especially for men. Check the chest, waist and length measurements on the listing against a garment you own.
Are kids' sizes included?
Not yet. Japanese kids' sizes are given by height in centimeters (90, 100, 110 and so on), which does not map neatly to US and UK age sizes.
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Last updated: 2026-10-01