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My American friend had just landed in Beijing and needed a few clothes. Nothing on the racks seemed to come in her size, so she picked the one she figured was closest. Back at her place, she couldn’t even get it on.
Nothing was wrong with the clothes, or with her. She’d just read a Chinese size the American way.
Chinese and US letter sizes don’t line up neatly. Many China-market garments fit smaller than the same letter size in the US, but the difference varies a lot by brand, cut, and garment type.
The same thing happens online. A listing from a Chinese seller says Asian sizes, please check the size chart, and the chart is a photo full of characters, centimeters, and a weight range in something called jin. Once you know which parts to read, it’s quick.
Start With Height and Weight
Many Chinese online listings tell you which size suits which height and weight. If you’re used to shopping by S, M, or L, this feels backwards at first, but on many Chinese listings the weight range is more useful than the letter on the button.
The catch is the unit. Height is in centimeters, and weight is often in jin (斤), not kilograms or pounds. One jin is half a kilogram, about 1.1 pounds.
So a chart that says 100 to 110 jin means roughly 50 to 55 kg, or about 110 to 121 lb. Every other weight works the same way, since jin to kg is just a matter of halving.
Height and weight get you close. Shoulders, bust, and hips still vary from person to person, so the measurements in centimeters have the final say.
How to Read a Chinese Size Chart
Chinese size charts tend to use the same handful of words:
| On the chart | Pinyin | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 尺码 | chǐmǎ | Size |
| 身高 | shēngāo | Height, in cm |
| 体重 | tǐzhòng | Weight, often in jin (斤) |
| 胸围 | xiōngwéi | Chest or bust, all the way around |
| 腰围 | yāowéi | Waist |
| 臀围 | túnwéi | Hips |
| 肩宽 | jiānkuān | Shoulder width |
| 袖长 | xiùcháng | Sleeve length |
| 衣长 | yīcháng | Garment length, top to hem |
| 裤长 | kùcháng | Pant length |
| 脚长 | jiǎocháng | Foot length, for shoes |
| 均码 | jūnmǎ | One size |
| 颜色分类 | yánsè fēnlèi | Color options |
Three phrases in the fine print are worth catching, too. Pianxiao (偏小) means the item runs small, and pianda (偏大) means it runs large. Jianyi pai da yi ma (建议拍大一码) means the seller suggests ordering one size up. When a seller tells you that, believe them.
The color list can be a puzzle of its own, since shade names like xingse (杏色, apricot) or zangqing (藏青, navy) don’t always match the photo you had in mind. Some of the more poetic Chinese colors simply don’t have a neat English match.
A few habits make the chart much easier to use:
- Measure yourself in centimeters. A soft tape measure with inches on one side and centimeters on the other, plus two minutes, will do more for you than any conversion table.
- Check what’s being measured. Some charts measure the garment itself, so for a top that isn’t meant to be skin-tight, look for a chest a few centimeters bigger than yours. If the chart lists body measurements instead, match them directly.
- Watch for flat measurements. Pingpu (平铺, laid flat) means the garment was measured lying flat. If the chest column says xiongkuan (胸宽) or banxiongwei (半胸围, half chest), you’re looking at the front width only, so double it for the full circumference. If the number merely looks unusually small, check the seller’s notes before doubling it.
- Allow a little wiggle. Many charts note a tolerance of 1 to 3 cm, since measurements are taken by hand.
One-size items deserve a special warning. Junma means one size, but one size rarely fits everyone. Check the chest, waist, and length, plus any recommended height and weight, before you order.
Chinese Size Chart to US Clothes
There’s no official conversion, but on many seller charts, this is roughly how the letters line up:
| Chinese size | Roughly US |
|---|---|
| M | XS to S |
| L | S |
| XL | M |
| 2XL | L |
| 3XL | XL |
That table only gets you in the neighborhood. Brands cut differently, and a Chinese streetwear label can size very differently from a Chinese office-wear brand.
What Does 170/88A Mean on a Chinese Label?
Clothes made for the Chinese market often carry a code like 170/88A. It’s the national sizing system, separate from any seller’s height-and-weight guide, and it’s refreshingly literal.
The first number is the wearer’s height in centimeters. The second is the chest for tops, or the waist for pants, also in centimeters. So 170/88A fits someone about 170 cm tall with an 88 cm chest.
The letter describes body shape, based on how much smaller the waist is than the chest. A, the standard build, is the one you’ll see most. Y is slimmer through the waist, and B and C are fuller.
If you know your height and chest in centimeters, you can read these labels better than the S, M, and L printed next to them.
Chinese Kids Size Chart to US
Chinese kids’ sizes are the easiest of all. Many use height-based labels, so a size 110 often means a child around 110 cm tall, though brand charts vary.
| Chinese size | Child’s height | Roughly US |
|---|---|---|
| 90 | 85 to 95 cm (about 33 to 37 in) | 2T to 3T |
| 100 | 95 to 105 cm (about 37 to 41 in) | 3T to 4T |
| 110 | 105 to 115 cm (about 41 to 45 in) | 5T to 5 |
| 120 | 115 to 125 cm (about 45 to 49 in) | 6 to 7 |
| 130 | 125 to 135 cm (about 49 to 53 in) | 7 to 8 |
| 140 | 135 to 145 cm (about 53 to 57 in) | 10 |
| 150 | 145 to 155 cm (about 57 to 61 in) | 12 to 14 |
Measure your child against a wall and pick the size closest to their height. Many parents go one size up for growing room, especially for coats and pajamas.
Chinese Shoe Size to US
Many Chinese shoe listings use European-style numbers, like 38 or 42. Conversion charts online disagree by half a size or more, though, so skip the guessing.
The better number is foot length. Many listings include jiaochang (脚长, foot length), and China’s official shoe sizes are based on it, in millimeters. A 240 means a 24 cm foot.
Stand on a piece of paper, mark your heel and longest toe, and measure the distance. Then pick the size whose foot length matches yours, and check the seller’s chart for any extra room they suggest. For chunky sneakers or winter boots, a little extra room helps.
What If It Still Doesn’t Fit?
Even with good measurements, some orders miss. Before you buy, check the return policy, since sending something back to China can cost more than the item.
If a seller does accept returns, you’ll likely get an address in Chinese. Reading a Chinese address is easier than it looks, and it helps to know which part goes in which box before you pay for postage. You’ll need the seller’s phone number on the label too.
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