In short: Chinese and Asian factory size charts almost never match US, UK, or EU sizing directly — a Chinese "L" is often closer to a Western "S" or "M". If you're launching a private-label clothing or footwear line and you hand your factory a Western size chart without converting it first, you risk an entire production run coming back mis-sized. This guide gives you the conversion tables and shows exactly where sizing needs to be locked into your tech pack before production starts.

Last updated: July 21, 2026

Why don't Chinese and Western sizes match?

Sizing standards were developed independently around different national body measurement averages, and there's no single global standard. A garment labeled "L" in a Chinese factory's default block pattern is typically cut for a smaller frame than a US or European "L". The gap is biggest in outerwear and fitted apparel, and smallest in loose, one-size-fits-most items.

How do Chinese clothing sizes convert to US, UK, and EU sizes?

Treat this table as a starting point, not gospel — actual grading varies by factory and garment category. Always request the factory's own size specification sheet (spec sheet) with body measurements in centimeters before finalizing your tech pack.

How do Chinese and Asian shoe sizes convert to US and UK sizes?

Footwear sizing varies more between factories than clothing does, because lasts (the foot-shaped mold used to build a shoe) differ by manufacturer. Always request a sample in your target size before committing to a full production run.

Where does sizing go wrong in private-label production?

Almost every sizing failure Epic Sourcing sees traces back to one of three gaps: the buyer sent a size name ("Large") instead of body measurements, the factory used its own default block pattern instead of the buyer's spec sheet, or nobody checked a pre-production sample against the spec sheet before bulk cutting began.

How should I lock sizing into my tech pack?

Specify body measurements in centimeters for every size in your range, not just size labels. Include a measurement diagram showing exactly where each measurement is taken (chest, waist, inseam, foot length). Request a graded spec sheet from the factory confirming their pattern matches your measurements before cutting. And always inspect a pre-production sample against the spec sheet — this is standard practice in Epic's quality control process for every private-label order.

FAQ

Is Chinese L the same as US L?

No. Chinese "L" typically corresponds closer to a US "M", depending on the garment category and factory. Always convert using body measurements, not size labels alone.

Why do two factories give different size charts for the "same" size?

Because there's no universal Chinese sizing standard enforced across factories — each uses its own block pattern or last, especially for footwear. This is why a spec sheet with actual measurements matters more than a size label.

What measurements should I ask my factory for?

At minimum: chest/bust, waist, hip, and length measurements for apparel; foot length and width for footwear. Ask for these in centimeters, per size, in a spec sheet rather than relying on size names.

Do kids' sizes convert the same way as adult sizes?

No — children's sizing is typically based on age and height bands rather than the S/M/L system, and conventions vary even more by country. Always request an age-and-height-based spec sheet for kidswear.

How do I avoid a mis-sized production run?

Require a pre-production sample in each size range, measure it against your spec sheet before approving bulk cutting, and build this check into your quality control process rather than discovering sizing issues after the goods have shipped.

How Epic Sourcing helps

Epic Sourcing's bilingual teams on the ground in China and Vietnam translate your sizing requirements into a factory-ready spec sheet and physically check pre-production samples against it — catching sizing errors before they become a container full of unsellable stock. For the sourcing process end-to-end, see our End-to-End Sourcing service and our Quality Control & Factory Audits service. If you're sourcing footwear specifically, our Shoes & Footwear Sourcing guide is a useful companion read, and Singapore/SEA importers should also see our Import Duty & GST from China to Singapore guide for landed cost planning. Ready to get your sizing right the first time? Get in touch — no pressure, no obligation.