Complete Japanese clothing size conversion guide for foreigners and expats. Women, men, shoes, bra sizes with conversion tables. Tips for finding larger sizes in Japan.

Japanese Clothing Sizes Conversion Guide for Foreigners

Shopping for clothes in Japan can be a surprisingly confusing experience for foreigners. Japanese sizing standards differ significantly from Western measurements, and what fits perfectly at home may not even go on in a Japanese store. Whether you're visiting Japan for a week or settling in as a long-term expat, understanding the Japanese clothing size system is essential for stress-free shopping.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Japanese clothing sizes — from women's and men's conversions to shoes, bras, and children's clothing — plus practical tips for finding clothes that actually fit your body.

!A foreigner looking at clothing size charts in a Japanese store

Why Japanese Clothing Sizes Run Smaller

The fundamental reason Japanese clothing runs smaller than Western sizes comes down to body proportions. The average Japanese man stands at 171 cm (5'7") and weighs around 62 kg, while the average Japanese woman is 158 cm (5'2") and weighs around 50 kg. In contrast, the average American man is about 177 cm (5'10") and the average American woman is 163 cm (5'4").

Japanese clothing manufacturers design their garments to fit the average Japanese body, which means foreigners — especially those from North America, Europe, or Australia — will often need to size up significantly. According to the Japan Fashion Association, approximately 67% of foreign shoppers struggle with Japanese sizing when they first arrive.

The issue isn't just height. Japanese cuts tend to be narrower through the shoulders, hips, and chest. Even if your length fits, the width may be too narrow. This is especially common for people with broader shoulders or curvier body shapes.

Women's Clothing Size Conversion

Women's clothing sizes in Japan use a numeric system that differs from both US and UK sizing. As a general rule, US sizes are approximately 5 sizes larger than Japanese sizes.

Japanese Size	US Size	UK Size	EU Size	Bust (cm)	Waist (cm)	Hip (cm)
5 (XS)	0-2	4-6	32-34	76-79	58-61	82-85
7 (S)	2-4	6-8	34-36	79-82	61-64	85-88
9 (M)	4-6	8-10	36-38	82-86	64-67	88-92
11 (L)	8-10	10-12	38-40	86-90	67-70	92-96
13 (XL)	10-12	12-14	40-42	90-94	70-74	96-100
15 (XXL)	12-14	14-16	42-44	94-98	74-78	100-104
17 (3XL)	14-16	16-18	44-46	98-103	78-83	104-109

For UK sizes, the conversion is simpler: add 1 to the UK size to get the Japanese size (UK 8 = Japanese 9, UK 10 = Japanese 11).

Important note about "Free Size": Many Japanese garments are labeled "Free Size" (フリーサイズ), which typically fits Japanese women around 158 cm. If you're taller or have a larger frame, "Free Size" items may be too short, too narrow, or just generally ill-fitting.

For more general shopping advice in Japan, check out our Complete Guide to Shopping in Japan for Foreigners.

Men's Clothing Size Conversion

Men's clothing in Japan uses a mix of lettered sizes (S, M, L, XL, LL, 3L) and numeric sizes. The key thing to remember is that Japanese S corresponds roughly to Western XS, and Japanese sizes run about one to two sizes smaller overall.

Dress Shirts (collar size in cm):

US/UK Size	Japanese Size
14 inch	36
14.5 inch	37
15 inch	38
15.5 inch	39
16 inch	40
16.5 inch	41

General Men's Clothing:

Japanese	US	UK	Chest (cm)
S	XS	XS	82-86
M	S	S	86-90
L	M	M	90-94
XL/LL	L	L	94-98
2L/3L	XL	XL	98-106
4L	XXL	XXL	106-114

Pants: Japanese men's pants are typically sized by waist measurement in centimeters. To convert your waist size: multiply inches by 2.54 (e.g., 32 inch waist = 81 cm).

For context on adjusting to daily life as a foreigner in Japan, you might also want to read our Complete Guide to Daily Life in Japan for Foreigners.

Shoe Size Conversion for Japan

Japanese shoe sizes are measured in centimeters (the length of your foot), which is actually a very logical system once you get used to it. Simply measure your foot length in centimeters and that's your Japanese shoe size.

JP Size (cm)	US Women	US Men	UK Women	UK Men	EU
22.0	5	—	2.5	—	34-35
23.0	6	—	3.5	5	36-37
24.0	7.5	6	5	5.5	38
25.0	8.5	7	6	6.5	39-40
26.0	9.5	8	7.5	7.5	41
27.0	10.5	9	8.5	8.5	42-43
28.0	—	10	—	9.5	43-44
29.0	—	11	—	10.5	44-45

The big challenge: Japanese shoe stores typically stock women's shoes up to around 25 cm (US 8.5) and men's shoes up to 27-28 cm (US 9-10). If you wear larger sizes, you'll need to shop at specialty stores or online.

For men's larger shoe sizes, Sakazen and specialty Big and Tall retailers carry wider selections. Zozotown's Zozomat feature also allows you to scan your feet with a smartphone for precise measurements before ordering online.

Bra Size Conversion in Japan

Bra sizing in Japan differs considerably from Western systems, and this is one area where many foreign women find the transition particularly confusing.

Band Size Conversion:

US/UK Band	Japanese Band
30	65
32	70
34	75
36	80
38	85
40	90

Japanese band sizes increase in multiples of 5 cm, while US/UK sizes increase in 2-inch increments.

Cup Size: Japanese cup sizes follow a similar lettered system (A, B, C, D, E, F, G), but the cups tend to run smaller. As a general rule, size up one to two cup sizes when buying Japanese bras. For example, a US 34B would typically correspond to a Japanese 75C or 75D.

Also note that Japanese bras rarely come in sizes larger than E or F cups in regular stores. For larger cup sizes, specialty lingerie stores or online shopping is your best option.

!Japanese clothing size chart comparison showing US EU and Japanese sizes

Children's Clothing Sizes in Japan

Japanese children's clothing uses a highly practical system: sizes are based on height in centimeters. This makes it easy to find the right size without worrying about age-based sizing, which can vary significantly between brands.

Japanese Size (cm)	Age (approximate)	Height Range
60	0-3 months	55-65 cm
70	3-6 months	65-75 cm
80	6-12 months	75-85 cm
90	1-2 years	85-95 cm
100	2-3 years	95-105 cm
110	3-5 years	105-115 cm
120	5-7 years	115-125 cm
130	7-9 years	125-135 cm
140	9-11 years	135-145 cm
150	11-13 years	145-155 cm
160	13-15 years	155-165 cm

Children's sizing is generally more forgiving than adult sizing in terms of fit variations. For guidance on raising children in Japan, our Complete Guide to Raising Children in Japan covers education, healthcare, and everyday life.

Where to Find Larger Sizes in Japan

One of the most common frustrations for foreigners in Japan is finding clothing in larger sizes. The good news is that options have improved significantly in recent years.

Specialty Stores for Larger Sizes:

Sakazen — One of the best options for men's Big and Tall clothing, carrying sizes up to 9L. Located mainly in Tokyo.
Punyus — Trendy women's fashion in sizes up to 6L (approximately US size 22-24). Founded by comedian Watanabe Naomi.
Shimamura — Budget-friendly nationwide chain with dedicated plus-size sections.
AEON — Large supermarket/mall chain with plus-size sections in women's and men's departments.

Western Brands That Use Western Sizing:

H&M — Generally stocks Western-equivalent sizing; an M in H&M Japan feels like an M in Europe.
Gap — Carries Western-style sizing in stores and online.
Zara — European sizing, generally runs larger than Japanese brands.
Uniqlo — While a Japanese brand, Uniqlo has expanded its size range significantly online (XL through 4XL available on their website with in-store pickup).

Online Shopping: Online shopping provides the widest size selection in Japan. Zozotown is Japan's largest fashion e-commerce platform and carries thousands of brands with detailed size charts. Rakuten Fashion and Amazon Japan also have extensive selections.

For a deeper dive into navigating Japanese retail, Clothes Shopping in Japan as a Foreigner from Interac is an excellent resource, and Clothes and Shoes Shopping in Japan from Japan Handbook provides great practical tips.

Practical Tips for Shopping in Japan

Before you go shopping:

Measure yourself in centimeters (height, chest/bust, waist, hips, inseam, foot length)
Write these measurements down or save them in your phone
Know your measurements for multiple size systems to help staff assist you

While shopping:

Always try things on when possible — Japanese sizes can vary significantly by brand
Japanese staff are usually very helpful; show them your measurements if you're unsure
When staff offer a face cover before trying on tops, this is standard hygiene practice — accept it
Remove shoes before entering fitting room areas (this is standard etiquette)
"Free Size" items are designed for average Japanese body types; approach with caution

For taller individuals:

Look specifically for brands offering Tall or Long variations online
Department stores like Marui (0101) sometimes carry longer inseam options
Consider alteration services (Reform shops) — they are widely available and affordable in Japan

Online resources:

Navigating Japanese Clothing Sizes from KCP International offers a comprehensive overview
Living in Nihon Fashion and Beauty Guide covers broader fashion tips for foreigners living in Japan
For Work in Japan has resources on daily life essentials including shopping in Japan
Ittenshoku provides practical guides for foreigners navigating Japanese daily life

Summary: Quick Reference Size Conversion

Here is a quick cheat sheet you can save to your phone before shopping:

Category	Rule of Thumb
Women's tops/bottoms	Size up 4-5 sizes from US size
Men's shirts (collar)	Japanese size = collar in cm (US 15 = Japanese 38)
Men's pants	Japanese size = waist in cm (32 inches = 81 cm)
Women's shoes	Japanese size = foot length in cm
Men's shoes	Japanese size = foot length in cm
Bra band	US 32 = Japanese 70, US 34 = Japanese 75, US 36 = Japanese 80
Bra cup	Size up 1-2 cups
Children's	Japanese size = child's height in cm

Understanding Japanese clothing sizes takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, shopping in Japan becomes much more enjoyable. The quality of Japanese clothing is generally excellent, and with the right size knowledge, you'll be able to take full advantage of Japan's amazing fashion scene. For more on navigating daily life as a foreigner in Japan, explore our Complete Guide to Japanese Culture and Etiquette.