Online shops mix letter sizes (S, M, L) and number sizes (4, 8, 12, or 32 and 34 for waists). The conversion is not obvious, because a letter is a band of body measurements and a number is one point. This converter turns a letter into the numbers it covers, with the bust, waist and hip measurements behind it.
How to use the letter size to number converter
- Choose women’s or men’s sizing.
- Pick the letter size from the list. Women’s plus sizes are listed as 0X to 4X.
- Read the numbers. For women you get US, UK, EU, French and Italian sizes; for men the waist labels and body measurements.
- Compare your own bust (chest), waist and hips with the ranges shown, to decide whether to go up or down.
Letter size conversion table (formula)
number size = the numeric sizes whose body measurement falls in that band
Women’s conversions are copied from Nike’s international size conversion table, which sits under its tops and bottoms alpha charts (retrieved 2026-10-15). Men’s waist labels were worked out for this page by matching Nike’s men’s numeric chart to its alpha chart, listing every numeric size whose body waist lies inside the letter’s waist range.
Women
| Letter | US | UK | EU | FR | IT | Bust (in) | Waist (in) | Hips (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | 0 | 2 | 30 | 32 | 34 | 27.5 – 29.5 | 21.25 – 23.5 | 30.5 – 33 |
| XS | 0–2 | 4–6 | 32–34 | 34–36 | 36–38 | 29.5 – 32.5 | 23.5 – 26 | 33 – 35.5 |
| S | 4–6 | 8–10 | 36–38 | 38–40 | 40–42 | 32.5 – 35.5 | 26 – 29 | 35.5 – 38.5 |
| M | 8–10 | 12–14 | 40–42 | 42–44 | 44–46 | 35.5 – 38 | 29 – 31.5 | 38.5 – 41 |
| L | 12–14 | 16–18 | 44–46 | 46–48 | 48–50 | 38 – 41 | 31.5 – 34.5 | 41 – 44 |
| XL | 16–18 | 20–22 | 48–50 | 50–52 | 52–54 | 41 – 44.5 | 34.5 – 38.5 | 44 – 47 |
| XXL | 20–22 | 24–26 | 52–54 | 54–56 | 56–58 | 44.5 – 48.5 | 38.5 – 42.5 | 47 – 50 |
| 0X | 16W | 22 | 50 | 52 | — | 44 – 47 | 40 – 43 | 48 – 51 |
| 1X | 18W–20W | 24–26 | 52–54 | 54–56 | — | 47 – 49.5 | 43 – 45.5 | 51 – 54 |
| 2X | 22W–24W | 28–30 | 56–58 | 58–60 | — | 49.5 – 52 | 45.5 – 49 | 54 – 57 |
| 3X | 26W–28W | 32–34 | 60–62 | 60–62 | — | 52 – 55 | 49 – 53 | 57 – 61 |
| 4X | 30W–32W | 36–38 | 64–68 | 66–68 | — | 55 – 58 | 53 – 57 | 61 – 65 |
Men
| Letter | Waist labels inside the range | Chest (in) | Waist (in) | Hips (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | — | 28.1 – 31.5 | 22.5 – 25.5 | 28.5 – 31.5 |
| XS | 26 | 31.5 – 35 | 25.5 – 29 | 31.5 – 35 |
| S | 28 – 30 | 35 – 37.5 | 29 – 32 | 35 – 37.5 |
| M | 32 | 37.5 – 41 | 32 – 35 | 37.5 – 41 |
| L | 34 – 36 | 41 – 44 | 35 – 38 | 41 – 44 |
| XL | 37 – 40 | 44 – 48.5 | 38 – 43 | 44 – 47 |
| XXL | 42 – 46 | 48.5 – 53.5 | 43 – 47.5 | 47 – 50.5 |
| 3XL | 46 – 48 | 53.5 – 58 | 47.5 – 52.5 | 50.5 – 53.5 |
| 4XL | — | 58 – 63 | 52.5 – 57 | 53.5 – 58.5 |
Worked example
A shopper wears a women’s medium and wants to order a numbered dress from a European site.
- Medium is US 8–10, UK 12–14, EU 40–42, FR 42–44, IT 44–46.
- The body measurements are bust 35.5 – 38 in, waist 29 – 31.5 in, hips 38.5 – 41 in.
- If the shopper measures a 40 in bust, that is in the large band (38–41), so the shopper should check the larger numbers on the European site.
For men, a large (L) covers a chest of 41 – 44 in and a waist of 35 – 38 in; the waist labels 35, 36 and 37 fall inside.
Reading the conversion carefully
- Two numbers per letter: go to the lower number for a closer fit and the upper for a looser one.
- European sizing differs by country. Nike’s EU column is not the German column used by some retailers, which can be two lower; see the Dress Size Converter (US/UK/EU/AU).
- Tops versus bottoms: a person can be a medium on top and a large on the bottom. Convert them separately.
- Brand cut matters: slim-fit and oversized styles run a size differently from regular ones.
When you have a tape measure, the Pants / Trouser Size Calculator, Shirt Size Calculator and Dress Size Calculator give a size from your actual measurements. The converter gives general guidance rather than a guarantee of fit.
Sources
Every figure above comes from these pages, read directly on the dates shown. Brand names are used only to identify the published charts.
- Nike — women’s tops size chart (alpha sizes, international conversions) — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — women’s bottoms size chart — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — men’s tops size chart — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — men’s bottoms size chart — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — men’s numeric bottoms chart — checked 2026-10-15
Frequently asked questions
What is a medium in numbers?
On Nike’s women’s chart a medium is US 8 to 10, UK 12 to 14 and EU 40 to 42. For men, a medium covers a 37.5 to 41 inch chest and a 32 to 35 inch waist.
Why does one letter cover two numbers?
A letter size is a band of body measurements, so it spans two numeric sizes. A shopper who is a US 8 and one who is a US 10 can both be a medium.
Are letter sizes the same in every brand?
No. They follow each brand’s chart. This page is based on one brand’s published conversion, so another maker’s medium can be a 6 or a 12. Use the maker’s chart when it is published.
How do plus sizes work?
Many brands label plus sizes 1X, 2X, 3X, with matching US numbers such as 18W to 24W. On Nike’s chart 1X is US 18W–20W and 2X is 22W–24W. See Dress Size Converter (US/UK/EU/AU) for dresses.
How were the men’s numbers worked out?
Nike publishes men’s letters by waist and numeric sizes by body waist as separate charts. The numbers shown are the numeric sizes whose body waist lies inside the letter’s waist range, matched by script, so they are a derived guide.