US to China Size Converter
Full US ↔ China conversion charts for clothes and shoes — plus the one rule that matters most below.
Chinese sizes run small. For clothing, go up 1–2 letter sizes from your US size — US S is usually a CN M or L. For shoes, trust the centimeter column. When a listing shows 身高/体重 (height/weight), that beats every chart.
Women's clothing — US to China
| US size | China size | CN height/bust |
|---|---|---|
| 2 (XS) | S | 155/80A |
| 4 (S) | M | 160/84A |
| 6–8 (M) | L | 165/88A |
| 10 (L) | XL | 170/92A |
| 12–14 (XL) | 2XL | 170/96A |
| 16 (2XL) | 3XL | 175/100A |
| 18 (3XL) | 4XL | 175/104A |
Men's clothing — US to China
| US size (chest) | China size | CN height/chest |
|---|---|---|
| 34 (XS) | S | 165/88A |
| 36 (S) | M | 170/92A |
| 38–40 (M) | L | 175/96A |
| 42 (L) | XL | 180/100A |
| 44 (XL) | 2XL | 180/104A |
| 46–48 (2XL) | 3XL | 185/108A |
Women's shoes — US to China
| US size | China (CN/EU) | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 35 | 22.5 |
| 5.5 | 36 | 23.0 |
| 6 | 36.5 | 23.3 |
| 6.5 | 37.5 | 23.8 |
| 7 | 38 | 24.0 |
| 7.5 | 38.5 | 24.3 |
| 8 | 39 | 24.5 |
| 8.5 | 40 | 25.0 |
| 9 | 40.5 | 25.3 |
| 9.5 | 41 | 25.5 |
| 10 | 41.5 | 25.8 |
| 10.5 | 42 | 26.0 |
Men's shoes — US to China
| US size | China (CN/EU) | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 40 | 25.0 |
| 7.5 | 40.5 | 25.3 |
| 8 | 41 | 25.5 |
| 8.5 | 42 | 26.0 |
| 9 | 42.5 | 26.3 |
| 9.5 | 43 | 26.5 |
| 10 | 44 | 27.0 |
| 10.5 | 44.5 | 27.3 |
| 11 | 45 | 27.5 |
| 11.5 | 45.5 | 27.8 |
| 12 | 46 | 28.0 |
| 13 | 47.5 | 28.8 |
Kids' clothing (by height) — US to China
| US size (age) | China size (cm) | Typical height |
|---|---|---|
| 2T (~2 yrs) | 90 | 85–92 cm |
| 3T | 100 | 93–100 cm |
| 4T | 110 | 101–110 cm |
| 5–6 | 120 | 111–120 cm |
| 6X–7 | 130 | 121–130 cm |
| 8 | 140 | 131–140 cm |
| 10–12 | 150–160 | 141–155 cm |
Baby clothing (by height) — US to China
| US size | China size (cm) | Approx. age |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 52 | 0–1 mo |
| 0–3 months | 59 | 1–3 mo |
| 3–6 months | 66 | 3–6 mo |
| 6–9 months | 73 | 6–9 mo |
| 9–12 months | 80 | 9–12 mo |
| 12–18 months | 90 | 12–18 mo |
| 18–24 months | 90–100 | 18–24 mo |
Why Chinese sizes run small — and how to shop around it
Chinese clothing sizes aren't smaller versions of US sizes; they're a different system. Labels like 160/84A describe the body the garment is cut for — 160 cm tall, 84 cm bust — and the domestic retail market's average build differs from what US vanity sizing assumes. Layer on slim Taobao cuts and the famous size shock follows.
Three habits solve it:
- Convert, then size up. Use the charts above, then add a size when between sizes or buying fitted clothes.
- Read the 身高/体重 table on the listing. Sellers publish height/weight guidance for every item; your measurements in metric beat any US conversion.
- Message the seller. Send your height and weight in centimeters and ask which size to order (请问身高 X 体重 Y 穿什么码？). It's a normal question in China, and our phrasebook covers the phrasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Chinese sizes run so small?
Two systems, one collision. Chinese sizing is built around height and body measurements in centimeters (like 160/84A), cut for a different average body than US vanity sizing — and Taobao fast-fashion cuts run slim on top of that. The practical rule from our Taobao guide: go up 1–2 letter sizes from your US size, and always check the listing's own measurement table.
What size am I in Chinese sizes?
For clothing, take your US letter size and add one to two steps (US S usually maps to CN M–L). For shoes, use the tables above — CN shoe sizing follows the centimeter system and lands close to EU sizes. When a listing shows 身高/体重 (height/weight) recommendations, those beat any conversion chart, including this one.
What does 160/84A on a Chinese label mean?
It's the sizing system itself: designed for a body 160 cm tall with an 84 cm bust (or chest, for men's labels like 170/92A). The letter A marks the standard body type. Once you know your height and bust/chest in centimeters, you can read Chinese sizes directly — no conversion needed.
Do international brands in China use these sizes?
No — Zara, Uniqlo, Nike, and other global brands in China use their own international sizing, same as at home. This converter is for local Chinese brands, Taobao and Pinduoduo listings, and local market stalls — the places where the size shock actually happens.
Are Chinese shoe sizes the same as EU sizes?
Very close. Modern Chinese shoe sizing (the number printed as 中国码) is centimeter-based and aligns almost exactly with EU sizing, so a CN 40 and an EU 40 are effectively the same shoe. The centimeter column above is the most reliable number of the three — measure your foot and match it.
Any tips for buying clothes on Taobao as a foreigner?
Check the listing's height/weight chart first, message the seller with your height and weight in metric (they answer size questions all day), and expect slimmer cuts — size up when unsure. The full walkthrough, including payment and delivery setup for foreigners, is our Taobao for foreigners guide.