Japanese Size Converter — Clothing & Shoes to US/UK/EU
Convert the sizes you see on Japanese shops, Mercari, and Rakuten — women’s number sizes like 9号, Japanese S/M/L, and shoe sizes written in centimeters — into US, UK, and EU sizes. Pick any value and the matching sizes update instantly.
Women’s clothing (Japanese 7号 / 9号 / 11号, S/M/L)
Japanese women’s clothing uses odd number sizes (called gō, 号): 7, 9, 11… — size 9 is the domestic standard “medium”. Letter sizes (S/M/L) map onto the same scale. Choose any column and the rest switch with it.
| Japan (号) | Japan (letter) | US | UK | EU | Bust (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (5号) | XS | 0–2 | 4–6 | 32–34 | 77–80 |
| 7 (7号) | S | 2–4 | 6–8 | 34–36 | 80–83 |
| 9 (9号) | M | 4–6 | 8–10 | 36–38 | 83–86 |
| 11 (11号) | L | 6–8 | 10–12 | 38–40 | 86–90 |
| 13 (13号) | LL / XL | 8–10 | 12–14 | 40–42 | 90–94 |
| 15 (15号) | 3L / XXL | 10–12 | 14–16 | 42–44 | 94–98 |
Ranges are intentional: reputable charts disagree by about one size (e.g. JP 9 is listed as US 4 on some charts and US 6 on others) precisely because Japanese garments are cut small. You will also see “F” or フリーサイズ (free size) on many Japanese listings — that is one-size-fits-most, cut around a Japanese M, so check the actual measurements.
Men’s clothing (Japanese S / M / L / LL)
Japanese men’s sizes look familiar — S, M, L, LL (=XL), 3L — but each label is roughly one size smaller than its US/UK counterpart. A Japanese L fits like a US M.
| Japan | US / UK | EU | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | XS–S | 44–46 | 80–88 |
| M | S–M | 46–48 | 88–96 |
| L | M–L | 48–50 | 96–104 |
| LL / XL | L–XL | 50–52 | 104–112 |
| 3L / XXL | XL–XXL | 52–54 | 112–120 |
Chest ranges follow the Japanese JIS standard. Sleeve and body lengths run short for tall buyers even when the chest fits, so check the listed length (着丈) and sleeve (袖丈) measurements — see the glossary below. Japanese pants are usually sized by waist in cm (e.g. W76 ≈ 30 in).
Shoes (Japanese cm → US / UK / EU)
Japanese shoe sizes are the foot length in centimeters — no abstract scale at all. “27.0” simply means 27 cm. US/UK/EU equivalents below are the common sporting-brand conversions (Nike, ASICS) and shift slightly by brand and last.
Women’s shoes
| Japan (cm) | US | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22.0 | 5 | 3 | 35 |
| 22.5 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 35.5 |
| 23.0 | 6 | 4 | 36 |
| 23.5 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 36.5–37 |
| 24.0 | 7 | 5 | 37.5–38 |
| 24.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 38 |
| 25.0 | 8 | 6 | 38.5–39 |
| 25.5 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 39.5–40 |
| 26.0 | 9 | 7 | 40.5–41 |
Men’s shoes
| Japan (cm) | US | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24.5 | 6.5 | 5.5 | 39 |
| 25.0 | 7 | 6 | 40 |
| 25.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 40.5 |
| 26.0 | 8 | 7 | 41 |
| 26.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 42 |
| 27.0 | 9–9.5 | 8–8.5 | 42.5–43 |
| 27.5 | 9.5–10 | 8.5–9 | 43–44 |
| 28.0 | 10.5 | 9.5 | 44 |
| 28.5 | 11 | 10 | 44.5 |
| 29.0 | 11.5 | 10.5 | 45 |
Japanese shoes tend to be cut narrower than US widths. If you wear a wide (2E/4E) fitting, go up half a size. You may also see millimeters on used listings (“270” = 27.0 cm). UK conversions here follow the major sporting-brand charts (UK ≈ US women’s − 2, US men’s − 1); some brands shift them by another half size, so the brand’s own chart wins.
Japanese garment measurements explained (着丈, 身幅…)
Japanese listings — especially on Mercari and Rakuten — usually give actual garment measurements instead of (or alongside) a size label. These are far more reliable than the label, once you can read them:
| Japanese | Romaji | English | How it’s measured |
|---|---|---|---|
| 着丈 | kitake | Length | From the neck seam (back collar) down to the hem |
| 身幅 | mihaba | Chest width (flat) | Armpit to armpit, garment laid flat — double it to compare with a chest circumference |
| 肩幅 | katahaba | Shoulder width | Shoulder seam to shoulder seam across the back |
| 袖丈 | sodetake | Sleeve length | Shoulder seam to the end of the cuff |
| 総丈 | sōtake | Total length | Top of the waistband (or collar) to the hem — common for pants, skirts, dresses |
| ウエスト | uesuto | Waist width (flat) | Usually the flat one-side width on listings — double it for the waist circumference |
| 股上 | matagami | Front rise | Waistband to crotch seam (pants) |
| 股下 | matashita | Inseam | Crotch seam to the hem of the leg (pants) |
Frequently asked questions
What is Japanese women’s size 9 (9号) in US, UK, and EU sizes?
Japanese size 9 is the standard women’s “medium” in Japan, roughly US 4–6, UK 8–10, or EU 36–38 (bust around 83–86 cm / 32.7–33.9 in). Charts disagree by about one size because Japanese clothing is cut smaller and slimmer than Western sizing, so always compare the listed garment measurements (chest width, length) against an item you own.
How do Japanese shoe sizes work?
Japanese shoe sizes are simply the foot length in centimeters, so “27.0” means 27 cm — about a US men’s 9 (UK 8, EU 42.5). For women, 24.0 cm is about a US women’s 7 (UK 5, EU 38). As a rule of thumb, US men’s size ≈ cm − 18, US women’s size ≈ cm − 17, but the exact conversion shifts by brand, so check the brand’s official chart when available.
Do Japanese clothing sizes run small?
Yes. A Japanese M is usually closer to a US S, and a Japanese L closer to a US M, with shorter sleeves and slimmer cuts overall. “Free size” (フリーサイズ) means one-size-fits-most, cut around a Japanese M. When in doubt, size up one from your usual US/UK size and verify the flat measurements on the listing.
The conversions on this page are approximations compiled from multiple published size guides, including the Nike footwear size charts, the ASICS size & fit guide, the sizeguide.net international women’s chart, and the Japan Rabbit Japanese size charts. Actual sizing varies by brand and garment — when a brand publishes its own chart, use that instead.