A suit is bought as two garments with one label: the jacket size, which is your chest measurement in inches, and the trouser waist, plus a length letter for the jacket. Suits are sold in a standard “drop” between the two, so it helps to know your own measurements before you try one on. This calculator takes your chest, waist and height and gives the jacket size, length and trouser waist, together with the European equivalent.
How to use the suit size calculator
- Measure your chest around the widest part, under the arms and across the shoulder blades, tape level.
- Measure your waist at the natural waist, and note your normal trouser size.
- Enter your height without shoes.
- Read the result: jacket size, length (short, regular, long), EU size, trouser waist and the drop.
Suit size formula
EU / Russia size = jacket size + 10
drop = jacket size − trouser waist · typical drop = 6 in
length from height: Short, Regular, Long, Extra Long
The measuring method, the 6 inch drop and the height bands come from the MensUSA suit-size guides, and the EU conversion from the men’s suit table on Wikipedia’s Clothing sizes page (all retrieved 2026-10-15). Length bands vary between retailers, so check the brand’s guide. Heights that fall in the small gaps between printed bands (for example 5′7¼″) are assigned at the midpoint of the gap.
| Jacket (UK/US, in) | EU / Russia | Chest (cm) | Trousers with a 6 in drop (waist, in) | Waist (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 44 | 86 | 28 | 71 |
| 36 | 46 | 91 | 30 | 76 |
| 38 | 48 | 97 | 32 | 81 |
| 40 | 50 | 102 | 34 | 86 |
| 42 | 52 | 107 | 36 | 91 |
| 44 | 54 | 112 | 38 | 97 |
| 46 | 56 | 117 | 40 | 102 |
| 48 | 58 | 122 | 42 | 107 |
| 50 | 60 | 127 | 44 | 112 |
| 52 | 62 | 132 | 46 | 117 |
| Height | Jacket length (MensUSA) |
|---|---|
| 5′4″ to 5′7″ (162.6–170.2 cm) | Short |
| 5′7½″ to 5′11″ (171.5–180.3 cm) | Regular |
| 5′11½″ to 6′2½″ (181.6–189.2 cm) | Long |
| 6′3″ and over (190.5 cm+) | Extra Long |
Worked example
Chest 43 in, waist 37 in, height 5′10″.
- 43 rounds to the even size 44; EU 54.
- Waist 37 rounds to 38, a drop of 6 in, in line with the usual 6.
- 5′10″ is in the regular band: Regular. The suit is a 44R.
Fitting notes
- Shoulders first: a tailor can alter sleeves and the waist, but not the shoulders.
- Different drop: if your waist is much larger or smaller than six inches under your chest, look for suits sold as separates.
- Trousers: the waist is your normal trouser size; the inseam is a separate choice.
- Shirt: wear the shirt you plan to wear with the suit when you measure.
For shirt collars see the Collar / Neck Size Calculator and for jackets and blazers more generally the Jacket / Blazer Size Calculator. This page gives general guidance and does not replace a tailor.
Sources
Every figure above comes from these pages, read directly on the dates shown. Brand names are used only to identify published charts.
- MensUSA — suit size chart: measuring chest, waist and height bands — checked 2026-10-15
- MensUSA — suit sizes guide: the 6 inch drop — checked 2026-10-15
- Wikipedia — Clothing sizes (men’s suits comparison: EU / UK / US) — checked 2026-10-15
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my suit jacket size?
Measure around the widest part of your chest, under your arms and completely round your torso. The jacket size is that number rounded to the nearest even inch, so a 43 inch chest is a size 44. The length letter (short, regular, long) comes from your height.
What is the drop?
The drop is the difference between the jacket size and the trouser waist. MensUSA says the average man has about a 6 inch difference between chest and waist, for example a 44 chest with a 38 waist. Trouser waist is your normal trouser size.
How tall is a regular, short or long suit?
MensUSA uses 5′4″ to 5′7″ for Short, 5′7½″ to 5′11″ for Regular, 5′11½″ to 6′2½″ for Long and 6′3″ and over for Extra Long. Other retailers use slightly different cutoffs, so check the brand’s own guide.
What is the European suit size?
The EU or Russian size is the UK/US size plus 10 on the Wikipedia table: a 40 is a 50, a 44 is a 54. Germany and France calculate suit sizes from the chest in centimetres, so a shop may print different numbers.
Do I need a tailor?
Almost always for a perfect fit. A tailor can shorten sleeves and trouser hems and adjust the waist, but cannot change the shoulders, so choose the jacket size by chest and shoulders first. See also Shirt Size Calculator and Pants / Trouser Size Calculator.