Dress Size Calculator
Enter your bust, waist, and hip measurements to find your dress size across four major sizing systems: US, UK, EU, and international letter sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL). Switch between centimetres and inches and your result updates instantly. The calculator uses the measurements-to-size mapping from ASTM D5585 and EN 13402, the standards behind most commercial sizing charts.
How to take your measurements correctly
Accurate measurements are the foundation of finding the right dress size. Use a soft fabric tape measure and stand in your normal posture. For the bust, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, keeping it level across your back and parallel to the floor. Wear a well-fitting, unpadded bra or no bra. For the waist, find the narrowest part of your torso, usually about 2.5 cm above your navel, and measure there while breathing normally. For the hips, stand with your feet together and measure around the widest part of your hips and buttocks, typically about 18-23 cm below your natural waist. Take each measurement twice and use the average.
Understanding the four sizing systems
US sizes use even numbers from 00 to 24 and are the most commonly used in North America and Canada. UK sizes are numerically higher than US by approximately 2, so a US 8 is a UK 10. EU sizes (used across Germany, France, Austria, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia) run roughly 28 values higher than US: a US 8 is EU 38. International letter sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL) group two or three numeric sizes per letter and are most useful for casual garments. This calculator gives you all four simultaneously so you can shop from any retailer without guessing.
When your measurements fall between sizes
Many people find their bust, waist, and hip measurements point to different sizes. When that happens, use the measurement that matters most for the garment. For a fitted bodice or top, size by bust. For trousers or a pencil skirt, size by hips and waist. For a sheath or shift dress with no waist seam, size by the largest measurement and have the fit adjusted by a tailor where needed. If you are between two sizes, choose the larger one for comfort and have it taken in rather than struggling to get into a smaller garment.
Why sizes differ between brands
Even within the same country, dress sizes are not standardised in law. Brands set their own grading, which is why a size 12 from one retailer can fit very differently from a size 12 from another. Fast fashion retailers often use "vanity sizing," which drifts sizes smaller over time to make customers feel thinner. Luxury brands frequently size smaller by European convention. Use your centimetre measurements as the constant and compare them directly to a brand size chart whenever you shop online. The chart on this page follows ASTM D5585 (US/Canada) and EN 13402 (EU), which are the published standards most mid-market brands use as a starting point.
International dress size chart
| Bust (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) | US | UK | EU | Intl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| < 74 | < 58 | < 80 | 00 | 2 | 28 | XXS |
| 74-79 | 58-63 | 80-85 | 0 | 4 | 30 | XXS |
| 79-84 | 63-67 | 85-89 | 2 | 6 | 32 | XS |
| 84-89 | 67-71 | 89-94 | 4 | 8 | 34 | XS |
| 89-94 | 71-76 | 94-99 | 6 | 10 | 36 | S |
| 94-99 | 76-81 | 99-104 | 8 | 12 | 38 | S |
| 99-104 | 81-86 | 104-109 | 10 | 14 | 40 | M |
| 104-109 | 86-91 | 109-114 | 12 | 16 | 42 | M |
| 109-114 | 91-96 | 114-119 | 14 | 18 | 44 | L |
| 114-119 | 96-102 | 119-124 | 16 | 20 | 46 | L |
| 119-124 | 102-108 | 124-130 | 18 | 22 | 48 | XL |
| 124-129 | 108-114 | 130-136 | 20 | 24 | 50 | XL |
| 129-134 | 114-120 | 136-142 | 22 | 26 | 52 | XXL |
| > 134 | > 120 | > 142 | 24+ | 28+ | 54+ | XXL+ |
Measurements in centimetres. Sizes follow ASTM D5585 (US/Canada) and EN 13402 (EU). Individual brands may vary by 1-2 cm.
Frequently asked questions
What three measurements do I need to find my dress size?
You need your bust (fullest part of your chest), your waist (narrowest part of your torso, roughly 2.5 cm above your navel), and your hips (widest part around your hips and buttocks, about 20 cm below your waist). These three measurements correspond to the seam lines of most dresses and together give the most accurate size prediction.
My bust, waist, and hip measurements suggest different sizes. Which do I use?
Size to the garment style. For a strapless or fitted-bodice dress, go by your bust. For a straight or pencil silhouette, go by your hips. For a dress with a defined waist seam, check both bust and hip and size by whichever is larger. A tailor can take in fabric cheaply, but letting out a garment is only possible if there is seam allowance to spare.
How do I convert my US size to a UK or EU size?
For UK, add 2 to your US number: US 8 is UK 10. For EU, add approximately 28 to your US number: US 8 is EU 36-38 (the conversion varies slightly around the mid-range). International letter sizes follow a two-size grouping: S typically covers US 4-6, M covers US 8-10, L covers US 12-14. This calculator shows all four at once based on your measurements rather than an approximate formula.
Does dress size change with age or weight changes?
Yes on both counts. Body shape tends to shift with age, weight change, pregnancy, and menopause even when the numbers on a scale stay similar, because fat and muscle redistribute. Re-measure yourself any time your weight changes by more than about 4-5 kg, after pregnancy, or whenever a previously reliable size no longer fits well.
Can I use this calculator for plus-size dresses?
Yes. The chart covers from US 00 through US 24 and beyond (EU 28 to 54+). Many plus-size brands label their garments with a W suffix (14W, 16W) and are cut with more room through the bust, hips, and across the back even for the same numeric size, so check a brand size guide for the exact grading when ordering from a plus-range collection.
How accurate is the dress size calculator?
The calculator matches your measurements to the nearest standard size row from ASTM D5585 and EN 13402. That gives you the correct starting point for most mainstream brands. Actual fit can vary by one size in either direction depending on the brand, fabric stretch, cut, and style. Always verify against the retailer size chart before purchasing.