American Clothing Sizes

American clothing sizes were standardized during the 1940s and 50s. Due to several factors, the standards changed and are now based on the US catalog size.

Children’s Sizes

The sizes are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 6X. The baby sizes are NB (5–8 lb), 0-3 mo (8–12/2lb), 3-6 mo (12 1/2–16 1/2 lb), 6-9 mo (16 1/2-20 1/2), 9-12 mo (20 1/2–24 1/2 lb), 18 mo (24 1/2–27 1/2 lb) and 24 mo (27 1/2–30 lb). Toddlers’ sizes are 1/2, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Boys’ and Girls’ Sizes

Sizes for girls are 7, 8, 8 1/2c, 10, 10 1/2c, 12, 12 1/2c , 14 and 141/2c. For boys they are 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20.

Men’s Sizes

In the US, they are S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL and 4XL.

Women’s Sizes

Women’s sizes are 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50. These are for those who are 5’5″–5’6″ (165–168 cm).

Misses’ sizes are 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20. The misses’ sizes cover those 5’5″–5’6″ (165–168 cm) tall. The miss petite sizes (5’1″–5’3″ / 157.5–160 cm) are 0-2mp, 4mp, 6mp, 8mp, 10mp, 12mp, 14mp and 16mp. The half sizes are 10 1/2, 12 1/2, 14 1/2,161/2, 18 1/2, 20 1/2, 22 1/2 and 24 1/2. These particular American clothing sizes are for those with a height of 5’2″–5’3″ (157.5–160 cm).

Women’s Dresses US and European Comparison

The US 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 are equal to the European 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 and 50 respectively. The UK counterparts are 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22. Women’s hats in the US size ranges from 21 to 24 1/2. Their European equivalents are 53, 56, 58, 61 and 62. Stocking sizes in the US ranges from 8 to 11. Their European equivalents are 0, 2, 4 and 8.

Men’s Shirts US and European Comparison

The US sizes 14, 15, 15 1/2, 16, 16 1/2, 17 and 17 1/2 are equal to 36, 38, 39 1/2, 40, 42, 43 and 44. The US men’s suit sizes 32, 34, 36 38, 40, 42 and 44 are equal to the European 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54.

As noted, the system used for American clothing sizes is not applicable in other countries. Aside from this list, there are online conversion calculators that can help. These sites can convert inches, yards, feet to mm, cm, meters and other figures.