Asian sizes especially for clothes and shoes coming out of places like China, Japan, and Korea usually come in smaller than what you’d expect from US sizes. The reasons? Folks in Asia tend to have different average body measurements, they like clothes that hug the body more (fitted silhouettes), and factories make stuff based on local body shapes. A lot of people shopping from Asian brands or sites end up going up 1–2 sizes just to get that same comfy feel they’re used to in US sizing. Here’s a straightforward breakdown of the conversions, why things differ, and some real tips so you don’t end up with a pile of returns.
Why Asian Size Conversion to US Confuse Shoppers
Tons of people shopping online get caught off guard with Asian clothing and shoes because the tags show the exact same letters (S, M, L, XL) but actually mean totally different measurements. Asian sizing goes for slimmer, more shaped cuts that match typical Asian body types think shorter height, narrower shoulders, smaller overall frames. Meanwhile US sizing gives you more room with relaxed, looser styles. That mismatch hits hard for buyers from outside Asia.
The real trick is knowing label size (like “M”) doesn’t tell the full story you’ve got to look at the actual garment measurements in centimeters (CM) instead of trusting the letters. This whole guide exists to help you dodge bad fits, too many returns, and all that headache by zeroing in on real body measurements and garment measurements.
What is the International Standard Size, Asian Size, and American Size?
There’s no one worldwide rule for clothing sizing, so everything varies a bunch.
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- ISO standard sizes come from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 8559 series). They push for sizing that actually uses body dimensions (think bust, waist, hips in CM) instead of random letters or numbers. The goal is cutting down on vanity sizing and making things more accurate with real anthropometric data, though not every country jumps on board fully you see it more in Europe, especially for kids’ stuff, and it’s slowly showing up for adult clothes.
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- Asian size (you see this a lot in China, Japan, Korea) goes with number setups (like 160/84 meaning height/bust in China) or letter labels (XS–XXL), but everything bases on slimmer averages.
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- American size sticks to letters (S–XXL) or numbers (women’s like 6–16), usually leaving extra room for bigger, broader builds.
Different Countries Have Unique Sizing Systems
Body types and how factories work aren’t the same everywhere. Asian brands start with smaller base measurements because average heights (say women around 155–165 cm) and people prefer tighter, close-fitting clothes. US sizing makes room for taller folks and wider frames on average.
Look at women’s clothes and the international “XL” (usually something like bust ~102–107 cm, waist ~82–87 cm):
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- International/ISO XL — sticks close to the real measurements, no faking it bigger.
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- Asian XL — ends up matching a US L or even M most times (just smaller in general).
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- US XL — runs bigger, often handling bust ~106–111 cm and feeling looser.
Always compare CM for accuracy.
Asian Clothing Sizes Are Smaller Than American Sizes
Most Asian clothing sits 1–2 sizes below US equivalents thanks to slimmer average bodies, liking for snug styles, and stuff made mainly for local shoppers. People from the US often find tops squeezing the chest or coming up short in length — happens all the time.
Take Uniqlo China and Japan T-shirt Sizes vs. US
| Asia Size | Equivalent US Size | Fit Notes |
| Asian S | US XS | Slim fit, slouchy and length a little short |
| Asian M | US S | Body fit feels too tight |
| Asian L | US M | Regular is slightly smaller than this fit. |
| Asian XL | US L | Length and width are less than this. |
How to Convert Asian Clothing Sizes
Here’s the simple way to do it:
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- Get your own body measurements (bust/chest, waist, hips) in CM.
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- Look at the brand’s size chart to focus on garment measurements (not just body remember to factor in some ease for how it should fit).
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- See how it stacks against US sizes and go up 1–2 if it makes sense.
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- Trust CM numbers way more than letters — that’s the safest bet every time.
Asian Women’s Clothing Size Chart and International Conversion (Nike Example)
| Asian Size | Bust Measurement (cm) | Equivalent US Size | Fit Notes |
| Asian S | 80–84 cm | US XS–S | Slim, narrow cut |
| Asian M | 84–88 cm | US S–M | Fitted around the bust |
| Asian L | 88–92 cm | US M–L | Slightly tight compared to US |
| Asian XL | 92–96 cm | US L | Narrower than standard US fit |
Important Nike Fit Note
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- Nike women’s tops in Asian sizing run smaller and feel narrower
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- Cuts are usually more slim-fit than US versions
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- Always double-check the product-specific size chart, especially if you’re between sizes
Asian Clothing Size Conversion Chart – Men’s Tops, Shirts, Jackets (H&M Example)
| Asian Size | Chest Measurement (cm) | Equivalent US Size | Fit Notes |
| Asian S | 92–96 cm | US XS–S | Slim fit through chest |
| Asian M | 96–100 cm | US S–M | Slightly fitted |
| Asian L | 100–104 cm | US M–L | Narrower than US standard |
| Asian XL | 104–108 cm | US L–XL | Slim shoulders, shorter sleeves |
Important Fit Advice
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- H&M Asian sizing runs slimmer than US sizing
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- Jackets and shirts are often narrow across the shoulders
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- Sleeve length may be shorter, so always check measurements
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- If you’re between sizes, sizing up is recommended
Size Chart Conversion Tips for Clothing E-commerce Sellers
Want fewer headaches and returns? Try these:
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- Tell your clothing supplier straight up: give me actual garment measurements (don’t just send body ones).
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- Check samples yourself: lay the piece flat and measure chest (armpit to armpit ×2), waist, sleeve, total length.
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- Spell it out for customers: throw in pictures, full CM charts, and warnings like “Asian sizes run small size up.”
What is the Asian Shoe Size Conversion Chart?
Shoe sizing really comes down to foot length in CM way more reliable than the mixed letter/number mess in the US. Asian shoes (CN/JP) mark it in mm (so 250 means 25.0 cm foot length).
Asian Women’s Shoe Sizes and Conversions
| Asian Size (CM) | Foot Length | Equivalent US Women’s Size |
| Asian 230 | 23 cm | US 5–6 |
| Asian 240 | 24 cm | US 7–8 |
| Asian 250 | 25 cm | US 8.5–9.5 |
Asian Men’s Shoe Sizes and Conversions
| Asian Size (CM) | Foot Length | Equivalent US Men’s Size |
| Asian 250 | 25 cm | US 7–8 |
| Asian 260 | 26 cm | US 8.5–9.5 |
| Asian 270 | 27 cm | US 10–11 |
Asian Children’s Shoe Sizes and Conversions
For kids, measure their feet and tack on 0.5–1 cm extra for growing room. Asian goes by CM:
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- Asian 160–180 ≈ US Toddler 8–13
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- Asian 190–220 ≈ US Kids 1–5
Asian Shoe Size vs European Shoe Size vs American Shoe Size
Foot length matters most:
| Foot Length (cm) | Asian (CN/JP) | US Men’s | US Women’s | EU |
| 23 | 230 | – | 5–6 | 36 |
| 25 | 250 | 7–8 | 9–10 | 39–40 |
| 27 | 270 | 10–11 | – | 43–44 |
FAQs – Asian Size Conversions to US
Is Asian size smaller than US size?
Yes Asian clothing and shoes typically run 1–2 sizes smaller due to slimmer average body types and fitted preferences.
How do I convert Asian size to US size?
Measure in CM, compare to brand charts, and size up. Use garment measurements over the body for accuracy.
What Asian size should I choose if I wear US Medium?
For clothing, often Asian L or XL (e.g., Asian L ≈ US M for many brands). Check specific charts.
Are Asian shoe sizes the same as US shoe sizes?
No Asian uses CM foot length; convert via charts. US women’s sizes are ~1.5 larger than men’s equivalents.
Why do Asian clothing sizes run small?
Due to smaller average body frames in Asia, cultural preferences for slim fits, and manufacturing standards.
Should I size up when buying clothes from Asia?
Yes, generally 1–2 sizes up for US-like fit. Exceptions: Some brands (e.g., certain Nike or Uniqlo items) vary always verify charts and reviews.