Learn how to use the rows, columns, and measurements on a size chart to find the size that best matches your body.
Key Takeaways
- To read a size chart, first take the body measurements the chart asks for, such as your waist, hips, or chest. Find those measurements in the chart, then follow the matching row or column to see which size the brand recommends.
- Before comparing your measurements, check whether the chart uses body measurements or garment measurements and whether the numbers are in inches or centimeters.
- If your measurements fall between sizes, use the measurements most important to the garment’s fit and consider its cut, fabric, stretch, and the retailer’s sizing advice.
- To read an international size chart, find your body measurements in the chart, then follow the matching row to see which US, UK, or EU size the brand recommends.
When online shopping, a size chart gives you measurements you can compare with your own body to find which garment or product size is most likely to fit you. Instead of choosing based only on the size you normally wear, you use the chart to match your measurements with the brand’s unique sizing.
Size charts can look different from one brand or product to the next. Some list body measurements, others list garment measurements, and international charts may even show several sizing systems in one table.
This guide explains how to read a size chart, what common sizing terms mean, how international charts work, and how to avoid mistakes that can lead to the wrong fit.
How Do You Read a Size Chart?
To read a size chart, you first need to find the measurements listed for the part of the body you need to measure, such as your chest, waist, or hips. Compare your measurements with the chart, then follow the matching row or column to find the recommended size.
Most size charts organize sizes in rows and measurements in columns. The first column may list XS, S, M, L, and XL, while the columns beside it show measurements such as waist, hips, inseam, bust, or chest.
For example, imagine you are shopping for pants, and the retailer provides this size chart:
| Women’s Pants Size Chart | |||||
| Body Measurements in Inches | |||||
| Size | US Size | Waist | Hips | Inseam | Front Rise |
| XS | 0–2 | 24.5–26 | 34–36 | 30 | 10 |
| S | 4–6 | 26.5–28 | 36.5–38 | 30 | 10.25 |
| M | 8–10 | 28.5–31 | 38.5–41 | 30 | 10.5 |
| L | 12–14 | 31.5–34 | 41.5–44 | 30 | 10.75 |
| XL | 16–18 | 34.5–38 | 44.5–48 | 30 | 11 |
There are steps you need to take in order to use this chart and find your correct size.
Match Your Measurements to a Size
Let’s say your waist measures 27 inches and your hips measure 37 inches. You’ll find the 27-inch waist is in the second row of the size chart. Same with the 37-inch hips.
Follow that row back to the first column, and you can see that the recommended size is S, or a size small, which this chart also lists as a US size 4–6.
When Your Measurements Fall Between Sizes
When your measurements don’t fall in the same row, compare the measurements that matter most for the garment. Someone with a 28-inch waist and 39-inch hips, for example, falls between the S and M rows. In that case, look at the fit, fabric, and any sizing advice the retailer provides before choosing which size is the right one for you.
For this example, if the garment is fitted through the hips, you might choose a medium because the 39-inch hip measurement is more important to the overall fit than the waist measurement.
Understand What the Measurements Represent
Before comparing your measurements with a size chart, look for a note explaining what the numbers represent. For example, “body measurements in inches” means the chart is based on measurements of the shopper’s body rather than the finished garment, and the measurements are given in inches.
If a chart uses garment measurements instead, the numbers describe the item itself. Garment measurements can differ from body measurements because clothing may include stretch or extra room for the intended fit.
Use the Right Size Chart
Make sure you’re using the size chart for the specific product or product category you’re buying. A brand may use one chart for women’s pants and another for dresses or jackets because different types of clothing can follow different sizing and fit standards.
For example, you might wear a medium in a brand’s tops but need a large in its jackets. Using the chart meant for the item you’re buying gives you a more accurate size recommendation.
What Do the Measurements on a Size Chart Mean?
Size charts use a mix of size labels and body or garment measurements to help you understand how each size is meant to fit. The exact terms vary by product, but these are some of the most common ones you’ll see on different size charts.
Size
“Size” is the label a retailer gives to a group of measurements. It may appear as XS, S, M, L, and XL or as numbers such as 2, 4, 6, and 8.
The size label isn’t descriptive enough to point you to the right size. Two brands can both sell a size M while using different waist, chest, or hip measurements, which is why it’s so important to learn how to read a size chart instead of relying only on your usual size.
US Size
“US size” is the numeric or letter-based size a brand uses for the US market. Women’s clothing, for example, may use numbers such as 0, 2, 4, and 6, while other products use letter sizes.
Use the measurement columns to determine which US size corresponds to your body rather than assuming your usual number will be the same across brands or international size charts.
Bust
“Bust” is the measurement around the fullest part of the bust. It commonly appears on size charts for dresses, tops, blouses, coats, and other garments fitted around the upper body.
Chest
“Chest” is the circumference around the fullest part of the chest. You will often see it on size charts for men’s and unisex shirts, jackets, coats, and other upper-body clothing.
Follow the brand’s measuring instructions when available, since the exact measuring point of the chest can vary.
Waist
“Waist” is the circumference around the part of the waist the retailer asks you to measure. On body-measurement charts, this is commonly around the natural waist.
Don’t assume a 30-inch waist on a body chart means the finished waistband measures exactly 30 inches. The garment may include stretch, ease, or a different rise, so it’s important to learn more about the product before being confident that it’s the right fit for you.
Hips
“Hips” is the measurement around the fullest part of the hips and seat. This measurement is especially important for pants, skirts, shorts, and fitted dresses.
If your waist and hips point to different sizes, consider the garment’s cut and stretch first. Also check whether the retailer advises sizing up or down.
Inseam
“Inseam” is the length along the inside of the leg, typically measured from the crotch to the bottom of the leg. It’s a common measurement on pants and jeans size charts.
Inseam affects length rather than how tightly a garment fits around the body, and some retailers offer one waist size in several inseam lengths.
Rise
“Rise” is a pants measurement that describes the distance from the crotch seam to the top of the waistband. The front rise is measured along the front of the pants, while the back rise is measured along the back. The back rise is usually longer because it has to accommodate the shape of the seat.
Rise affects where pants sit on your torso and how they fit through the waist and seat. A higher rise generally places the waistband higher on the torso, while a lower rise places it farther down.
Sleeve Length
“Sleeve length” is the measurement used to determine how long a garment’s sleeves should be. It commonly appears on size charts for shirts, jackets, and coats.
Sleeve length affects where the cuff falls on your arm rather than how closely the garment fits around your body. Check the retailer’s measuring instructions, since one brand may measure from the shoulder to the cuff while another starts from the center back of the neck.
Shoulder Width
“Shoulder width” measures the distance across the shoulders, usually from one shoulder point or seam area to the other. It can be useful for structured garments such as jackets, button-down shirts, and blazers.
Garment Length
“Garment length” describes how long the finished item is. Depending on the product, it might be measured from the shoulder to the hem, waistband to hem, or another stated starting point.
The item’s garment length can help you estimate where a dress, shirt, coat, or skirt will fall on your body.
How Do International Size Charts Work?
International size charts show how a brand’s measurements relate to sizing systems used in different countries or regions. A single row may include a letter size along with US, UK, or EU size labels.
Just like when you’re reading other size charts, you want to start with the measurements rather than jumping straight to the regional size. Find the row that matches your body measurements, then look across that row for the size listed under the international sizing system you need.
Check the sizing unit, too. Some charts use inches, others use centimeters, and some provide both. Convert your measurements first if the chart uses a different unit from the one you’re used to.
Make Easy-to-Read Size Charts With Kiwi Sizing
Helping your customers read a size chart is easier when the information is clear so they can quickly find the measurements that matter for each product. For Shopify merchants, that means using consistent labels, clear units, and relevant measurements instead of making customers guess what a size means.
Kiwi Sizing helps Shopify store owners create and display product size charts so customers can compare measurements before buying. You can build charts for different products, use AI size chart tools to simplify the sizing process, and give shoppers the information they need without forcing every item into the same generic chart.
Make sizing easier for your customers. Explore Kiwi Sizing, a Shopify size chart app built to help merchants create a clearer sizing experience.
