US to EU Men's Clothing Size Conversion

For a US to EU men's clothing size conversion, add 10 to a US jacket or suit size (a US 40 is about an EU 50). Shirts work differently: US collar sizes are in inches, and EU collar sizes are in centimeters.

The chart below is a starting point only, because brands cut sizes differently. If you run a store, AI size recommendation for fashion stores shows how to give shoppers a size from your own chart.

What is the US to EU men's size chart for jackets and suits?

This is an example chart. Check your brand's own chart before you order or publish it.

US jacket	EU jacket	Chest (in)	Chest (cm)
36	46	36	91
38	48	38	97
40	50	40	102
42	52	42	107
44	54	44	112
46	56	46	117

The EU number is the US number plus 10. The centimeter column is the inch measurement times 2.54, rounded.

What is the shirt size in EU for a US collar size?

US shirts use the collar in inches. EU shirts use the collar in centimeters, so you multiply by 2.54 and round.

US collar (in)	EU collar (cm)
14.5	37
15	38
15.5	39
16	41
16.5	42
17	43

Shirts sold as S, M or L follow each brand's own chart. A letter size can mean a different chest measurement from brand to brand, so check the chest measurement.

How do you measure yourself for men's sizes?

Measure over a thin shirt, not over a jacket.

1. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms.
2. Measure your waist at the navel, keeping the tape level.
3. Measure your neck at the base, where a collar sits, and add half an inch for comfort.
4. Compare the numbers to the brand's chart.

If you fall between sizes, pick the larger one for a jacket. You can alter a loose jacket more easily than a tight one.

What differs between US and EU men's trousers?

US trousers list waist and inseam in inches. EU labels often use a single number or waist in centimeters. Convert the waist by multiplying inches by 2.54.

Do not convert the inseam by label. Check the length in the product details, then compare with your own inseam. The EU to US women's size guide covers the women's side of the same problem.

What should you check before you buy from a European site?

Run through this short checklist.

• The chart lists body measurements, not garment measurements.
• It shows chest, waist and, for shirts, neck or collar.
• Units are clear: centimeters on most European sites.
• A fit note says "slim," "regular" or "relaxed."
• The return policy covers size exchanges.

If any of these are missing, ask the store before you order.

Why do converted sizes still fit differently?

Brands set their own fit models and fabric stretch. A slim-cut shirt in your usual size can feel tight across the chest. Labels from Asian brands often use their own scale, as the Asian to US size conversion guide explains.

That is why a conversion is a first guess. Fit-related returns are a known cost for stores, covered in where fit-related returns come from.

What does a worked example look like?

Say a US shopper wears a 40 jacket and a 15.5 collar and wants to buy from a European site.

1. The jacket chart points to an EU 50.
2. The collar converts to about 39 cm (15.5 times 2.54).
3. The shopper checks the site's chart for the EU 50 chest range.
4. If the chest range starts at 100 cm and the shopper measures 102 cm, they move up to the EU 52.

The label gave the starting point, and the body measurement made the final call. Always finish with the last step. It takes two minutes and avoids most wrong-size orders.

How can stores help shoppers pick the right size?

Show your own labels and measurements. ZeDaq.ai lets merchants enter their own size guide, one chart per garment type, in Dashboard → Size charts or in the Shopify app.

Shoppers then do a 30-second scan with one photo and their height. The scan recommends the store's own labels and sizes up to the largest relevant measurement.

FAQs

How do I convert trouser waist from inches to centimeters?

Multiply the inches by 2.54. For example, a 32 inch waist is about 81 centimeters.

Is a US medium the same as an EU medium?

Not always. Brands set their own cut, so compare chest measurements rather than the letter.

What is a US 42 jacket in EU sizes?

It is usually an EU 52. Check the brand chart, since slim cuts can run smaller.

Do I convert inches to centimeters for every garment?

Only when a chart lists measurements in a different unit. Multiply inches by 2.54 to get centimeters.

Should I size up if I am between two sizes?

For jackets and fitted shirts, usually yes, because a roomier garment is easier to wear or alter than a tight one. For stretch fabrics, the smaller size can work, so read the fit note first.

Can I use the same chart for suits and casual jackets?

Use it as a guide, but casual jackets are often cut roomier. Read the fit note on the product page.