Dress Size Chart
Quick answer: find the row where your bust measurement falls, then check the waist against the same row. A US 8 is a UK 12, an EU 40 and a JP 11 — the numbers below are standard US retail ranges, in inches and centimetres.
US dress sizes with measurements
| US | Bust (in) | Waist (in) | Hip (in) | Bust (cm) | Waist (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 31.5–32.5 | 24–25 | 34.5–35.5 | 80–83 | 61–64 |
| 2 | 32.5–33.5 | 25–26 | 35.5–36.5 | 83–85 | 64–66 |
| 4 | 33.5–34.5 | 26–27 | 36.5–37.5 | 85–88 | 66–69 |
| 6 | 34.5–35.5 | 27–28 | 37.5–38.5 | 88–90 | 69–71 |
| 8 | 35.5–36.5 | 28–29 | 38.5–39.5 | 90–93 | 71–74 |
| 10 | 36.5–37.5 | 29–30.5 | 39.5–40.5 | 93–95 | 74–77 |
| 12 | 38–39.5 | 30.5–32 | 41–42.5 | 97–100 | 77–81 |
| 14 | 39.5–41 | 32–33.5 | 42.5–44 | 100–104 | 81–85 |
| 16 | 41–43 | 33.5–35 | 44–46 | 104–109 | 85–89 |
| 18 | 43–45 | 35–37 | 46–48 | 109–114 | 89–94 |
Dress size conversion
Same body, different label. UK sits four numbers above US; Italy adds two to the EU size; Japan sits three above the US.
| US | UK | EU | IT | FR | JP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 32 | 34 | 32 | 3 |
| 2 | 6 | 34 | 36 | 34 | 5 |
| 4 | 8 | 36 | 38 | 36 | 7 |
| 6 | 10 | 38 | 40 | 38 | 9 |
| 8 | 12 | 40 | 42 | 40 | 11 |
| 10 | 14 | 42 | 44 | 42 | 13 |
| 12 | 16 | 44 | 46 | 44 | 15 |
| 14 | 18 | 46 | 48 | 46 | 17 |
| 16 | 20 | 48 | 50 | 48 | 19 |
| 18 | 22 | 50 | 52 | 50 | 21 |
How to measure for a dress
- Bust — around the fullest part, tape parallel to the floor, arms down. Over the bust apex, not under it.
- Waist — the narrowest point, usually just above the navel. Keep a finger under the tape; a cinched reading is how people end up ordering a dress that will not zip.
- Hips — the widest point, feet together, roughly 20 cm below the waist. This is the deciding number for anything fitted through the seat.
The full method, including the four mistakes that cause most returns, is in how to take body measurements. If you do not have a tape, the clothing size calculator estimates the same three numbers from one photo.
Between two sizes?
The fabric decides more than the number. Woven fabrics with no stretch (satin, linen, tailored wool) leave no margin — size up. Stretch jersey and bias-cut dresses forgive a centimetre either way. For formalwear, size to the bust and have the waist taken in; that alteration is routine, while letting a dress out usually is not.
Also check the length: petite and tall ranges shift the waist position, not just the hem, so the same US 8 in a petite cut can sit an inch higher on the body.
Related charts
- Clothing size chart — men's tops, trousers and women's tops.
- Brand size charts — 30 brands, measured in cm.
- Size converter — US, UK, EU, IT, FR and JP side by side.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US 8 dress in the UK?
A US 8 dress is a UK 12, an EU 40, an Italian 42, a French 40 and a Japanese 11. UK women’s sizes run four numbers above US across the range, so the offset is the same at a US 2 (UK 6) and a US 16 (UK 20).
Which measurement decides a dress size?
The bust, for most dresses, followed by the waist. If the dress is fitted through the hips (bodycon, pencil), the hip measurement decides. When bust and waist land in different rows, choose by the bust for A-line and empire styles and by the waist for anything belted or fitted.
Should I size up or down between two dress sizes?
Size up for woven fabrics with no stretch, for anything fitted through the waist, and for formalwear — taking in a dress is cheap, letting one out usually is not. Size down only for stretch jersey or a deliberately loose cut.
Do dress sizes run the same as top sizes?
No. A dress is cut for the whole body, so the same bust measurement can sit in a different size than it would on a top. Use the dress table for dresses and the top table for tops — the numbers drift by about one size.
How do I measure for a dress at home?
Measure the bust at the fullest part, the waist at the narrowest point (usually just above the navel) and the hips at the widest point, keeping the tape parallel to the floor and snug without compressing. Measure over fitted clothing, and measure twice.