Measure yourself once, use it everywhere
Two measurements cover nearly everything in this index: foot length in centimetres for shoes, and chest circumference plus shoulder width for clothing. Take them once, write them down, and compare those numbers against the table inside each listing instead of converting from the size you wear at home.
- Foot length: heel against a wall, paper under the foot, mark the longest toe, measure in centimetres. Measure in the evening and use the longer foot. Add 0.5 cm for socks.
- Chest: tape under the arms around the fullest part of the chest, level all the way round, snug but not tight, arms down.
- Shoulder: from the outer edge of one shoulder point to the other, across the back — not across the front.
- Sleeve: from the shoulder point to the wrist bone with the arm slightly bent.
- Waist and hip: measure the waist at the narrowest point and the hip at the widest, keeping the tape parallel to the floor.
Lay a jacket you already own flat and measure it the same way to see how a listing's "garment measurement" differs from your body measurement. The difference between the two is the ease built into the cut, and it is usually 4–8 cm on a hoodie.
Shoe size conversion (CN → EU → US → UK)
Chinese shoe sizes are printed as millimetre-based numbers that happen to look like European sizes. Use the foot-length column as the anchor and treat the letter-based columns as a rough cross-reference, because last shapes still shift the fit between brands.
| CN / EU label | EU | US (men) | UK | Foot length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 35 | — | 3 | 22.5 cm |
| 36 | 36 | 4 | 3.5 | 23.0 cm |
| 37 | 37 | 4.5 | 4 | 23.5 cm |
| 38 | 38 | 5.5 | 5 | 24.0 cm |
| 39 | 39 | 6.5 | 6 | 24.5 cm |
| 40 | 40 | 7 | 6 | 25.0 cm |
| 41 | 41 | 8 | 7.5 | 25.5 cm |
| 42 | 42 | 8.5 | 8 | 26.0 cm |
| 43 | 43 | 9.5 | 9 | 26.5 cm |
| 44 | 44 | 10 | 9.5 | 27.0 cm |
| 45 | 45 | 11 | 10.5 | 27.5 cm |
| 46 | 46 | 12 | 11.5 | 28.0 cm |
Wide feet: add half a size rather than a full one. Basketball silhouettes generally run roomier than running and lifestyle models, so a US 9 in one is not always a US 9 in the other.
Clothing size conversion (CN → EU → US)
Chinese tops are graded on a height-and-chest system — the "170 / 88A" style label means a body height of 170 cm with an 88 cm chest. That number is far more informative than the letter next to it, so read both columns.
| Label | CN label | US label | Chest (body) | Waist (body) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 165 / 84A | 34–36 | 88–92 cm | 72–76 cm |
| M | 170 / 88A | 38–40 | 96–100 cm | 80–84 cm |
| L | 175 / 92A | 42 | 104–108 cm | 88–92 cm |
| XL | 180 / 96A | 44 | 112–116 cm | 96–100 cm |
| 2XL | 185 / 100A | 46 | 120–124 cm | 104–108 cm |
| 3XL | 190 / 104A | 48 | 128–132 cm | 112–116 cm |
Two practical rules: if you are between two rows, take the larger one for outerwear you plan to layer, and the smaller one for knitwear that will stretch. If the listing's measurement table lists a garment chest that is less than 6 cm above your body chest, expect a fitted cut.
Reading the measurement table in a listing
- Find the unit. Chinese listings quote centimetres; some brands quote inches. A 68 cm chest is a child's shirt, a 68 inch chest is a typo — check before converting.
- Decide whether it is body or garment measurement. Body measurements tell you who the item fits; garment measurements tell you the flat width of the item itself. Most Chinese listings use garment measurements, doubled for the chest.
- Compare only one column at a time. Pick either chest or length, match your number, and confirm the other column afterwards.
- Note the tolerance. Tables often state ±2 cm. That tolerance is why a size that measures exactly right on paper can still arrive snug.
- Save the table. Keep a screenshot with your order note so that a wrong-size parcel can be checked against the numbers you ordered from.
When to ask your agent instead of guessing
Sizing questions are cheap to ask and expensive to fix. Ask when the chart is missing, when the listing shows two different charts, when the item is a two-piece set graded separately, or when a return will be impossible — swimwear, underwear and custom items usually cannot be resold. Your agent can request the seller's official chart and the insole length before you pay, and that reply is the evidence you will need later.
Agent policies on size disputes differ. Compare current terms on the agents page or side by side with the comparison tool before placing a large order.
Sizing questions, answered
The questions buyers ask most often between adding an item to the cart and paying for it.