You've found the trainers that sold out everywhere at home, the Levi's in the wash and cut that you've been looking for, the dress that costs considerably less on the American website.

There's just one problem: What is a US size 8?

American sizing can be confusing for international shoppers because clothing, shoes, jeans, and children's clothes all use slightly different systems. Worse still, a US size 8 from one fashion brand isn't guaranteed to fit exactly like a US 8 from another. So, before you take a guess and hope for the best, here's what those American sizes actually mean.

US women's clothing sizes: the quick conversion

For women's clothing, a useful starting point is that a US size is generally four numbers lower than its UK equivalent.

So, a US 8 is approximately a UK 12.

European sizing uses another numbering system again.

So, if you usually wear a UK 12, you'll generally start by looking at a US 8. If you're usually an EU 38, a US 6 is your approximate equivalent, but the important word here is "approximate".

Why a US size 8 isn't always a US size 8

The problem for international shoppers is that there isn't one universal fit shared by every American clothing brand. Just as with UK brands and labels, a dress labeled US 8 could fit differently depending on the retailer, cut, fabric, and style. The same applies to familiar labels such as S, M, and L. This means that a conversion chart is useful when you're trying to work out your likely US size, but you should also check the individual retailer's measurements before ordering. If the retailer tells you that its US 8 corresponds to a particular bust, waist, and hip measurement, trust that information over a generic conversion table. Measuring yourself may seem like an unnecessary hassle, but five minutes and a tape measure will cost you a lot less than an international return.

What about American jeans?

American jeans can be easier to understand because many are sold according to measurements in inches. You might see something like: W28 L30. Similar to some UK brands, the W is the waist measurement and the L is the inside leg, or inseam, both measured in inches. So W28 L30 means a 28-inch waist with a 30-inch inseam.

You may also encounter jeans sold using standard US women's dress sizes, so don't assume every pair of American jeans follows the same system; the safest option is to check whether the retailer is giving you a dress size, waist measurement, or actual garment measurement before you buy.

US men's clothing sizes are a little easier

Men's US and UK clothing sizing often has more in common because many garments use measurements in inches. Trousers might be listed as 32 x 32, for example, meaning a 32-inch waist and 32-inch inseam. Jackets and suits may use chest measurements, while shirts may be sized by neck and sleeve measurements.

European menswear sizing looks quite different numerically. A US or UK 40 jacket, for example, is commonly around an EU 50, so actual measurements are more useful than the letter or number on the label.

US shoe sizes: the plot thickens

Shoes are where you need to pay particular attention. US men's and women's shoes use different numbering systems, which means a US women's 8 and a US imen's 8 are not the same size. Just to make things even more complicated, simple conversion rules aren't reliable enough across every brand.

Take Nike as an example. Its current footwear chart converts a US women's 8 to UK 5.5 and EU 39, while a US men's 8 converts to UK 7 and EU 41.

The examples provided use Nike specifically because shoe conversions can vary between brands, so if you're buying Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Converse, or another US brand, use that brand's own chart rather than assuming the conversion will be identical.

The safest way to buy US shoes online is to know your foot length. It sounds obvious, but measuring your feet and comparing the result with the brand's own size chart is much safer than thinking, "I'm always a UK 6."

Nike itself recommends measuring from your heel to your longest toe, measuring both feet, and using the longer measurement when choosing a size, and if you're between sizes, check the brand's specific guidance before ordering. This becomes particularly important when you're buying from overseas as exchanging a pair of shoes that has been bought internationally can be more complex than a simple online or store return.

What does XS, S, M, L, and XL mean in America?

Letter sizing is another area that needs clarity as different stores and brands have different guidelines. US retailers commonly use: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, but the measurements attached to those sizes vary hugely by brand.

As a rough guide, women's US sizing commonly falls around the table below, but don't rely on that as an absolute as some higher fashion brands tend to size small, with a UK 12-14 coming up as L or even XL.

Kids' US sizes

US children's clothing tends to use age-based sizes, while footwear can include infant, child, and youth sizing that follows a similar format to adult sizing. Trainers may also carry a Y for youth: on Nike's current chart, for example, US Kids' sizing runs through sizes such as 4Y, 5Y, 6Y, and 7Y. If you're buying for children, age should only be a starting point. Check height, chest, waist, or foot-length measurements wherever the retailer provides them and be sure to consider growth room and opt for a size up if they're in between sizes.

Five things to check before ordering US clothes or shoes

Before you hit checkout, check:

1. Which sizing system is being used. US women's, men's, and youth shoe sizes can all be different.
2. The retailer's own size chart. This should take priority over a generic conversion.
3. Your actual measurements. Bust, waist, hips, inseam, chest, and foot length are far more useful than guessing.
4. The product reviews. Look for comments such as "runs small," "oversized," or "size up."
5. The returns policy. Check what happens if your international purchase doesn't fit.

The extra two minutes can save you from receiving something beautifully packaged and completely unwearable.

Buying US clothing and shoes with Stackry

One of the advantages of shopping directly from US websites is access to ranges you may not see elsewhere.

That could mean different sneaker colorways, US-only collections, wider size availability, outlet deals, or simply a much bigger selection than your local version of the same retailer offers.

If the US store you want to shop with doesn't deliver internationally, Stackry gives you a US shipping address to use when ordering from eligible retailers. This means that you can shop from US stores as though you're in the US, and benefit from free shipping where it applies. Your purchases are delivered to Stackry first: we store them securely and then forward them to you when you're ready.

You can also shop across several US retailers before arranging delivery; eligible packages can be consolidated into a single shipment, and unnecessary retailer packaging can be removed through repacking. So, if those trainers happen to turn into sneakers, jeans, a hoodie, and a sale you definitely hadn't planned, you don't necessarily need four separate international shipments, which means that you can save even more on the haul shipped to your door.

Frequently asked questions

What is a US size 8 in the UK?

A US women's clothing size 8 is generally equivalent to a UK 12 and EU 40. Sizing varies between brands, so check the retailer's measurements before ordering.

What is a UK size 10 in US clothing?

A UK women's size 10 is generally a US size 6, or approximately EU 38.

Is a US women's shoe size the same as a US men's?

No. US men's and women's footwear use different numbering. Always check which system the retailer is using.

What is a US women's size 8 shoe in the UK?

It varies by brand. Nike, for example, currently converts a US women's 8 to UK 5.5 and EU 39. Check the shoe manufacturer's own conversion chart before purchasing.

Are US and UK men's clothing sizes the same?

They can be similar because many men's garments use measurements in inches, particularly trousers, shirts, and jackets. However, fit and sizing still vary between brands.

Can I order US clothes if the retailer doesn't ship internationally?

A parcel forwarding service can provide a US delivery address for eligible purchases, which can then be forwarded to your international address.

Getting the size right

US sizing looks confusing until you know what you're looking at. For women's clothing, subtracting four from your UK size gives you a useful starting point. Men's clothing is often based on familiar inch measurements. Jeans may give you the waist and inseam directly, and shoes may need a bit more careful attention to make sure you're ordering the right size.

Check whether you're looking at men's, women's, or youth sizing, measure your feet, and use the individual brand's conversion chart rather than relying on a universal formula. Getting the sizing right can take a little while, but when that perfect item of clothing arrives on your doorstep, it'll definitely be worth it.