German Clothing Size Guide: Accurate Conversion Charts & Fit Tips

Buying clothes from Germanywhether it’s high-end tailoring or streetwear from Berlincomes with a specific hurdle: the fit. German sizing isn’t just generic “European sizing.” It relies on specific measurements from the Hohenstein Institute that often assume a slightly taller, broader frame than typical Italian or French cuts.

If you blindly rely on a standard international conversion chart, you will likely end up dealing with international returns. We have analyzed the 2025 sizing standards to give you the practical rules of thumband the specific mathto get it right the first time.

The “Street Math” of German Sizing

Before diving into the charts, here is the practitioner’s shortcut. If you are standing in a store in Munich or browsing online, memorize these three simple calculations. They work for about 90% of standard German brands:

• Women’s Rule (-32): Take the German size and subtract 32 to get the US size. (e. g., German 38 – 32 = US 6).
• Men’s Suit Rule (-10): Take the German size and subtract 10 to get the US chest size. (e. g., German 50 – 10 = US 40).
• Men’s Trouser Rule (+16): Take your US waist size in inches and add 16 to find your German size. (e. g., US 32 + 16 = German 48).

Women’s Clothing Sizes

German women’s sizes are notoriously generous compared to their neighbors in France or Italy. A German 38 is roughly equivalent to a French 40 or Italian 42. If you are shopping on major platforms like Zalando, always check if the brand is German native or international, as this shifts the baseline.

The Conversion Chart (DE to US)

Men’s Clothing Sizes

Men’s sizing in Germany is split into three main categories: Normal sizes (Normale Größen), Short sizes (Untersetzt), and Tall sizes (Schlank). The charts below focus on the “Normal” standard, which fits men with a height between 170cm and 185cm.

Suits and Jackets (-10 Rule)

This is the easiest conversion in fashion. Simply subtract 10 from the German size to get your US/UK chest size in inches.

Men’s Trousers and Jeans (+16 Rule)

German trouser sizes are not based on waist inches like denim; they are a unique scale. Use the formula: US Waist + 16 = German Size.

Men’s Shirts (Neck Size)

German dress shirts are sized by neck circumference in centimeters. If you know your inch measurement, multiply by 2.54 or use the chart below.

Plus Sizes (Große Größen)

For sizes 5XL and up, the German system extends into the 60s and 70s. These are often labeled as “Übergrößen” (Oversizes).

German Shoe Size Conversion

German shoe sizes are identical to standard EU sizes. However, because the US system includes half sizes that don’t perfectly align with the EU whole number system, there are often gaps. Here is the most accurate mapping for 2025.

Women’s Shoes

Men’s Shoes

Children’s Sizes: The Height Rule

This is where many parents get confused. German children’s clothes are not sized by age (like “2T” or “4Y”) but by total body height in centimeters. If your child is 102cm tall, you buy size 104 (always round up).

Shopping Smart in Germany

Once you have your size dialed in, the next step is finding the right stores. If you are budget conscious, we have curated a list of the top 10 cheap clothes shopping sites in Germany that offer great value. For those who love hunting for unique vintage pieces where sizing might differ (vintage runs small!), check out our guide to the top 6 flea markets in Germany.

Finally, if you are looking to explore fashion beyond the German borders, you might find inspiration in our review of the best Ukrainian fashion brands available online.