Women's pants sizing is notoriously inconsistent across brands, making it one of the most frustrating aspects of clothing shopping. This guide demystifies the various sizing systems, helps you take accurate measurements, and provides reliable conversion charts for international shopping.
Waist: Measure at your natural waistline, the narrowest part of your torso. For low-rise pants, measure where the waistband will sit on your hips instead.
Hips: Measure around the fullest part of your hips and seat, keeping the tape parallel to the floor. This is often the most important measurement for pants fit.
Inseam: Measure from the crotch to your desired hem length. For full-length pants, measure to the floor while wearing shoes. For cropped or ankle-length styles, measure to your preferred endpoint.
High hip: Measure about 3 inches below your waist. This helps determine where the pants will sit on your body and is especially important for fitted styles.
US numeric sizes: Women's pants typically use even numbers from 0 to 24. Size 0 fits a 23-inch waist and 33-inch hip. Size 4 fits a 26-inch waist and 36-inch hip. Size 8 fits a 28.5-inch waist and 38.5-inch hip. Size 12 fits a 31.5-inch waist and 41.5-inch hip. Size 16 fits a 35-inch waist and 45-inch hip.
Letter sizes: Some brands use XXS through XXL. XXS = size 0-2, XS = 4-6, S = 8-10, M = 12-14, L = 16-18, XL = 20-22, XXL = 24.
European sizes: EU 32 = US 0, EU 34 = US 2, EU 36 = US 4, EU 38 = US 6, EU 40 = US 8, EU 42 = US 10, EU 44 = US 12, EU 46 = US 14.
UK sizes: UK sizes are typically 2 less than US sizes: UK 4 = US 0, UK 6 = US 2, UK 8 = US 4, UK 10 = US 6, UK 12 = US 8.
The fit of pants dramatically affects how a given size wears. Skinny fit pants are cut close to the body through the hip, thigh, and leg. Slim fit offers a narrower cut than regular but not as tight as skinny. Straight leg has a consistent width from hip to ankle. Bootcut flares slightly from the knee down. Wide leg offers a generous cut through the entire leg. Always consider the fit style when selecting your size.
What is the average women's pants size? The average women's pants size in the United States is between size 16 and 18.
Why do women's pants sizes vary so much between brands? Unlike men's pants which use actual body measurements, women's pants use vanity sizing and brand-specific fit standards. This means a size 8 at one brand might fit like a size 10 at another.
How do I convert between US and European sizes? As a general rule, add 30 to your US size to get the European size. US size 8 equals EU 38, US size 12 equals EU 42.
| Size | XXS | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU / IT | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| US | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 |
| Waist Size | 74cm | 78cm | 82cm | 86cm | 90cm | 94cm | 98cm |
| Waist Size | 29" | 30.75" | 32.25" | 33.75" | 35.5" | 37" | 38.5" |
| Hip Size | 86cm | 90cm | 94cm | 98cm | 102cm | 106cm | 110cm |
| Hip Size | 33.75" | 35.5" | 37" | 38.5" | 40" | 41.75" | 43.25" |
| Women's Pants Size Chart Maker : iSizeChart.com | |||||||