Size Conversion: Shoe & Clothing Sizes (CN/US/EU/UK)

US M

US W

3.5

2.5

225

4.5

3.5

230

6.5

235

7.5

240

6.5

8.5

5.5

245

7.5

6.5

250

9.5

255

8.5

7.5

260

9.5

8.5

265

11.5

270

12.5

275

13.5

280

Key Takeaways

Anchor to centimeters: measure foot length heel-to-toe; sizes derive: EU ≈ 1.5 × cm + 2-ish, US men ≈ 3 × inches − 22

Shoe example: 25.0cm foot → CN 250, EU 40, US men 7.5, UK 6.5

Clothing CN codes: 170/92A = height 170cm / chest 92cm / regular build (A)

Brand variance: same size differs 1-2 sizes between brands — measure, never assume

Core answer: Clothing size conversion starts with body measurements, not letter sizes: China men's 175/92A means height 175 cm + chest 92 cm + build type A (standard). US/UK "M" ≈ China 170–175; EU size 50 ≈ chest 100 cm. Shoe sizes: China uses millimeters (250 = 25.0 cm foot); US men = (cm − 18) × 1.5 roughly; EU ≈ cm × 1.5 + 2. Always measure, then convert — letter sizes drift ±2 between brands.

The two systems behind clothing sizes

China GB (号型制): 号 = height (cm), 型 = chest/waist (cm), build letter Y/A/B/C (slim to full). 170/88A = height 170, chest 88, standard build.
Letter sizes (S/M/L): no legal standard anywhere; a Uniqlo L ≈ a US brand M ≈ a slim-fit brand XL.

Men's tops quick table

China	US/UK	EU	Chest (cm)
165/84A	XS	44	84
170/88A	S	46	88
175/92A	M	48–50	92
180/96A	L	50–52	96
185/100A	XL	54	100

Shoe conversion (the millimeter truth)

Foot length (mm)	China	US men	US women	EU	UK
240	240	6.5	8	38.5	5.5
250	250	7.5	9	40	6.5
260	260	8.5	10	41.5	7.5
270	270	9.5	11	43	8.5
280	280	10.5	12	44.5	9.5

The one reliable method: stand on paper, mark heel to longest toe, measure in mm = China size. Done. (Feet swell through the day — measure in the evening.)

Worked examples

Example 1 — Buying a US jacket. Chest 96 cm → China 180/96A → US L; slim brands: size up; US "athletic fit" brands: stay.

Example 2 — Sneakers across borders. Foot 255 mm: China 255, US 8, EU 41, UK 7. Sneakers with narrow lasts (many running shoes): +0.5 US.

Example 3 — Kids' sizes. China kids' sizes = height: "130" fits a 125–135 cm child. US 7/8 ≈ 125–130 cm. Buy by height, never by age — a tall 6-year-old wears 130.

Common mistakes and myths

Trusting letters across borders — a US "M" is a China "L" roughly; Japan runs one size SMALLER than China letters.
Ignoring vanity sizing — Western brands inflate: today's US 8 ≈ a 1990s US 12 in women's wear.
EU shoe size = cm × 1.5 — close but it's Paris points (2/3 cm per point): EU = cm × 1.5 + 2 approx; the mm method beats all formulas.
Forgetting width — US shoes come in B/D/2E widths; Chinese and EU default medium. Wide feet in EU shoes: +0.5–1 size or wide models only.
Kids' age labels — "6Y" assumes average height; the height-based China system (120/130/140) is strictly more reliable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert shoe sizes between systems?

Anchor to foot length in cm. Measure heel to longest toe: 25.0cm → CN (new) 250, EU 40, US men's 7.5 / women's 9, UK 6.5. Rules of thumb: EU ≈ 1.5 × last-length... practically: EU = cm × 1.5 + 2 (25 × 1.5 + 2 ≈ 39.5 → 40). US men ≈ (inches × 3) − 22. Women's US = men's + 1.5. Tables beat formulas for edge cases.

How do I measure my foot correctly?

Evening (feet swell through the day), standing with weight on the foot, on paper: mark heel and longest toe, measure the distance. Wear the sock thickness you intend to use. Both feet — 60% of people have a half-size difference; fit the larger foot. Add 0.5-1cm allowance for athletic shoes (toes need room on downhills and long walks).

What do Chinese clothing sizes like 170/92A mean?

Height/chest + build: 170 = designed for 170cm height, 92 = chest circumference 92cm, letter = body type (A regular, B fuller, C large, Y slim). 170/92A ≈ international M ≈ EU 46-48 ≈ US S-M. For pants: 175/80A = height 175, waist 80cm (≈31.5 inch waist). Women's codes use bust instead of chest.

How do CN sizes map to US/EU clothing?

Men's tops rough map: 165/88A = S, 170/92A = M, 175/96A = L, 180/100A = XL, 185/104A = XXL. EU ≈ chest(cm) ÷ 2 (92cm → EU 46). US runs one size generous: CN L often = US M. Women: 160/84A = S, 165/88A = M, 170/92A = L. Vanity sizing drifts every table — always check the brand's own cm chart.

Why does the same size fit differently across brands?

No global enforcement: "M" is a marketing decision. Vanity sizing inflates western brands (a US M today ≈ US L of the 1990s); Asian cuts run smaller and shorter in sleeve/inseam; EU slim fits run narrow. Athletic brands run 0.5-1 shoe size small. The only reliable method: your body measurements (chest/waist/hip/foot) against each brand's cm chart, plus return policy.

What measurements do I need for online clothes shopping?

Five numbers cover 90%: chest (fullest point, level tape), waist (natural waistline), hips (widest), inseam (crotch to ankle), shoulder width (seam to seam). Add foot length for shoes and height/weight for size-recommender tools. Measure over thin clothing, tape snug not tight, and re-measure yearly — bodies drift more than size charts do.