What this calculator does
Dress size numbers are not the same the world over: a US size 8 is not the same number as a UK size 8, even though both describe similar-sized garments. This dress size calculator converts a US size into its commonly published UK, EU and Australian equivalents, using the offsets seen on most general womens dress size charts.
These conversions describe a broad, published convention, not a single enforced standard. Different countries did not adopt one shared numbering system for dress sizes, and individual brands cut and label garments to their own internal size charts anyway, so treat the result here as a solid starting point rather than a guaranteed fit.
The formula
UK and Australian womens dress sizes are conventionally 4 numbers higher than the equivalent US size (so a US 8 lines up with a UK 12 and an AU 12), and EU sizes run 32 numbers higher than the US size (so a US 8 lines up with an EU 40). These offsets come from widely published general size charts, not from body measurements, since actual fit depends heavily on the individual brand.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| US size | The womens dress size number as used in the United States, typically running from about 0 to 20. |
| UK size | The equivalent size number as commonly used in the United Kingdom, conventionally the US size plus 4. |
| EU size | The equivalent size number as commonly used across continental Europe, conventionally the US size plus 32. |
| AU size | The equivalent size number as commonly used in Australia, conventionally matching the UK size (US size plus 4). |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| US dress size | The US womens dress size you want to convert, typically an even number such as 4, 8 or 12. |
When to use it
Shopping from an overseas or international retailer
A garment sized on a UK, EU or Australian chart looks like a different number entirely to a US shopper; converting first avoids ordering a size that reads correctly but is not the one actually wanted.
Working out what dress size you are while travelling
The question "what dress size am I" has a different numeric answer depending on which country's chart is being used; this calculator translates a known US size into what to ask for elsewhere.
Understanding a womens dress size chart printed on a label
A label listing multiple region sizes side by side is exactly this same offset in practice; recalculating it independently is a quick way to check the label agrees with the general published convention.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
US to UK, EU and Australian dress size equivalents
A range of common US dress sizes and their approximate international equivalents.
| US size | UK size (approx.) | EU size (approx.) | Australian size (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 4 | 32 | 4 |
| 2 | 6 | 34 | 6 |
| 4 | 8 | 36 | 8 |
| 6 | 10 | 38 | 10 |
| 8 | 12 | 40 | 12 |
| 10 | 14 | 42 | 14 |
| 12 | 16 | 44 | 16 |
| 14 | 18 | 46 | 18 |
| 16 | 20 | 48 | 20 |
| 18 | 22 | 50 | 22 |
| 20 | 24 | 52 | 24 |
Questions
How do I measure my dress size instead of converting a known one?
Sizing from body measurements alone is unreliable across brands, since every label uses its own internal chart. The more dependable approach is checking the specific brand's own size guide against your bust, waist and hip measurements, then using this calculator only to translate that number into another region's numbering.
Why is a UK size 12 not the same as an EU size 12?
The UK, EU and US never standardised on one shared dress size numbering system. A UK 12 corresponds to roughly a US 8 and an EU 40, which is 28 numbers higher than the same garment's EU size, purely because the three systems count differently, not because the garment is a different size.
Do these conversions work for petite, plus or maternity ranges?
No. The offsets used here reflect general standard womens dress sizing. Petite, plus-size, maternity and children's ranges frequently use their own separate numbering or lettering entirely, and should be checked against that range's own chart.
Is this the same as a shoe or general clothing size converter?
No. This converts dress size numbers between regions. A separate imperial-to-metric height and weight converter is available if what you need instead is body measurements in different unit systems.
For imperial-to-metric height and weight conversion rather than dress size numbers, see the height & weight converter.