Dress Size Chart for Women: US, UK, EU and AU Sizes by Measurement
A women's dress size is chosen by three body measurements: bust, waist and hip. In the US standard for misses sizes (ASTM D5585-11), a size 8 is a 36¼ inch bust, a 28 to 29½ inch waist and a 38½ to 39¼ inch hip. A US 8 is usually a UK 12 and an AU 12. Sizes vary by brand, so use the chart below to find your starting size, then check the brand's own Size Chart before you buy.
This dress size chart for women covers the US standard measurements, how to measure yourself, US, UK, EU and AU conversions, petite and plus sizing, and which measurement matters most for each dress style. At the end there's a section for fashion brands on presenting a dress Size Chart on Shopify.
Women's dress size chart (US, inches)
This table is the ASTM D5585-11 standard for adult female misses sizes 00 to 20, as reproduced on Wikipedia's "US standard clothing size" page. It's based on a height of 5 ft 5½ in. ASTM gives separate waist and hip values for a straighter figure and a curvier figure, so pick the column that's closer to your shape.
| US size | Bust | Waist (straight) | Waist (curvy) | Hip (straight) | Hip (curvy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00 | 31⅛ | 25⅜ | 23⅞ | 33¼ | 34 |
| 0 | 31¾ | 26⅛ | 24⅝ | 33⅞ | 34⅝ |
| 2 | 33 | 26⅞ | 25⅜ | 35⅛ | 35⅞ |
| 4 | 34⅛ | 27⅝ | 26⅛ | 36⅜ | 37⅛ |
| 6 | 35¼ | 28½ | 27 | 37½ | 38¼ |
| 8 | 36¼ | 29½ | 28 | 38½ | 39¼ |
| 10 | 37¼ | 30½ | 29 | 39½ | 40¼ |
| 12 | 38¾ | 32¼ | 30¾ | 41 | 41¾ |
| 14 | 40⅜ | 34 | 32½ | 42½ | 43¼ |
| 16 | 42⅛ | 36 | 34½ | 44¼ | 45 |
| 18 | 44 | 38¼ | 36¾ | 46 | 46¾ |
| 20 | 46 | 40½ | 39 | 48 | 48¾ |
Source: ASTM D5585-11, via Wikipedia, "US standard clothing size". All values are body measurements in inches. ASTM says its inch and metric values should each be used on their own rather than converted back and forth, so this table stays in inches.
Why your size changes from brand to brand
The US standard is voluntary. Wikipedia notes that brands size their products to their own preferences, and that the UK standard, BS 3666:1982, is rarely followed either. Even the standard itself has moved. In the 1995 version of ASTM D5585 a size 8 had a 35 inch bust. In the 2011 version it's 36¼ inches. So treat any dress size chart as a starting point and the brand's own chart as the final word.
How to measure for a dress size chart
Use a soft tape measure, keep it level and snug but not tight, and measure over underwear or a thin layer.
- Bust. Measure around the fullest part of your bust. Farnelli's dress guide suggests wearing the bra you'll wear with the dress.
- Waist. Measure around your natural waist, the narrowest part. If you're not sure where that is, bend to one side and measure at the crease.
- Hip. Measure around the widest part of your hips and seat. Betsy & Adam's chart says this is generally around 8 inches below your waist.
- Length (optional). For dress length, measure from the high point of your shoulder, near the base of your neck, straight down to where you want the hem to sit.
Write the numbers down and compare them with the chart. If your measurements fall in different sizes, which is common, read the section on dress styles below before you choose.
Dress size conversion: US, UK, EU and AU
The table below converts women's dress sizes between countries. It's taken from Wikipedia's "Clothing sizes" comparison of women's dress and suit sizes. The AU column comes from Fred Perry's published conversion chart, which lists UK and Australian sizes as the same number for sizes 6 to 16.
| US | UK | AU | Germany (DE) | France (FR) | Italy (IT) | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | not listed | 30 | 32 | 36 | XXS |
| 2 | 6 | 6 | 32 | 34 | 38 | XS |
| 4 | 8 | 8 | 34 | 36 | 40 | XS |
| 6 | 10 | 10 | 36 | 38 | 42 | S |
| 8 | 12 | 12 | 38 | 40 | 44 | S |
| 10 | 14 | 14 | 40 | 42 | 46 | M |
| 12 | 16 | 16 | 42 | 44 | 48 | M |
| 14 | 18 | not listed | 44 | 46 | 50 | L |
| 16 | 20 | not listed | 46 | 48 | 52 | L |
| 18 | 22 | not listed | 48 | 50 | 54 | XL |
| 20 | 24 | not listed | 50 | 52 | 56 | XL |
| 22 | 26 | not listed | 52 | 54 | 58 | XXL |
| 24 | 28 | not listed | 54 | 56 | 60 | XXL |
Sources: Wikipedia, "Clothing sizes" (US, UK, DE, FR, IT and letter sizes); Fred Perry, women's clothing conversion chart (AU, sizes 6 to 16). Letter sizes in particular vary a lot between brands.
Dress size chart UK to US
To convert a UK dress size to US, take away 4. A UK 10 is a US 6, and a UK 14 is a US 10. To go from US to UK, add 4. Wikipedia gives the inch-based rule behind this: a US size is roughly your bust in inches minus 28, and a UK size is your bust minus 24.
US vs UK dress size chart: why the numbers differ
Both systems count up in twos, but they start from different points. That's why a US 8 and a UK 8 are different sizes. A US 8 matches a UK 12 in the tables above. When a brand only shows one number, check which country's sizing it uses.
What "EU" means on a dress label
There isn't one EU dress size. German, French and Italian sizes use different numbers for the same body. In the table above a UK 10 is a German 36, a French 38 and an Italian 42. Some brands label only "EU" and use the French or German numbers without saying which, so an "EU 38" can be a different size from one shop to the next. If the label says EU, look for the brand's measurement chart.
Are Australian dress sizes the same as UK sizes?
In Fred Perry's conversion chart, yes. UK and Australian women's sizes share the same numbers, so an AU 12 is a UK 12 and a US 8. As with every other system, check the brand's own chart too.
Petite, tall and plus size dresses
Petite dress sizes
Petite isn't a smaller width. It's a shorter cut. Wikipedia describes misses petite as made for women usually under 5 ft 4 in, with sizes marked with a P, as in 10P. Betsy & Adam's chart uses the same bust, waist and hip measurements for its missy and petite sizes. The difference is a shorter overall length, a shorter torso and a higher waist. If your measurements match a size but the waist of a dress usually sits too low on you, try petite.
Tall dress sizes
Wikipedia describes tall sizes as made for women usually 5 ft 8 in or above, written with a T, as in 10T. They keep the misses widths with a longer body and hem.
Plus size dress chart
Plus sizes are usually written with a W (14W, 16W) or as 1X, 2X and up. Farnelli's dress guide describes them as designed with different proportions, not just scaled up, and Wikipedia notes that plus sizes are sometimes cut for a lower bust line. ASTM has a separate plus standard (D6960, sizes 14W to 32W), but ASTM sells its standards rather than publishing the tables, so here is one brand's published chart as an example. Other brands will differ.
| Size | Letter | Bust | Waist | Hip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14W | 1X | 44 | 38 | 44 |
| 16W | 1X | 45½ | 39½ | 45½ |
| 18W | 2X | 47 | 41 | 47 |
| 20W | 2X | 49 | 43 | 49 |
| 22W | 3X | 51 | 45 | 51 |
| 24W | 3X | 53 | 47 | 53 |
Source: Betsy & Adam, "Size Chart Measurements", plus size body measurements in inches.
Which measurement matters for each dress style
When your bust, waist and hip land in different sizes, the style of the dress tells you which one to follow. This table follows the dresses section of Farnelli's plus size sizing guide.
| Dress style | Measurement to follow | If you're between sizes |
|---|---|---|
| A-line | Bust | Size to the bust. The skirt is forgiving at the hip. |
| Fit-and-flare | Bust and waist | Size to the bust and alter the waist if needed. |
| Wrap | Bust coverage | Adjustable, so choose the size that covers the bust comfortably. |
| Sheath | Bust, waist and hip | Size to your largest measurement. |
| Bodycon | Bust, waist and hip | Very fitted. Size up if you're between sizes. |
| Shirt dress | Bust | Size up if the buttons gape. |
| Empire | Bust | The most forgiving at the waist and hip. |
| Maxi | Bust and length | Check the length. Too long is easier to fix than too short. |
Source: Farnelli, "Women's Plus Size Clothing Sizing Guide", dresses section.
Fabric matters too. Farnelli's rule for shoppers between sizes is to size up when the fabric has no stretch, and to go with your preference when it does. Check the fabric on the product page before you choose.
Common questions about women's dress sizes
What size is a US 8 dress in UK sizes?
A US 8 is a UK 12 in Wikipedia's comparison table and in Fred Perry's conversion chart.
What bust size is a size 10 dress?
In the US standard (ASTM D5585-11), a US 10 is a 37¼ inch bust. A UK 10 is a US 6, which is a 35¼ inch bust in the same standard. Always check which country's size you're reading.
Should I size up or down if I'm between dress sizes?
It depends on the style. For a sheath or bodycon dress, follow your largest measurement. For an A-line or empire dress, follow your bust. See the style table above.
Are dress sizes the same as top and trouser sizes?
Not always. A top mostly has to fit at the bust, while a dress has to fit at the bust, waist and hip at once. So the same shopper can be one size in tops and another in dresses. Use the dress chart for dresses.
For fashion brands: presenting a dress Size Chart on Shopify
If you sell dresses, everything above is what your shopper is trying to work out on your product page. A few things make that easier.
Show your own measurements, not just a size number
The standard tables above show how much sizes vary. Your shopper needs your numbers. Show bust, waist and hip for every size, and the length for that dress style. Say clearly whether they're body measurements or garment measurements. Our guide to taking garment measurements covers how to get them, and why the same body gets a different size explains the difference. If you're building the chart from scratch, our guide on how to make a Size Chart for your clothing brand lists the measurements a dress chart needs. If you also sell tops, our hoodie Size Chart guide covers what changes for a garment measured flat.
Say which country's sizing you use
If you sell internationally, show the US, UK, EU and AU size for each row, and name the EU system (German or French) instead of writing only "EU".
Add a fit note per style
One line on the product is enough: "Fitted through the waist, size to your largest measurement" for a sheath, or "Relaxed through the hip, follow your bust" for an A-line. That answers the question shoppers have when their measurements fall between sizes.
Put the Size Chart next to the size picker
Shoppers decide their size at the size picker, so that's where the chart is most useful. Show it on the product page, close to where the shopper chooses a size. Our step-by-step guide on how to add a Size Chart to Shopify covers the setup. With AI Frame you can also show a personalized size recommendation beside the size picker, based on the shopper's measurements and your Size Chart, and import the charts you already have from your store, a photo or a PDF as drafts to review first.
Sources
- Wikipedia, "US standard clothing size" (ASTM D5585-11 and D5585-95 misses tables, petite and tall definitions): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._standard_clothing_size
- ASTM International, D5585 "Standard Tables of Body Measurements for Adult Female Misses Figure Type, Size Range 00 to 20" (scope and units note): store.astm.org/d5585-11.html
- Wikipedia, "Clothing sizes" (women's dress size comparison, US and UK bust rule, BS 3666 note): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clothing_sizes
- Fred Perry, size guides, conversion charts (UK and AU women's sizes): fredperry.com/size-guides/conversion-charts
- Betsy & Adam, "Size Chart Measurements" (how to measure, petite and plus body measurements): betsyandadam.com/pages/size-chart-measurements
- Farnelli, "Women's Plus Size Clothing Sizing Guide" (measurement to follow by dress style): farnelli.com/blogs/fit-size-guides/plus
- Farnelli, "Women's Dresses Sizing Guide" (how to measure, fabric rule between sizes, plus proportions): farnelli.com/blogs/fit-size-guides/women-s-dresses-the-most-comprehensive-sizing-fit-guide
- AI Frame on the Shopify App Store (features): apps.shopify.com/aiframe-virtual-tryon
