Jacket Sizes (and How To Measure It)

Wearing a well-fitting jacket not only keeps us warm and protected but also boosts our confidence. It’s important to find the right size when shopping for a jacket or making one yourself. With so many styles, sizes, and fits available, it can be a bit confusing to know which one is perfect for you.

In this guide, we will explore the world of jacket sizes, the difference between men’s, women’s, and children’s sizing, and how to measure yourself for the perfect fit. We

Standard Jacket Sizing Systems

When it comes to buying a jacket, it’s important to know about the different sizing systems used around the world. There are three main systems—US, UK, and European sizing. Each system has its own way of defining jacket sizes.

US Sizing

US sizing is commonly used in the United States and Canada. It uses numbers, like 34, 36, or 38, to indicate the size of the jacket. These numbers are often based on the chest measurement in inches. Men’s and women’s sizes are different in this system, with men’s sizes typically larger than women’s.

UK Sizing

UK sizing is very similar to US sizing but is used mainly in the United Kingdom and countries with British influence. The biggest difference is that UK sizes are usually one size smaller than their US counterparts. For example, a US size 38 would be a UK size 37.

European Sizing

European sizing is used in most countries in Europe, as well as some parts of Asia and Africa. This system uses a different set of numbers, like 48, 50, or 52, which are based on the chest measurement in centimeters. To convert US sizes to European sizes, you can add 10 to the US size. For example, a US size 38 would be a European size 48.

Jacket Sizes

Men’s and women’s jackets are measured differently. For men’s jackets, the size is based on the chest circumference, whereas women’s jackets have 3 measurements—the bust, the waist, and the hips.

The following tables describe the typical measurements for men’s and women’s jackets in inches and centimeters. Please note that each brand has their own sizing system, so the exact size figures may vary.

Men’s Jacket Sizes

Letter Size	Number Size/Chest (in)	Chest (cm)
XS	34 to 36	86 to 91
S	36 to 38	91 to 97
M	38 to 40	97 to 102
L	42 to 44	107 to 112
XL	46 to 48	117 to 122
XXL	50 to 52	127 to 132
3XL	54 to 56	137 to 142

Women’s Jacket Sizes

Number Size	Letter Size	Bust (in)	Bust (cm)	Waist (in)	Waist (cm)	Hip (in)	Hip (cm)
6	XS	32 to 33	81 to 84	24 to 25	61 to 63	34 to 35	86 to 89
7	S	34 to 35	86 to 89	26 to 27	66 to 68	36 to 37	91 to 94
7.5	M	36 to 37	91 to 94	28 to 29	71 to 73	38 to 39	97 to 99
8	L	38 to 40	97 to 102	30 to 32	76 to 81	40 to 42	102 to 107
8.5	XL	42 to 44	107 to 112	34 to 36	86 to 91	44 to 46	112 to 117
9	XXL	46 to 48	117 to 122	38 to 40	97 to 102	48 to 50	122 to 127
10	3XL	50 to 52	127 to 132	42 to 44	107 to 112	52 to 54	132 to 137

Children’s Jacket Sizes

Age Group	Chest (in)	Chest (cm)	Waist (in)	Waist (cm)	Hip (in)	Hip (cm)
4 to 5 years	23 to 24	58 to 61	22 to 23	56 to 58	24 to 25	61 to 63
6 to 7 years	25 to 26	63 to 66	23 to 24	58 to 61	26 to 27	66 to 68
8 to 9 years	27 to 28	68 to 71	24 to 25	61 to 63	28 to 29	71 to 73
10 to 11 years	29 to 30	73 to 76	25 to 26	63 to 66	30 to 31	76 to 78
12 to 13 years	31 to 32	78 to 81	26 to 27	66 to 68	32 to 33	81 to 84
14 to 15 years	33 to 34	84 to 86	27 to 28	68 to 71	34 to 35	86 to 89
16 to 17 years	35 to 36	89 to 91	28 to 29	71 to 73	36 to 37	91 to 94

Plus Sizes and Big & Tall Jackets

Size Group	Men’s Chest (in)	Men’s Chest (cm)	Women’s Bust (in)	Women’s Bust (cm)	Women’s Waist (in)	Women’s Waist (cm)	Women’s Hip (in)	Women’s Hip (cm)
1X	46 to 48	117 to 122	42 to 44	107 to 112	34 to 36	86 to 91	44 to 46	112 to 117
2X	50 to 52	127 to 132	46 to 48	117 to 122	38 to 40	97 to 102	48 to 50	122 to 127
3X	54 to 56	137 to 142	50 to 52	127 to 132	42 to 44	107 to 112	52 to 54	132 to 137
4X	58 to 60	147 to 152	54 to 56	137 to 142	46 to 48	117 to 122	56 to 58	142 to 147
5X	62 to 64	157 to 163	58 to 60	147 to 152	50 to 52	127 to 132	60 to 62	152 to 157

Measuring for the Perfect Jacket

A well-fitting jacket can make you look and feel great. To find the perfect fit, you’ll need to measure yourself or an existing jacket that fits you well. Here’s how to do it.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you start, gather a few items:

A soft measuring tape that can easily wrap around your body.
A friend or family member to help you take accurate measurements.

Measuring Your Body

Follow these steps to measure your body for a jacket—Remember to be as accurate as possible and double-check your measurements. Compare your numbers to the size charts provided by the brand to find the best fit.

Chest—Stand up straight with your arms relaxed at your sides. Have your friend wrap the measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, usually just under your armpits. Keep the tape snug but not too tight. Write down the measurement in inches or centimeters.
Waist—Measure around the narrowest part of your waist, usually just above your belly button. Keep the tape snug but not too tight. Write down the measurement.
Hips—Measure around the fullest part of your hips, usually at the top of your thighs. Keep the tape snug but not too tight. Write down the measurement.
Sleeve length—Stand with your arm slightly bent at your side. Ask your friend to measure from the center back of your neck, over your shoulder, down your arm, and to your wrist. Write down the measurement.
Shoulder width—Stand up straight with your arms relaxed at your sides. Have your friend measure from the outer edge of one shoulder to the outer edge of the other shoulder, across your back. Write down the measurement.

Measuring an Existing Jacket

If you have a jacket that fits you well, you can measure it to help you find a similar size. Here’s how:

Lay the jacket on a flat surface, like a table or the floor. Make sure it’s zipped or buttoned up and smoothed out.
Chest—Measure across the front of the jacket, from one armpit seam to the other. Multiply this number by two to get the full chest measurement. Write it down.
Waist—Measure across the narrowest part of the jacket’s front, usually around the middle. Multiply this number by two to get the full waist measurement. Write it down.
Hips—Measure across the widest part of the jacket’s front, usually near the bottom. Multiply this number by two to get the full hip measurement. Write it down.
Sleeve length—Measure from the top of the shoulder seam, along the outer edge of the sleeve, to the end of the cuff. Write it down.
Shoulder width—Measure across the back of the jacket, from one shoulder seam to the other. Write it down.