Japanese Clothing Size to US Converter
Short answer: a Japanese size is usually one size bigger than the same letter in the US. A Japanese L fits about like a US M for women, and a Japanese M like a US S for men. This page uses Uniqlo's official Japan and US size charts for the very same T-shirts, so you can see exactly where the sizes line up.
Japan vs US size chart: women
Body measurements from Uniqlo's Women's Crew Neck T-Shirt, Japan site (cm) and US site (inches).
How to read a Japanese size chart
Japanese shops list garment measurements (the clothes laid flat), not body measurements. Compare them with a piece you already own that fits well. Here are the words you will see:
| Japanese | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 着丈 | kitake | Length, from the top of the shoulder to the hem |
| 身幅 | mihaba | Body width, measured flat across the chest. Double it for the full chest |
| 肩幅 | katahaba | Shoulder width, seam to seam |
| 袖丈 | sodetake | Sleeve length, from the shoulder seam to the cuff |
| 裄丈 | yukitake | Sleeve length from the center back of the neck to the cuff (used for raglan sleeves) |
| バスト | basuto | Bust (full circumference) |
| ウエスト | uesuto | Waist. For pants, often measured flat and doubled |
| ヒップ | hippu | Hip |
| 股下 | matashita | Inseam |
| 総丈 | sōtake | Total length (dresses and skirts) |
| フリーサイズ | furī saizu | "Free size", one size only. Usually made for a Japanese S to M |
Tips before you buy
- Go up one size from your US size as a starting point, then check the garment measurements.
- Sleeves and length run shorter in many Japanese brands. Check 袖丈 and 着丈 if you are tall.
- "Free size" is not one-size-fits-all. Compare 身幅 × 2 with your bust or chest, plus a few cm for ease.
- Every brand and item is different. Even at Uniqlo, an oversized tee and a fitted tee use different charts.
Common questions
Is Japanese M the same as US M?
No. On Uniqlo's charts for the same women's T-shirt, a Japanese M covers a bust of 81–87 cm (about 32–34 in), which falls between a US XS and S. For men, a Japanese M covers a chest of 88–96 cm, which is exactly Uniqlo's US S.
I'm a US women's S. What size should I buy in Japan?
A Japanese M or L. On the same Uniqlo T-shirt, the US S bust range (32¾–35 in, about 83–89 cm) sits right between the Japanese M (81–87 cm) and L (85–91 cm). Choose L if you like a little room.
Do Japanese and Korean sizes match?
Korean shops often use numbers like 55 and 66 instead of letters. They are a different system, so always check the measurements in cm.