Metric Sizing
October 23, 2025 - October 23, 2025
METRIC SIZING
| Size codes – numerical | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Size codes ”“ chest size | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 |
54 |
56 | 58 | 60 |
| Chest size – centimetres | 92 | 96 | 100 | 104 | 108 | 112 | 116 | 120 |
| Approx. imperial conversion – inches | 36.5″ | 38″ | 39.5″ | 41 | 42.5″ | 44″ | 45.5″ |
47″ |
Size Labelling
The Clothing Manufacturers Association in 1980 recommended that, in the short term, manufacturers should show a metric conversion of their imperial measurements on their garment labels eg.
Chest 38” 40” 42” 46” 48” 50”
Sizes 97 102 107 112 117 127
but that they should move towards a metric system of sizing. The Association recommended that the following continental system should be adopted. Men’s outerwear (suits, jackets, coats-jackets) ”“ 4cm size intervals (inclusion of the 100 cm chest size). Trousers ”“ 4cm waist interval between neck sizes. Shirt ”“ 1cm interval between neck sizes.
Many European manufactures also use a numeric size coding. The chart above shows continental codes with chest sizes in 4cm intervals and imperial conversions. Additional information such as leg lengths on shirts may be included as additional information by the manufacturer.
The British Standards Institution has established a size designation system, BS 6185: 1982 (1988), that indicates (in a simple, direct and meaningful manner) the body size of the man that a garment is intended to fit. The size designation of the system is based on body and not garment measurements.
The size designation of each garment should comprise the control dimensions in centimetres of the intended wearer of the garment. Where practical, the standard pictogram should be used as a means of indicating the size designation. Where it is not practicable to use the standard pictogram, the numerical value of the control dimensions should be given, together with the descriptive words such as chest girth, waist girth, ect.
Examples of labels for men’s outerwear
Chest Girth 96 Waist Girth 84
Height 170-176
Inside Leg Length 80
Man’s suit
Comments on sizing 1996
If you examine men’s clothing on the high street you will find that whilst many of the fashion outlets (aimed at younger men) have changed to metric sizing, most British Manufacturers producing conventional clothing have retained imperial sizing and are showing approximate metric conversion. Some manufacturers who adopted metric sizing (4cm intervals) had to revert to imperial sizing on the demands of their retail customers. One has to accept that there are problems for manufacturers: using 4cm trouser waist or jacket chest intervals produces sizes that customers are unused to.
The introduction of numeric codes for SMALL, MEDIUM. LARGE has caused further confusion; it is not necessary in line with the numeric coding system used by many European manufacturers. However, the amount of information on the labels has increased. Most manufacturers do include the metric equivalent if they are still sizing in imperial measurements; some also give a roughly equivalent coded Euro-size. In fact some labels have so many alternatives that the customer is confused.
The British Standards Institution is aware of the confusion and is about to establish committees to investigate men’s sizing in Europe as well as British and it is hoped that they will make some recommendations for a coherent method of sizing and labelling.
SIZE CHARTS
Any of the chart construction is determined by two main factors: the type of garment and the target market.
(a) Type of garment Different size charts are required for different types of garments e.g.: suits ”“ based on chest size; trousers ”“ based on waist size; shirts ”“ based on neck size.
(b) Market The actual measurements in the chart are determined by the type of market at which the design is aimed. The sample size of suits and casual wear is usually based on the 100cm chest size and the 39 cm or 40 cm neck (collar) size for shirts.
SAMPLE SIZES
Manufactures produce sample garments which are used to show buyers. The sample size will depend on the type of market at which the design is aimed. The sample size of suits and casual wear is usually based on the 100 cm chest size and the 39cm or 40 cm neck (collar) size for shirts.
Small – Medium – Large -XL Sizes
The actual measurements applied under the labels SMALL, MEDIUM, LARGE, XLARGE ect. depend on the breadth and the type of market that is targeted. Manufacturers targeting the mature man will usually offer sizing that fits the man of average height. Intervals of 8cm between the size labels give good divisions and many manufacturers are now using them.
Where the ’MEDIUM’ size is placed is often a marketing decision. Some manufacturers have responded to retail demands that the size ’SMALL’ is removed from the range or numeric codes are introduced because customers dislike being labelled small.
|
SMALL (92-96) |
MEDIUM (100 – 104) |
LARGE (108-112) |
XLARGE (116-120) |
| chest 96 | 104 | 112 | 120 |
| or | |||
| SMALL | MEDIUM | LARGE | XLARGE |
| (88-92) | (96-100) | (104-108) | (112-116) |
| chest 92 | 100 | 108 | 116 |
Body Measurements Chart for Small-Medium-Large-XLarge Sizes
The size chart offered below uses the range of Example 2 shown above. It is for the younger unisex (athletic) market and has some height differtial included in the larger sizes.
| CHEST SIZES BETWEEN | SMALL | MED | LARGE | XLARGE |
|
A CHEST |
92 |
100 | 108 |
116 |
| B SEAT | 94 | 102 | 110 | 118 |
| C NATURAL WAIST | 75 | 83 | 91 | 99 |
|
D TROUSER WAIST (4cm below natural waist) |
78 | 86 | 94 | 102 |
| E-F HALF BACK | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| G-H NATURAL WAIST LENGTH | 44 | 44.8 | 45.6 | 46.4 |
| G-I SCYE DEPTH | 23 | 24.6 | 26.2 | 27.8 |
| J NECK SIZE | 39 | 41 | 43 | 45 |
| K-L SLEEVE LENGTH, ONE -PIECE SLEEVE | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 |
| E-M SLEEVE LENGHT, TWO-PIECE SLEEVE | 80 | 82 | 84 | 86 |
| N-O INSIDE LEG | 79 | 81 | 83 | 85 |
| P-Q BODY RISE | 27.5 | 28.5 | 29.5 | 30.5 |
| R CLOSE WRIST MEASUREMENT | 16.8 | 17.6 | 18.4 | 19.2 |
|
EXTRA MEASUREMENTS GARMENT LENGTH TROUSER BOTTOM MEASUREMENT JEANS BOTTOM MEASUREMENT. |
24 21 |
25 22 |
26 23 |
27 24 |
Standard Body Measurements – Mature Figure (Regular Men’s Sizing)
Height 170cm-178cm (5 ft 7 in-5 ft 10 in)
A SIZE CHART FOR OVERGARMENTS, TROUSERS .
|
A |
CHEST |
88 |
92 |
96 |
100 |
104 |
108 |
112 |
116 |
120 |
|
B |
SEAT |
92 |
96 |
100 |
104 |
108 |
114 |
118 |
122 |
126 |
|
C |
NATURAL WAIST |
74 |
78 |
82 |
86 |
90 |
98 |
102 |
106 |
110 |
|
D |
TROUSER WAIST (4cms below natural waist) |
77 |
81 |
85 |
89 |
93 |
100 |
104 |
108 |
112 |
|
E-F |
HALF BACK |
18.5 |
19 |
19.5 |
20 |
20.5 |
21 |
21.5 |
22 |
22.5 |
|
G-H |
NATURAL WAIST LENGTH |
43.4 |
22 |
22.8 |
23.6 |
24.4 |
25.2 |
26 |
26.8 |
17.2 |
|
G-I |
SCYE DEPTH |
22 |
22.8 |
23.6 |
24.4 |
25.2 |
26 |
26.4 |
26.8 |
17.2 |
|
J |
NECK SIZE |
17 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
44 |
45 |
|
K-L |
SLEEVE LENGTH, ONE-PIECE SLEEVE |
63.6 |
64.2 |
64.8 |
65.4 |
66 |
66 |
66 |
66 |
66 |
|
E-M |
SLEEVE LENGTH, TWO-PIECE SLEEVE |
79 |
80 |
81 |
82 |
83 |
83.5 |
84 |
84.5 |
85 |
|
N-O |
INSIDE LEG |
78 |
79 |
80 |
81 |
82 |
82 |
82 |
82 |
82 |
|
P-Q |
BODY RISE |
26.8 |
27.2 |
27.6 |
28 |
28.4 |
28.8 |
29.2 |
29.6 |
30 |
|
R |
CLOSE WRIST MEASUREMENT |
16.4 |
16.8 |
17.2 |
17.6 |
18 |
18.4 |
18.8 |
19.2 |
19.6 |
|
|
EXTRA MEASUREMENTS |
|||||||||
|
|
GARMENT LENGTH |
Varies with type of garment and with fashion |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CUFF SIZE, TWO PIECE SLEEVE |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
31.6 |
32.2 |
32.8 |
33.4 |
|
|
TROUSER BOTTOM MEASUREMENT |
23.5 |
24 |
24.5 |
25 |
25.5 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
26 |
|
|
JEANS BOTTOM MEASUREMNTS |
20.5 |
21 |
21.5 |
22 |
22.5 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
A size Chart for Shirts – Mature and Athletic Figures
|
|
NECK (COLLAR SIZE) |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
44 |
45 |
|
A |
CHEST |
88 |
92 |
96 |
100 |
104 |
108 |
112 |
116 |
120 |
|
G-1 |
SCYCE DEPTH |
22 |
22.8 |
23.6 |
24.4 |
25.2 |
26 |
26.4 |
26.8 |
27.2 |
|
G-H |
NATURAL WAIST LENGTH |
43.4 |
43.8 |
44.2 |
44.6 |
45 |
45 |
45 |
45 |
45 |
|
E-F |
HALF BACK |
18.5 |
19 |
19.5 |
20 |
20.5 |
21 |
21.5 |
22 |
22.5 |
|
G-M |
SLEEVE LENGTH FOR SHIRTS |
84 |
84 |
85 |
85 |
85 |
87 |
87 |
87 |
87 |
|
|
SHIRT LENGTH |
76 |
78 |
80 |
81 |
81 |
82 |
82 |
82 |
82 |
|
|
CUFF SIZE FOR SHIRTS |
22 |
22.5 |
22.5 |
23 |
23 |
23.5 |
23.5 |
24 |
24 |
Standard Body Measurements – Athletic Figure
Height 170cm – 178cm (5 ft 7 in-5 ft 10 in)
|
A |
CHEST |
88 |
92 |
96 |
100 |
104 |
108 |
112 |
|
B |
SEAT |
90 |
94 |
98 |
102 |
106 |
110 |
114 |
|
C |
NATURAL WAIST |
71 |
75 |
79 |
83 |
87 |
91 |
95 |
|
D |
TROUSER WAIST(4cm below natural waist) |
74 |
78 |
82 |
86 |
90 |
94 |
98 |
|
E-F |
HALF BACK |
18.5 |
19 |
19.5 |
20 |
20.5 |
24 |
21.5 |
|
G-H |
NATURAL WAIST LENGTH |
43.4 |
43.8 |
44.2 |
44.6 |
45 |
45.4 |
45.8 |
|
G-I |
SCYCE DEPTH |
22 |
22.8 |
23.6 |
24.4 |
25.2 |
25.6 |
26 |
|
J |
NECK SIZE |
37 |
38 |
39 |
40 |
41 |
42 |
43 |
|
K-L |
SLEEVE LENGTH, ONE-PIECE SLEEVE |
63.6 |
64.2 | 64.8 | 65.4 | 66 | 66 | 66 |
|
E-M |
SLEEVE LENGTH, TWO-PIECE SLEEVE |
79 |
80 |
81 |
82 |
83 |
83.5 |
84 |
|
N-O |
INSIDE LEG |
78 |
79 |
80 |
81 |
82 |
82.5 |
83 |
|
P-Q |
BODY RISE |
26.8 |
27.2 |
27.6 |
28 |
28.4 |
28.8 |
29.2 |
|
R |
CLOSE WRIST MEASUREMENT |
16.4 |
16.8 |
17.2 |
17.6 |
18 |
18.4 |
18.8 |
|
|
EXTRA MEASUREMENTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GARMENT LENGTH |
varies with type of garment and fashion |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CUFF SIZE, TWO-PIECE SLEEVE |
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
31 |
32 |
|
|
TROUSER BOTTOM MEASUREMENT |
23.5 |
24 |
24.5 |
25 |
25.5 |
26 |
26 |
|
|
JEANS BOTTOM |
20.5 |
21 | 21.5 | 22 | 22.5 | 23 | 23 |
Adjustments for short or tall figures
Size charts for tall or short men have ach vertical measurement adjusted as follows
|
SHORT 162 cm – 170 cm (5ft 4 in – 5 ft 7 in) |
TALL 178 cm – 186 cm | |
|
NATURAL WAIST LENGTH |
-2cm | +2cm |
|
SCYCE DEPTH |
-1cm | +1cm |
|
SLEEVE LENGTH |
-2.5cm | +2.5cm |
|
GARMENT LENGTH |
-4cm | +4cm |
|
INSIDE LEG |
-4cm | +4cm |
|
BODY RISE |
no change | +1cm |
