For women’s clothing, subtract four from a UK size to find the US equivalent (a UK 10 is roughly a US 6), and for shoes, add about two to a UK size to reach the US size (a UK 5 is roughly a US 7). These rules work as a starting point, but your own bust, waist, hip and foot measurements are what actually confirm the fit.
TL;DR:
- Clothing sizes are most reliably converted by measuring bust, waist, and hips rather than relying solely on label numbers, especially across brands.
- UK sizes are typically two sizes higher than US sizes for clothing, and shoe sizes differ by about two sizes, but measurements remain the most accurate guide.
- Proper foot and body measurements, taken with a tape measure, are essential for selecting the correct shoe width, length, and for fitting garments properly.
- Brand-specific variations and fabric content significantly impact fit, so checking product measurements and reviews is crucial before purchasing.
- A flexible returns policy and a habit of verifying garment measurements make online shopping for clothing safer and more accurate.
Table of Contents
- Clothing size conversion chart: UK, US and EU with body measurements
- Shoe size conversion: UK to US with fit notes
- How to measure your bust, waist and hip for accurate sizing
- Why sizes vary across brands and garment types
- Quick conversion rules of thumb for fast browsing
- Our size guidance and the support behind every order
- Converting lingerie and intimates sizes
- Getting your shoe measurements right: width, arch and foot shape
- What the charts do not tell you
- Shop with confidence using our size guide
- FAQ
- Sources
Clothing size conversion chart: UK, US and EU with body measurements
The table below maps UK sizes 4 to 26 against their US and EU counterparts, alongside the bust, waist and hip ranges that typically correspond to each size. These figures come from standard conversion references and give you a reliable starting point before checking a specific brand’s own chart.
A UK to US clothes size chart confirms that UK sizes typically sit two sizes higher than their US equivalents, so a UK 10 lines up with a US 6. Treat this table as a standardised reference rather than a guarantee. Brands can run a size or two away from these figures depending on their cut, so the measurements matter more than the label once you are choosing between two close options.
Shoe size conversion: UK to US with fit notes
Shoe sizing has fewer variables than clothing, but half-sizes and width still catch people out. The chart below covers the most commonly bought UK women’s shoe sizes against their US equivalents.
| UK size | US size |
|---|---|
| 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 5 |
| 4 | 6 |
| 5 | 7 |
| 6 | 8 |
| 7 | 9 |
| 8 | 10 |
| 9 | typical US equivalent |
The same UK to US shoe conversion guidance notes that adding roughly two sizes to a UK size gets you to the US equivalent, though half-sizes and width fitting can shift that slightly.
A few checks help avoid a wasted shoe order:
- Measure your foot length in centimetres rather than relying on your usual size, since sizing drifts between brands.
- Check whether the brand offers half-sizes, and round up if you are between two whole sizes.
- Read customer reviews for notes on narrow or wide fit before buying.
- Confirm the returns window before you order, in case the fit is off once the shoes arrive.
How to measure your bust, waist and hip for accurate sizing
Getting your own measurements right matters more than any conversion chart. Here is the method that gives consistent results:
- Wear well-fitted underwear and no bulky layers, then stand naturally with your feet together.
- For your bust, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, keeping it level and snug but not tight.
- For your waist, measure around the narrowest point, usually just above your belly button, without pulling the tape in.
- For your hip, measure around the widest part of your hips and bottom, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
- Compare each number to the ranges in the chart above and note which UK size each measurement points to.
If your bust, waist and hip point to different sizes, choose based on the garment. For a fitted dress or tailored trousers, size up to the largest measurement, since taking in a seam is easier than letting one out. For a relaxed or stretch-fabric piece, you can often size down slightly, as the fabric will move with you rather than against you.
Pro Tip: Keep a note of your own measurements in centimetres on your phone. It saves re-measuring every time you shop a new brand.
Why sizes vary across brands and garment types
A UK 12 in one shop can fit completely differently from a UK 12 in another, and the reasons are structural rather than random. Cut and intended fit play a large part: a brand’s “skinny” trouser and its “relaxed” trouser in the same labelled size will sit on the body in very different ways. Fabric content changes things too. A dress with added elastane will stretch and skim the body, while a stiff cotton poplin in the same size will hold its shape and feel tighter across the hips.
Before adding anything to your basket, a few checks reduce the chance of a return:
- Read the specific product measurements rather than relying on the general size label.
- Check customer reviews for comments on whether a piece runs small, large or true to size.
- Note the fabric composition, since high stretch content usually means more forgiving sizing.
- Confirm the returns policy so a wrong guess does not cost you anything beyond the wait.
Our own guidance on common sizing errors when shopping online covers these mistakes in more depth, including how fabric and construction affect the final fit.
Quick conversion rules of thumb for fast browsing
When you are scrolling through an international site and need a fast answer, two rules cover most situations:
- Clothing: subtract 4 from the UK size to estimate the US size (UK 14 becomes roughly US 10).
- Shoes: add about 2 to the UK size to estimate the US size (UK 6 becomes roughly US 8).
These rules break down with unusual cuts, designer labels that size their own way, or small independent brands that do not follow standard charts. In those cases, go straight to the measurements and skip the mental maths. A quick three-step check works for almost any purchase: measure yourself, read the garment’s own measurements, and check the returns window before you commit.
Our size guidance and the support behind every order
Our own UK versus US sizing guide walks through the same bust, waist and hip logic covered above, mapped to the sizes we stock. We built it because label numbers alone rarely tell you enough, and matching your own centimetres to a product’s measurements is the most reliable way to land on the right fit first time.
We offer free UK shipping and a returns period to send anything that is not right, helping to reduce the risk of sizing decisions. Our charts follow the same general UK to US and UK to EU logic set out earlier in this guide, so a size that works out on paper should translate consistently across the pieces we carry.
Converting lingerie and intimates sizes
Lingerie sizing works differently from outerwear, since bra sizes combine a band measurement with a cup letter rather than a single number. UK and US bra sizing generally share the same band numbers, but cup letters can shift by one step between the two systems: a UK 34D often converts to a US 34D or, depending on the brand, a US 34DD, since American cup grading sometimes uses double letters earlier than UK brands do.
For band size, measure snugly under your bust where the band would sit, keeping the tape level all the way round. For cup size, measure around the fullest part of your bust and compare the difference between the two numbers: each inch of difference typically corresponds to one cup letter. Underwear and lingerie in general tend to run truer to standard body measurements than outerwear, since the garments are built around a fit system rather than a loose silhouette, but a brand’s own size guide is still worth checking before you buy, especially for anything with limited stretch like moulded cups or structured bodysuits.
EU lingerie sizing adds another layer, since EU band sizes are numbered differently from UK and US bands, so a straight numerical conversion will not work. When shopping a European intimates brand, go by the cup and band measurement method above rather than trying to match numbers directly.
Getting your shoe measurements right: width, arch and foot shape
Length is only part of getting a shoe size right. Width matters just as much, and two people with the same foot length can need completely different shoe sizes if one has a narrow foot and the other has a wide one. Most UK shoe brands are cut for a standard or medium width, so if you know your foot runs wide or narrow, check whether the brand offers width options or runs generously in that dimension before you buy.
To measure foot length accurately, stand on a piece of paper with your full weight on your foot, trace around it, and measure the longest point from heel to toe in centimetres. Do this for both feet, since many people have one foot slightly larger than the other, and size for the larger one.
Arch height affects comfort more than the labelled size, but it is worth factoring in if you often find shoes pinch or rub despite being the “right” size. A higher arch generally needs more structured support through the middle of the shoe, while a flatter foot tends to sit better in styles with a wider, more flexible base. If you are unsure, trying shoes on later in the day is sensible, since feet naturally swell slightly as the day goes on, giving you a more realistic sense of fit than a morning try-on would.
What the charts do not tell you
Conversion charts are useful precisely because they are consistent, and that consistency is also their limit. A chart cannot tell you how a specific fabric drapes, how generous a brand’s seam allowance is, or whether a “fitted” label means snug or merely not loose. The most common mistake is treating a size conversion as the final answer rather than the first filter.
What is overrated in most sizing advice is the idea that a single rule of thumb can replace measuring. Subtracting four or adding two gets you to the right shelf, not necessarily the right garment. What is underrated is how much a returns policy changes the calculation: when returns are free and the window is generous, the cost of guessing wrong drops close to zero, and that should make shoppers more willing to try a size rather than abandoning a purchase out of uncertainty.
If there is one thing to prioritise, it is building a habit of checking garment measurements before checking the size label. The label is a shortcut; the measurements are the actual answer.
— Mykola
Shop with confidence using our size guide
Once you know your measurements, putting them to use is straightforward. Our size guide sets out the bust, waist and hip ranges for each size we stock, and every product page lists its own measurements so you can compare before adding anything to your basket.
If you want to try the method on something specific, our V-neck mini dress and striped trousers with an elastic waist both list full garment measurements, so you can match your numbers before buying. Every order ships free within the UK, and you have 30 days to send anything back if the fit is not quite right.
FAQ
Is size L the same as a UK 12 or 14?
Letter sizes vary by brand, but L commonly corresponds to a UK 14, with some brands mapping it to a UK 12 instead. Always check the brand’s own conversion chart or garment measurements rather than assuming the letter size is consistent across retailers.
Is a UK size 10 or 12 considered medium?
Medium most often corresponds to a UK 12, though some brands use UK 10 as their medium depending on how they grade their sizing. Checking the specific brand’s size chart against your own bust, waist and hip measurements gives a more reliable answer than the letter alone.
Is a UK size 10 considered slim or average?
A UK 10 sits close to the middle of the standard UK sizing range, corresponding to roughly an 87 centimetre bust, 69 centimetre waist and 93 centimetre hip based on standard conversion charts. Whether that reads as slim or average depends on the comparison point, since UK sizing has shifted over the decades and varies by brand.
What US and EU sizes does a UK 12 or 14 convert to?
A UK 12 generally converts to a US 8 and an EU 40, while a UK 14 converts to a US 10 and an EU 42. These conversions follow standard clothing charts, though individual brands can run slightly larger or smaller than this baseline.
