What Is Size 38 in US and UK? US to EU Clothing and Shoe Size Chart (2026)

Size 38 in US women’s clothing is typically a US 8, and size 38 in UK size is typically a UK 12. That is the usual conversion for an EU or German 38 (France 40, Italy 44). This 2026 chart also covers US size to EU clothes, Italian size to EU clothing, and US to EU shoe size conversion. A shoe marked EU 38 is not the same as a US clothing size 8 — check the shoe table before you buy.

These charts are a starting point, not a guarantee. Brands use their own blocks, and “vanity sizing” means two garments with the same number can fit differently. When you can, measure yourself and check the retailer’s own size guide. If a US store will not ship to you, sign up for a free Global Shopaholics US address and forward the order home.

What Is Size 38 in US and UK?

For women’s clothes, an EU or German size 38 — the query people type as “what is size 38 in US,” “38 to US size,” or “German size 38 to US” — usually converts as follows:

• Size 38 in US: typically a US women’s 8
• What is 38 in UK size: typically a UK 12
• France, Belgium and Spain: typically 40
• Italy: typically 44 (so an Italian 44 is an EU 38, not a larger EU 44)
• Size 8 in euro (women’s clothes): typically EU 38

For shoes, EU 38 is different. On the Mondopoint-based chart below, EU 38 is typically UK 5.5, US men’s 6.5 and US women’s 7.5, for a foot length of about 24.0 cm. Do not use the clothing conversion for footwear.

US Size to EU Clothes Size Chart (Women’s)

Use this table as an approximate women’s dress, top and pants conversion, including US size to EU clothes, UK, French and Italian numbers. Letter sizes (XS–XXL, and XXS versus XXL) also vary by brand. The previous version of this chart listed US 6 twice and skipped US 8; US 8 is now in the correct row (UK 12, EU 38).

Quick US size to EU clothes checks: US 4 is typically EU 34; US 6 is typically EU 36; US 8 is typically EU 38; US 10 is typically EU 40; US 12 is typically EU 42; US 14 is typically EU 44. A UK 14 is typically a US 10 (EU 40), so “size 14 in EU” depends on whether the starting size is US or UK. UK size 12 in EU is typically EU 38.

Italian Size to EU Clothing

Italian size to EU clothing is usually a straightforward offset: Italian women’s sizes typically run six numbers higher than the German or “EU” size. Italian 44 is typically EU 38 (US 8, UK 12). Italian 46 is typically EU 40 (US 10). Italian 40 is typically EU 34 (US 4). French, Belgian and Spanish sizes typically run two numbers higher than the German size, not six. Confirm with the brand, because some labels print “EU” when they mean a national scale.

Men’s Clothing Size Conversion Chart

For men’s jackets, blazers and many tops, US and UK numeric sizes often share the same chest-based number, while EU (German) sizes are larger numbers. As a typical guide, EU 46 is about a US 36, EU 52 is about a US 42, and EU 44 is about a US 34 — not the same as an Italian 44 in women’s clothing. Treat this as a common retailer convention, then confirm with the brand’s chart and, if possible, the chest measurement in centimetres or inches.

How to Convert European Clothing Sizes (and When Not to Guess)

A widely cited rule of thumb for women’s continental sizes is based on bust circumference in centimetres, as summarized on Wikipedia’s clothing sizes page. The European standard EN 13402 is meant to label clothes by body measurements in centimetres, but many brands still use national numbers instead:

• German / “EU” size ≈ bust (cm) ÷ 2, minus 6
• French size ≈ bust (cm) ÷ 2, minus 4 (typically German + 2)
• Italian size ≈ bust (cm) ÷ 2 (typically German + 6)
• US dress size is often estimated from bust in inches minus 28; UK from bust in inches minus 24 (so UK is typically US + 4)

These formulas explain the table, but they do not replace a tape measure. Height, drop (the difference between bust and hips), and the brand’s block all change the result. If a sweater in German size 38 fits you and the same number feels tight in Italy, you are seeing those national scales — and different cuts — at work.

US to EU Shoe Size Conversion (UK, EU and CM)

Shoe systems also differ. UK adult sizes are used for men and women on the same scale. US sizes usually split men and women; on the scale used below, a US women’s size is typically one size higher than the US men’s size for the same foot length. EU (Paris point) sizes are common on continental shoes. Many Asian and athletic brands also print a centimetre or Mondopoint length.

Mondopoint, described in ISO 9407, is based on foot length (and width) in millimetres. The table below follows the adult conversion published on Wikipedia’s shoe size page, which is aligned with the ISO/TS 19407:2023 conversion approach. Measure your foot length in centimetres, then choose the closest row. If you are between sizes, many people go up rather than down. Brands still differ, especially in width, so treat this as a guide.

For a US to EU shoe size conversion: a US women’s 8 is typically around EU 38.5 (UK 6, foot length about 24.5 cm). A US men’s 8 is typically around EU 40 (UK 7, about 25.5 cm). A foot about 25.0 cm (Mondopoint 250) is typically EU 39.5, UK 6.5, US men’s 7.5 and US women’s 8.5. The old text on this page that compared a US women’s 7 to a UK 9 was incorrect; a US women’s 7 is much closer to UK 5 on this scale.

XXS vs XXL (Letter Sizes)

XXS and XXL sit at opposite ends of the letter-size scale; they are not similar sizes. XXS (extra-extra small) is typically smaller than XS, sometimes used for a size below US 0. XXL (extra-extra large) in the women’s chart above typically covers about US 20–24 (UK 24–28, EU 50–54), though brands vary widely. When a product only lists letters, still compare the retailer’s centimetre or inch measurements if they are published.

How to Measure Yourself Before You Order

• Clothes: Measure bust or chest, waist and hips with a soft tape, standing relaxed. Compare those centimetres or inches with the brand’s size guide, not only the number on a generic chart.
• Shoes: Stand on a sheet of paper, mark heel and longest toe, and measure the distance. Do this in the afternoon, and measure both feet; use the longer one. Note width if the brand offers it.
• Read reviews for fit (“runs small”) and check the return policy of the US store before you pay.
• If you are buying several items, you can ship them to a Global Shopaholics US address and consolidate them into one international shipment.

Shop US Clothing and Shoes and Ship Them Worldwide

US retailers often carry sizes, widths and brands that are hard to find locally, but many will not deliver outside the United States. Create a free US suite with Global Shopaholics, checkout with that address and your unique suite number, then ship the package to your country when you are ready. Use the International Shipping Calculator for a shipping estimate — we do not quote a single rate here because it depends on weight, size and destination. If a store rejects your payment card, Assisted Purchase can place the order for you.

Compare plans if you need longer free storage: 30 days on the Basic Plan, 180 on Premium and 210 on Business. After that, storage is US$1 per lb per day with no cap, and packages are usually liquidated 30 days after free storage ends. For a shoe-focused companion, see our international shoe size conversion chart.

Conclusion

A clothing and shoe size conversion chart will not replace a brand’s own measurements, but it will stop most mix-ups before you pay — including size 38 in US and UK, US size to EU clothes, Italian size to EU clothing, and US to EU shoe size conversion. Measure when you can, and use a free US address if the store will not ship to you. Then consolidate, check the calculator, and forward your order when it is ready.

Frequently Asked Questions