A skirt has to fit at two places that rarely share a size: the waist, where it fastens, and the hips, which it has to pass over. Dresses add the bust. This calculator reads the three measurements and applies Nike’s skirt and dress chart, giving the size by each measurement and one recommendation for the garment you choose.
How to use the skirt size calculator
- Choose skirt or dress.
- Measure the bust at its fullest point, the waist at its narrowest and the hips at their fullest, with the tape horizontal.
- Enter the three numbers in inches or centimetres.
- Read the sizes. For a skirt the larger of the waist and hip sizes is recommended; for a dress the bust size.
Skirt size formula (chart lookup)
dress size = the size by bust (Nike)
between sizes → smaller for a tighter fit, larger for a looser fit
The ranges and conversions come from Nike’s women’s skirts and dresses chart (retrieved 2026-10-15), which lists body measurements and the US, UK, EU, French, Italian and Korean equivalents.
| Women’s size | Bust (in) | US | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | 27.5 – 29.5 | 0 | 2 | 30 |
| XS | 29.5 – 32.5 | 0–2 | 4–6 | 32–34 |
| S | 32.5 – 35.5 | 4–6 | 8–10 | 36–38 |
| M | 35.5 – 38 | 8–10 | 12–14 | 40–42 |
| L | 38 – 41 | 12–14 | 16–18 | 44–46 |
| XL | 41 – 44.5 | 16–18 | 20–22 | 48–50 |
| XXL | 44.5 – 48.5 | 20–22 | 24–26 | 52–54 |
Worked example
Bust 36 in, waist 29 in, hips 40 in; a skirt.
- Waist 29 → S; hips 40 → M; bust 36 → M.
- For a skirt the larger of waist and hips gives M: US 8–10, UK 12–14, EU 40–42.
Choosing a skirt
- Stretch: pencil skirts in stretch fabric forgive a half size; woven A-lines do not.
- Waistband: a high waist sits at the natural waist; a low waist sits closer to the hips.
- Length: check the hem length on the product page and against your height.
- Lining: a lined skirt is slightly less stretchy, so size up if between sizes.
For trousers and shorts see the Pants / Trouser Size Calculator and Shorts Size Calculator. This page gives general sizing guidance.
Sources
Every figure above comes from these pages, read directly on the dates shown. Brand names are used only to identify published charts.
- Nike — women’s skirts and dresses size chart (bust, waist, hip, international conversions) — checked 2026-10-15
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my skirt size?
Measure the waist and the hips and look both up on the chart. A skirt must fit at both places, so the calculator recommends the larger of the two sizes. Nike’s chart for skirts and dresses uses the bust for dresses, and says to order the size indicated by the bust if bust and waist differ.
Why does the page use the larger of waist and hips for a skirt?
Because a skirt sits on both. A size that closes at the waist but is tight over the hips will pull and ride up. This rule is a practical choice of this page; Nike’s own tip refers to dresses and bust.
What numeric sizes match S, M and L?
Nike pairs a small with US 4–6 (UK 8–10, EU 36–38), a medium with US 8–10 (UK 12–14, EU 40–42) and a large with US 12–14 (UK 16–18, EU 44–46).
What about length?
The chart gives body sizes only. Skirt length depends on the style and your height, so check the garment measurements.
Do plus sizes follow the same chart?
Nike lists 0X to 4X on the same page; the calculator stops at XXL. Use the Dress Size Calculator or Letter Size to Number Converter (S/M/L) for the plus sizes.